Laggan and the Cock of Arran Circuit from Lochranza
North Ayrshire
This 11.5km circuit explores the empty north-east corner of Arran from Lochranza. Dogs need a lead on the ascent through grazing land in Glen Chalmadale, and small or elderly dogs may need lifting over the boulders at An Scriodan. A lane and then the old grassy path to Cock Farm climb through the grazing land of Glen Chalmadale to a pass at 263 metres, where the view opens to Bute and Cowal. Below lies the ruined Cock Farm, abandoned in 1912 and the birthplace of Malcolm Macmillan, an ancestor of the publishing family and of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. The path descends to whitewashed Laggan Cottage and joins the Arran Coastal Way, passing old salt pan and mining ruins, the huge sandstone boulder called the Cock of Arran and the tumbled boulders of An Scriodan, which needs some easy scrambling. Near Newton Point it passes Hutton's Unconformity, one of the sites where James Hutton found evidence of the immense age of the earth. There is 330 metres of climbing on rough, bouldery and sometimes wet paths.
This dog friendly walk is a proper adventure, but a demanding one for dogs. The first half crosses grazing land, so keep your dog on a lead there, and the coastal path runs past boulders where a lead or a helping hand is needed. The shore gives chances to paddle and drink, but there is no shade. Keep dogs close on the road section back into Lochranza, and look out for seals at low tide. There are no facilities on the route.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; shop, cafes and toilets in Lochranza.
- Parking
- Informal parking where the minor road opposite Lochranza Field Studies Centre meets the shore.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Laggan and the Cock of Arran Circuit from Lochranza, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in North AyrshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Laggan and the Cock of Arran Circuit from Lochranza dog friendly?
This 11.5km circuit is a genuine adventure and earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness, though it's a demanding outing rather than an easy stroll. Dogs will enjoy the coastal section with chances to paddle and drink from the shore, and the route through Arran's wild north-east corner has a real sense of remoteness. That said, the rough, bouldery terrain and some mandatory lead sections mean it suits fit, confident dogs best.
Can dogs be off lead at Laggan and the Cock of Arran Circuit from Lochranza?
Dogs must be kept on a lead during the ascent through Glen Chalmadale, which crosses grazing land, and a lead is also strongly advised along the boulder-strewn coastal path. The road section back into Lochranza is another spot where you'll want dogs close by your side. There's no single stretch where off-lead roaming is clearly safe throughout, so it's worth treating this as a mostly on-lead route.
What should I know before visiting Laggan and the Cock of Arran Circuit from Lochranza with my dog?
Small or elderly dogs may need lifting over the tumbled boulders at An Scriodan, so bear your dog's size and agility in mind before setting out. There is no shade on the route and no facilities along the way, so bring plenty of water for both of you — the shore offers drinking opportunities, but don't rely on them. Parking is informal at the minor road opposite Lochranza Field Studies Centre, and you'll find a shop, cafes and toilets back in Lochranza for after the walk.
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Shore parking, minor road opposite the Field Studies Centre, Lochranza, Isle of Arran KA27 8JF
55.7053, -5.2842
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