Laggan coastal geology & heritage walk

 | Overview

Technical Rating

Moderate  

Easy scrambling, elements of exposure, some rough terrain.

Endurance Rating

2  

Long distance, some steep ascent and descent, moderate amount of stamina needed in bursts, suitable for reasonably fit walkers. Have had recent experience of walking for 5-7 hours? Have you recently walked up (and down) hills without physical too much distress? If your answer is "No", we'd guess you'd be happier doing a walk rated a level lower than the one you’ve just read! As noted previously, we're into FUN so we don't want you to miss out by overdoing it.

 | Photo Gallery

 | Walk description

This circular walk passes some of Arran’s iconic geological sites and takes in stunning mountain and coastal views with good chances of spotting wildlife. Clues to the area’s rich history can be found in its Gaelic place names and traces of human lives long gone abound.

Starting in Lochranza bay, the route leaves the village via the Narachan track, which soon turns into a rough hill path climbing high above the Boguillie road with spectacular views opening up south to the mountains. The path winds its way up to the highest point of the walk, a small pass from which follows a steep descent towards the coast at Laggan cottage. There are brilliant views of the Clyde, with the atmospheric ruins of the abandoned Cock farm adding to the interest of this stretch.

Heading west along the Arran Coastal Way from lonely Laggan cottage, crumbling traces of Arran’s industrial past are encountered. A fascinating highlight of the route is a fossilised trackway of the largest invertebrate to have ever lived on land.

Next there is Ossian’s cave to explore, before back on the Coastal Way, a clamber across An Scriodan rockfall brings the walker ever closer to Lochranza.

The final geological highlight of the day is Hutton’s Unconformity, a famous rock outcrop which helped shape the understanding of the immense age of our planet, and the revolutionary concept of “deep time”. Having pondered this, the picturesque Newton Shore road is reached and followed back around the edge of the bay to the starting point of the walk.

Route Profile

 | Advised Kit List