Lochranza is a tiny village at the far north of Arran, set around a sea loch with a ruined 13th-century castle on a spit of land at the water's edge. It is one of the most atmospheric spots on the island, particularly on a misty morning when the castle appears to float above the water. Red deer wander freely around the village and can often be seen grazing on the golf course.
The Isle of Arran Distillery, now branded as Lagg and Lochranza Distilleries, has been producing single malt whisky here since 1995 and is open for tours and tastings. The visitor centre is well done and the tour gives a good sense of small-scale whisky production. A summer-only CalMac ferry runs from Lochranza to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula, making it possible to visit Arran as part of a wider loop through the west coast of Scotland.
The walking around Lochranza is excellent. The Cock of Arran coastal path heads east along the shore past raised beaches and fossil-rich rock formations. More ambitious walkers can strike south into the granite peaks of northern Arran, which offer some of the most rugged mountain scenery in the Scottish islands. The village has a youth hostel, a campsite, and limited supplies, so stock up in Brodick before heading north.