The south of Arran is a fertile landscape of rolling hills and pretty little seaside villages, where you'll find the bulk of the island's population and tourists. A few miles south of Brodick, is Lamlash, a quiet and attractive place set in a wide, sheltered bay but with an unappealing mud beach. It is the largest village by population on the Isle of Arran. Lying just offshore is the humpbacked Holy Island, which is owned by a group of Scottish Buddhists who have retired here for peace and meditation.

A ferry runs to and from the island several times daily from 1 May to 4 September (limited service 5 September to 30 October), and costs £8 return. The first ferry departs Lamlash at 1000 and the last one returns at 1715, leaving you just enough time to climb up to the highest point, Mullach Mór (1,030 ft). Boats can be hired for fishing trips from the pier, Tel. 600998. For fishing supplies or information on scuba diving, contact Johnson's Marine Stores at the Old Pier, Tel. 600333.