Ultra Tour of Arran

Is this for you?

Perfect for:

• Runners with trail marathon or ultra experience
• Adventurers seeking a challenge, not a time
• Those ready for back-to-back 30-mile days

You'll need:

• Trail shoes and kit
• Training base of ~30–50 miles/week (training plan/advice available)
• Comfort on mixed terrain (mud, forest, rock, coast)

Kit list essentials

You'll receive a full mandatory kit list.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (taped seams)
• Trail shoes
• Foil bivvy bag (not blanket)
• 400+ kcal emergency food
• Gloves, hat, base layers
• Fully charged phone
• Hydration system (1.5L+)

FAQs

Do I need navigation skills? No navigation skills needed — fully marked course.

What’s the terrain like? Day 1: trails, tarmac, forest roads. Day 2: exposed mountain terrain, coastal trail.

What if I don’t finish? You're covered with support and sweep vehicles.

Can I just do one day? Yes, but the same fee and no finisher medal.

Weather? It’s Scotland in spring. Expect wind, rain, and wildness.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Your 2-day adventure

• Day 1: Forests, glens & coastal grit

  Start from Brodick and journey through winding trails, river crossings, and wild forest terrain. Expect ~30 miles of mixed surfaces: forest roads, tarmac, trail.

• Start | 08:30
• 3 pit stops (fuel, water, medical)
• Final cut-off | 20:30
• Overnight: Camp under the stars - your overnight kit is transported to basecamp for you.
• You’ll recharge with hot food, a shared fire, and maybe a dram or two.

It begins early. There's tension in the start line buzz — a mix of nerves, excitement, and caffeine. The mountain skyline looms behind Brodick as you head out.

The first few miles are kind — winding through forest trails and mossy glens, your legs fresh, your mind focused. You cross streams and skirt lochs, running under the watchful eyes of high ridgelines.

Then it builds. More ascent. The terrain shifts — tarmac gives way to trail, trail to rocky path, path to singletrack. Pit stops come as welcome reliefs. Water, snacks, a chance to breathe.

Midway through the day, you crest a ridge and the island opens up. Sea to your left. Hills rolling to your right. The silence is huge. You smile. You’re here.

By late afternoon, the fatigue sets in. You dig deep — powering through the final miles to reach basecamp. Cheers. Medics. A hot meal. Campfire chatter. You earned it.

You lie down that night with sore legs and a full heart. Day one: complete!

• Day 2: The ascent, the edge, the summit

  This is your big one: virtually all off-road. Climb Goatfell, tackle exposed ridgelines, descend coastal paths. Finish strong after another ~30 miles.

• 3 pit stops, including hot food
• Start | 07:30
• Final cut-off | 19:30

The legs wake up more slowly today. But the air is sharp and the mountain is calling. Today is the big one.

You climb early — the trail leading you up Goatfell, Arran’s proudest peak. The wind howls. The rocks demand focus. But the views... oh, the views. From the summit, you see it all: the ridgelines you crossed yesterday, the coast you’ll run today, and the tiny ribbon of trail curling forward.

Descending is fast and rough. Then it’s into the coastal stretch — raw, remote, and exposed. Your legs are in the flow. Your mind is quiet. You’ve found the rhythm of the ultra.

By late afternoon, you’re running on grit and stubborn joy. One more push. You pass the final checkpoint. One more mile.

And then — the finish. You cross the line. Medal around your neck. Beer in your hand. Goatfell at your back.

You just ran 60 miles across one of the most beautiful places in Britain. And you’ll never forget it.

Can’t do Day 2? You can still enter and complete Day 1 only (no medal, same fee).

Included

• 2-day race entry
• Fully waymarked route
• Pit stops and nutrition
• 4x4 medical and logistics support
• Overnight gear transport
• Hot food at basecamp

Extras

• Ferry tickets (from Ardrossan)
• 3-night camping pass (£75)
• Optional tee
• Travel protection (Refund Protect)

Trip leader

James is your leader for this adventure. He's a multi-lingual running machine!

Age

16 and 17 year olds will be considered on an individual basis, if taking part with a responsible adult.

You're covered

• Interest-free instalment plan
• Free transfer to some other events up to 1 month before
• Optional Refund Protect at checkout

Costs

Meeting point

Brodick
Isle of Arran
North Ayrshire
KA27
UK

Helpful logistics

• Start/finish in Brodick, Isle of Arran
• Ferry from Ardrossan (mainland Scotland)
• Shuttles included to/from event basecamp

What runners say

The campfire, the views, the support — incredible weekend.

That climb up Goatfell nearly broke me. I loved it.

The most brutal, beautiful race I’ve ever done.

Absolutely loved Ultra Tour of Arran. Don't get me wrong, it was tough but the views, marshalls, local support and other runners made it a really enjoyable run... Claire F, Race Check

Top top work. Thank you for letting me enjoy Arran in such a painfully stunning way. Simon Small

Superb event, with a huge variety of terrain.

Everyone will remember the endless boggy marsh on day 1 and the literal climb to Goatfell summit on day 2. The rest was great too though, with some lovely coastal stretches and views. Full marks for those who set out the marker flags and tape keeping us on course and top top marks to the course designer for a properly challenging event. Ian Rowe

Thank you for putting on the most epic, toughest, energy sapping course imaginable! It was unreal!! Also huge thanks to the staff and volunteers for keeping us going and feeding /helping us. Campsite was cracking and as always it was a good friendly bunch out there, Will be back! Craig Hynd

Definitely the toughest event I’ve done, but what a stunning course. Thanks to all the marshals, volunteers, base-camp staff and everyone involved. Jan Stock

Awesome weekend. Thanks to all the staff, volunteers and especially the friendly faces of the mountain rescue staff and medics (and dog) sitting on top of goat fell in rain, mist and strong wind. Michael White

From Laura and myself… thank you SO MUCH to all the volunteers and marshals, you guys are awesome! And a big thanks to the organisers for (as has been said a lot) a brutal event which tested us to our limits. So chuffed to finish! Arran you are beautiful, but an absolute beast! Alice McHollan

Sustainability promise

This adventure is committed to being low-impact. A full eco policy is available.

• No single-use plastic
• Carbon offset for logistics
• Leave-no-trace trails
• Local partnerships on Arran