12/05/2026
Had a great trip with Kevin and team on a five day kayaking expedition around Arran, see trip report below. If you would like to join us I have four spaces left on another five day trip starting on Monday the 18th of May, contact us for more info;
Circumnavigation of Arran – May 2026
Thursday 6th May – Monday 11th May
Packing a sea kayak for the first time can be very challenging; the secret is to stuff small bags in the ends of the hatches first. By the end of the trip everyone always finds lots of extra space. This is partly due to having less food, but also because people discover exactly the right place for tent poles and sleeping bags.
Thursday. Lamlash to Millstone Point, 24 km
After meeting up at 9.30 on Thursday, we drank some coffee and discussed the weather. With force 4–5 winds coming from the south, heading north from Lamlash Bay was definitely the right choice.
After setting off we were blown quickly out of Lamlash Bay, but once round the corner at Clauchlands the seas calmed down and we made our way to Brodick. Our arrival at Brodick coincided with the ferry and, rather than risk going around it and getting the five ‘I do not know your intentions’ blasts of shame from the captain, we waited until the ferry had left port.
After a nourishing lunch at we made our way north to camp at Millstone Point, a great campsite with a fantastic little cave that fitted all six of us very nicely for dinner. We liked it so much we had breakfast in it as well.
Friday. Millstone Point to Catacol Bay, 13 km
The wind, though quite light, was against us today. We were only going 13 km so it wasn’t a big issue. I like to have five days to go round Arran and, if the weather turns against you, you will need all of it. However, with the kind forecast we had, there was time to enjoy stops at the giant millipede tracks north of Laggan Cottage. These Arthropleura tracks are around 320 million years old.
After the obligatory stop at The Sandwich Station we even had time for a game of golf at Lochranza campsite before visiting the the very popular community-owned Lochranza Country Inn.
We arrived in the early evening at our camp at Catacol and spent a lovely evening watching red deer stags crossing the beach.
Saturday. Catacol to Drumadoon, 23 km
After a long carry down to the low tide, a gentle tailwind helped us on our southwards journey. In fact, I would have preferred a bit more wind as this was my first encounter with midges of the year. They weren’t too bad, but it was a good reminder of why our expeditions take place in May and September.
Our first stop was at where the well-stocked shop provided us with some lovely ingredients for a feast that evening. Next door, thelighthousearran.co.uk, supplied soup and coffee, and we were well fuelled to continue on.
The wind picked up and gave us some great surfing moments as we sped along at over 7 km an hour (for those who are not sea kayakers, this is fast!).
Approaching the peninsula at Drumadoon in a northerly swell is a bit intimidating, but there is a cracking wee natural harbour which we were glad to surf into before setting up camp. As it was quite windy (force 4), we decided to walk the 1.5 km up to King’s Cave to enjoy a sheltered evening in the vast, dry cave where all the food bought at Pirnmill Stores was enthusiastically eaten.
Sunday. Drumadoon to Kildonan, 18 km
Our first stop today was after only 1 km at Blackwaterfoot Stores, where the street food trailer also kept us well fed. Although I like to carry enough food in my kayak, it is always nice to visit local shops, and there is tap water available every day on a circumnavigation of Arran. While the water here is generally clean, sea kayakers often fill bottles at the bottom of rivers, so it is always nicer to have safe tap water whenever possible.
After another strong tailwind (we were lucky), we stopped at Cleat Shore. This is Arran’s naturist beach, although with the north winds blowing it was far too cold to get naked.
When we reached our destination just west of Kildonan, everyone made use of the natural shower provided by the waterfall beside our camp. An evening stroll to visit the Chirotherium footprint, followed by another lovely fire on the beach, was a perfect way to spend our final evening.
Monday. Kildonan to Lamlash via Pladda, 18 km
As the winds were fairly light, we decided to extend the trip by taking in Pladda. This is a fascinating island with lots of wildlife and a very impressive lighthouse that provided a sheltered snack spot.
On the next leg towards Whiting Bay the group were treated to a good view of an otter, definitely the best wildlife sighting of the trip.
We were still a bit cold and really appreciated the kind staff at Bay Stores, who let six soggy paddlers sit at their coffee table to enjoy lunch.
That just left the final leg from King’s Cross back to Lamlash, where the wind shifted once again to give us one final tailwind to finish the trip.
Kayakers : 6, Days :5, Caves :4, Fires :3, Otters :2, Showers :1, Capsizes: 0 :-)
The Bay Kitchen & Stores Lochranza Country Inn Ltd
