Arran Coast

Arran Coast A charity that works to ensure shared responsibility for the protection & restoration of our seas. We welcome succinct, good natured comment. SC042088

COAST Discovery Centre open 7 days a week 10am to 4pm

COAST content policy

This is a community site for COAST supporters of all ages including school children. We will delete any posts that are abusive, antagonistic or written by paid lobbyists opposed to our objectives. We will also block the authors of any such posts from our site. Thank you for your support. Our Vision:

Healthy seas around A

rran and the Firth of Clyde. Our Values:

Community led - we enable and empower people to drive positive changes to benefit current and future generations;

Integrity and openness - we are unflinchingly committed to our purpose and transparent in our activities;

Evidence based - our work is underpinned by rigorous and independent scientific investigation;

Sustainable - we passionately protect and restore the marine environment, which we believe is key to the long-term health and economic well-being of our community. Registered Charity in Scotland No.

Due to popular demand, we've added an extra date for our Seabed Explorer boat trip!Join us on an exploration survey that...
29/08/2026

Due to popular demand, we've added an extra date for our Seabed Explorer boat trip!

Join us on an exploration survey that will allow you to see the seabed like never before - without getting wet! This seabed survey will take you out into the MPA to enjoy Arran's seas and views, and then use state-of-the-art technology to help us explore the seabed up to 80 metres deep. This is a more in-depth survey than our regular Sea Science Trips and we'll aim to show you even more of the real wonders of our seas around Arran.

Book your space and find our more information using the link below:
https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/seabed-explorer

VisitArran

Join professional artist Emma Baker for a marine inspired mosaic workshop! Create your own beautiful mosaic plaque for i...
27/08/2026

Join professional artist Emma Baker for a marine inspired mosaic workshop!
Create your own beautiful mosaic plaque for indoor use, inspired by the marine life that lives in the waters around Arran, all while taking the time to slow down, connect with others and learn about some of the incredible marine animals that live around Arran.

Emma will teach you how to create your plaque using mosaic tiles and a wide selection of china and items found from around the shoreline, as well as how to use tile nippers to cut down larger tiles to create your own sizes and shapes.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll also learn about the species you’ll be creating and how protective measures have helped protect them – all while you’re surrounded by real life sea creatures in our catch and release tanks at the Discovery Centre. With marine inspiration and guidance from Emma, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the incredible underwater world that surrounds Arran.

Pricing includes all materials, Emma’s expertise and guidance, hot drinks and biscuits throughout, as well as directly supporting COAST work in protecting Arran's seas.

Book your space here: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/clyde-creatures-marine-mosaic-workshop

VisitArran

Best of luck to Mike Davis who will be attempting the incredible challenge of swimming around the whole of Arran, all to...
26/08/2026

Best of luck to Mike Davis who will be attempting the incredible challenge of swimming around the whole of Arran, all to raise funds for COAST!

Mike will be setting off on his 55 mile journey from the COAST Discovery Centre on the 5th of September! We'll be following along and sharing his updates on our socials as he ventures around Arran's rugged coastline.

If you'd like to show your support for Mike, please follow the link to his Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/mike-davis-5

Good luck Mike and thank you for all of your support! ❤️🌊

Next week is your last chance this summer to join us on one of our Sea Science Boat Trips! 🛥️ 🌊Join COAST scientists abo...
21/08/2026

Next week is your last chance this summer to join us on one of our Sea Science Boat Trips! 🛥️ 🌊

Join COAST scientists aboard the RV COAST Explorer as we investigate the ocean's wonders and witness the positive impact of marine protected areas.

Activities may include:
Plankton Sampling
Habitat Mapping & Marine Life Observation using a drop-down camera
Seabird recording

Engage in real-world science and contribute to vital marine conservation efforts around Arran!

Follow the link for more information and to book your space: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/sea-science-trip

Join us next week for two amazing coastal foraging events with foraging expert Mark Williams 🌊COAST and The Wee Bookshop...
16/08/2026

Join us next week for two amazing coastal foraging events with foraging expert Mark Williams 🌊

COAST and The Wee Bookshop are thrilled to welcome back Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods - Arran-raised foraging guide and wild food chef. Mark started his foraging journey on Arran and has over 30 years of foraging experience under his belt. He is returning to Arran to celebrate the release of his new book 'The Coastal Forager' and will be sharing his knowledge over two days of events.

To book your tickets and for the full information about both of the events, please visit our website or use the links below:

Book signing tickets and information: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/the-coastal-forager-talk-tales-taste

Coastal Foraging tickets and information: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/coastal-foraging-and-wild-food-picnic

Book Signing, talk and tasters - 19th August

On the 19th August at 7pm, Mark will be giving a talk at the Corrie and Sannox Village Hall about his new book 'The Coastal Forager'.
He will explore themes of coastal ecology, nature connection through foraging, sustainable and ethical foraging, how to creatively cook and preserve coastal wild foods and some very Arran-specific foraging tips! There will be wild treats and tasters throughout to illuminate the 40 recipes in the book, with an open Q&A and discussion to end.
Mark will be signing copies of the book which are available to buy on the evening. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book in advance, this option is available at the time of booking, where you will receive a £5 discount off RRP.
Tickets are £5/person and available to book in advance on our website.

Guided Coastal Foraging Walk - 20th August

On the 20th August, Mark will be hosting a coastal foraging walk; a truly unique experience that explores the coastal plants, seaweeds and shellfish that can be found on one of Arran’s beautiful and diverse beaches. The walk will take place over three hours of very gentle (but occasionally slippery!) walking, where you will learn about the incredible adaptations of maritime species, the different niches they occupy, the roles they play in coastal ecology, how to recognise and sustainably harvest good edible species and how to use and preserve them in the kitchen. The walk includes tasters of cooked and preserved coastal plants and we will spend time laying out and labelling our finds afterwards and cooking and eating some what you have just learned about!
Tickets for this event are £65/person and prebooking is required. Please wear footwear that you don’t mind getting muddy and bring weather-appropriate clothing and drinking water. This event is not recommend for children under 8 years old.

www.arrancoast.com/what-on/

VisitArran

All of us at COAST want to say thank you to the community of Arran; Our post last week regarding the increase in activit...
14/08/2026

All of us at COAST want to say thank you to the community of Arran; Our post last week regarding the increase in activity of vessels in and around the No Take Zone generated a lot of attention and discussion and we massively appreciate everyone who has informed us of any activity they have spotted.

We as a community all worked incredibly hard to make the No Take Zone a reality and without your continued support, it would never have become a wildlife refuge and vital scientific research. These pictures, all taken in the No Take Zone, show some of the life that is thriving there today.

Please continue reporting any activity to us on 01770 492092 between 9am and 5pm, or email us at [email protected] at any time of day. Alternatively, you can follow this guide to file a report directly with the Scottish Government:
https://www.arrancoast.com/kipper-guide/

COAST has recently received an increased number of sightings of fishing vessels within the Lamlash No Take Zone (NTZ).Bo...
08/08/2026

COAST has recently received an increased number of sightings of fishing vessels within the Lamlash No Take Zone (NTZ).
Boats are allowed to be within the NTZ, but fishing of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Although none of the sightings so far have been confirmed as illegal fishing incidents, we please ask everyone to be extra vigilant at this time of increased boat activity.

In November 2023, a vessel was caught illegally fishing in the No Take Zone and was later convicted (see link below for details). Illegal fishing does happen within the NTZ and sightings from the community are hugely valuable.

You can report any suspicious activity to COAST - please call us on 01770 492092 between 9am and 5pm or email us at [email protected] at any time of day. Alternatively, you can follow this guide to file a report directly with the Scottish Government: https://www.arrancoast.com/kipper-guide/
If possible, please take photographs and note down the time you spotted the boat and a description of the vessel (colour, size and any name/numbers that are visible).

The No Take Zone is a haven for marine life and a living laboratory, allowing scientists to study seabed conservation and recovery. The people of Arran fought for many years to make the NTZ a reality and any illegal fishing is not only devastating for the community, but for the life that is re-claiming the seabed. Through constant community teamwork, we can all ensure that the NTZ is fairly enforced.

2023 NTZ Illegal fishing Incident: https://www.arrancoast.com/illegal-fishing-prosecution-undermines-scotlands-marine-conservation-efforts/

COAST and The Wee Bookshop are thrilled to welcome back Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods - Arran-raised foraging gui...
07/08/2026

COAST and The Wee Bookshop are thrilled to welcome back Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods - Arran-raised foraging guide and wild food chef. Mark started his foraging journey on Arran and has over 30 years of foraging experience under his belt. He is returning to Arran to celebrate the release of his new book 'The Coastal Forager', and will be sharing his knowledge over two days of events. See below for details!

On the 19th August at 7pm, Mark will be giving a talk at the Corrie and Sannox Village Hall about his new book 'The Coastal Forager'.
He will explore themes of coastal ecology, nature connection through foraging, sustainable and ethical foraging, how to creatively cook and preserve coastal wild foods and some very Arran-specific foraging tips! There will be wild treats and tasters throughout to illuminate the 40 recipes in the book.
After the talk, Mark will be joined by local forager Zoe Hughes of Wild Food Arran for an open Q&A and discussion.
Mark will be signing copies of the book which are available to buy on the evening. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book in advance, this option is available at the time of booking, where you will receive a £5 discount off RRP. Tickets are available to book in advance on our website.

On the 20th August, Mark will be hosting a coastal foraging walk; a truly unique experience that explores the coastal plants, seaweeds and shellfish that can be found on one of Arran’s beautiful and diverse beaches. The walk will take place over three hours of very gentle (but occasionally slippery!) walking, where you will learn about the incredible adaptations of maritime species, the different niches they occupy, the roles they play in coastal ecology, how to recognise and sustainably harvest good edible species and how to use and preserve them in the kitchen. The walk includes tasters of cooked and preserved coastal plants and we will spend time laying out and labelling our finds afterwards and cooking and eating some what you have just learned about!
Tickets for this event are £65/person and prebooking is required. Please wear footwear that you don’t mind getting muddy and bring weather-appropriate clothing and drinking water. This event is not recommend for children under 8 years old.

To book your tickets and for the full information about both of the events, please visit our website or use the links below:

https://www.arrancoast.com/octopuscentre/whats-on/

Book signing tickets and information: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/the-coastal-forager-talk-tales-taste

Coastal Foraging tickets and information: https://widget.eola.co/f657k/activities/coastal-foraging-and-wild-food-picnic

Join us on a brand new COAST adventure as we take you across Lamlash Bay to Holy Isle, where unique snorkelling opportun...
05/08/2026

Join us on a brand new COAST adventure as we take you across Lamlash Bay to Holy Isle, where unique snorkelling opportunities await! 🤿🐠🪼

If you've been snorkelling before, our new boat trip will give you an exciting chance to swim among the sandy kelp forests that can be found in Holy Isles quiet bays, all while being guided by two qualified snorkel instructors! Get a rarely seen view of this stunning underwater world, right in the heart of the South Arran Marine Protected Area.

Each session will last up to three hours, with around one hour total of snorkelling. Participants must have been snorkelling before and be able to swim 50m unaided.

Head to our website to book your space and for the full terms and conditions.

www.arrancoast.com/whats-on

VisitArran

Our Brodick Shore Scramble this week is now fully booked! We will unfortunately not be accepting walk-ins either, but th...
05/08/2026

Our Brodick Shore Scramble this week is now fully booked! We will unfortunately not be accepting walk-ins either, but the Discovery Centre is open this Friday so please drop by if you missed out!

Address

The Old Pavilion
Lamlash
KA278LS

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441770600656

Website

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