Brodick Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Brodick Scottish Gaelic: Tràigh a' Chaisteil/Breadhaig
Village
MV Caledonian Isles departing Brodick with part of the town in the background, May 2015
Brodick
Population	890 (2020)
• Density	6.54/ha
OS grid reference	NS014358
• Edinburgh	96 mi (154 km)
• London	443 mi (713 km)
Civil parish	Kilbride
Council area	North Ayrshire
Lieutenancy area	Ayrshire and Arran
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ISLE OF ARRAN
Postcode district	KA27
Dialling code	01770

Police	Strathclyde
Fire	Strathclyde
Ambulance	Scottish

EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	North Ayrshire and Arran
Scottish Parliament	Cunninghame North
Website	North Ayrshire Council
List of places UK Scotland 55°34′34″N 5°09′04″W / 55.576°N 5.151°W / 55.576; -5.151

Brodick (pronounced BROD-ik) is the main village on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. It's located on the east coast of the island, in a place called Brodick Bay. The village sits right below Goat Fell, which is the tallest mountain on Arran. The name "Brodick" comes from an old Norse word that means "Broad Bay."

Brodick is super important because its harbour is where the main ferry connects Arran to the mainland. You can also find the famous Brodick Castle here, which used to be home to the Dukes of Hamilton. It's one of the biggest villages on the island and a busy spot with lots of homes, hotels, shops, a health center, a museum, and even a golf course!

Getting to Brodick
Exploring Brodick Village
Brodick Castle
Images for kids
See also

Getting to Brodick

Brodick is home to Arran's main ferry terminal. This is where you catch the ferry to Ardrossan on the mainland. From Ardrossan, you can connect to the national train network.

Ferry Services: The ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne runs the ferries. The MV Caledonian Isles sails all year round, and the MV Isle of Arran helps out with extra trips in the summer.
Journey Time: The trip across the water takes less than an hour. It's one of the busiest ferry routes for CalMac. Sometimes, you might even spot dolphins or basking sharks on the way!
Other Ferries: A smaller ferry, the MV Catriona, sails from Lochranza (another village on Arran) to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula. This route runs from March to October. In winter, it goes to Tarbert instead.

Brodick's ferry terminal has had a big upgrade recently. About £30 million was spent on a new pier and passenger building. This new terminal can handle two ferries at once, which means more people and cars can travel to and from the island. The new terminal officially opened in April 2018.

Two new ferries are also expected to join the fleet. These are the MV Glen Sannox and its sister ship, the MV Glen Rosa. They are designed to use two types of fuel. While they were planned to start service earlier, they are now expected to be ready in late 2024 and late 2025.

Exploring Brodick Village

Brodick is a very popular place for holidays and a great starting point for hill-walking. Tourism is a big part of how the village makes its money. You'll find many local businesses here, like hotels, restaurants, shops, and places to stay like bed and breakfasts. There are also lots of outdoor activities to try.

Things to Do:

* Visit the local brewery (in nearby Cladach). * Enjoy the sports and leisure complex. * Play a round at the 18-hole golf course. * Relax on the public beach. * Explore the park.

Village Amenities: Brodick has a primary school, a village hall, a library, a church, a sports park, and a health center. There's a large Co-op supermarket in the middle of the village, plus a smaller Co-op convenience store at Invercloy.
Local Businesses: You'll find hairdressers, estate agents, a post office, gift shops, a bakery, a chocolate shop, and a bike rental store. There are also many cafes, bars, and restaurants to choose from.

Even though Brodick is the largest village, the high school, council offices, and hospital are actually in Lamlash. Lamlash is about 3 kilometres (2 miles) south of Brodick.

The biggest mountain on the island, Goat Fell, looks over Brodick village and Brodick Bay. It stands tall at 874 meters (2,867 feet) above sea level. Climbing Goat Fell is one of the most popular hiking routes in Scotland!

Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle used to be the home of the Dukes of Hamilton. Today, it is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, a charity that looks after important places in Scotland.

The castle is a fantastic place to visit. In July 2017, a new adventure section for kids opened in the park, making it even more fun for families. You can explore the castle, wander through its beautiful gardens, and enjoy the stunning views.