Get ready for Arran Outdoors Education Centre bookings
Arran Outdoor Education Centre have had an incredibly busy start to the 2026-2027 period and the team are delighted to announce that from Monday 19 October, bookings for the next academic year will begin.
Save the date!
Stay tuned to News In Brief where we’ll announce the go live for August 2027 to June 2028 bookings when the Microsoft Form will officially open for school bookings.
External and non term time bookings will also have the chance to express their interest early too via the Non NAC school booking form (going live on Monday 19 October).
The Arran Outdoors Education team will then be in touch (within 30 days for internal bookings and non term time bookings) and in early 2027 (for external in term bookings) to confirm availability on a first come, first served basis.
- View the internal booking form (this link will accept applications from Monday 19 October)
- View the external booking form (this link will accept applications from Monday 19 October)
The form will take no longer than 10mins to complete then a member of the team will be in touch.
What makes Arran Outdoors Education Centre an amazing place?
Well, visiting the Arran Outdoor Education Centre for a group residential means that you can support young people to undergo courses and outdoor learning experiences that can be centred around the following themes:
- Health and Wellbeing course with activities
- Leadership or Teambuilding course
- Integrated supported study and activities
- Environmental science, geography and biology field work courses
The Arran Outdoor Education Centre team also run national governing body awards during these courses such as Paddle UKs Paddle Start and Cycling Scotland’s Go Mountain Bike Award.
So far this year, the team has delivered 38 residential trips and an incredible 604 activity sessions delivered so far in 2026, with only very limited availability left for the remainder of this year.
Courses can be delivered through the week or weekends…
North Ayrshire schools have already booked for the in-demand residentials at Arran Outdoor Education Centre.
The subsidised costs for North Ayrshire schools are as follows:
- 4 day, 3 night week course (with up to nine Activity sessions included) – £205 per Pupil and £103 per accompanying staff for NA groups
- 3 day, 2 night weekend/half week course (with up to seven Activity sessions included) – £136 per pupil and £68 per accompanying staff for NA groups £276/£138
Email: arranoutdoor@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or call 01770 600 532 if you need any further information for the limited 2027-2028 dates now available.
Places are on a first come, first served basis.
What else can you experience at Arran Outdoor Education Centre?
The Arran Outdoor Education Centre team are proud to offer outdoor learning experiences to NAC pupils and our Centre offers the ultimate environment to awaken young people to see first-hand the impacts of climate change, get up close to nature on land and at sea and confront them to think about meaningful actions they can take to become more resilient citizens and prevent nature loss and reduce their carbon footprint.
The team – who are part of the council’s Community Learning and Development team – have welcomed over 2,000 people to stay at North Ayrshire’s purpose-built outdoor education centre over the past year.
Guests have been able to take part in a host of action-packed adventures including:
- Delivery of Paddle UKs Paddle start award
- Snorkelling sessions within Lamlash bay No take zone (taking place in summertime only)
- Expedition campsite on the centre grounds for Duke of Edinburgh and other groups
- Hillwalking, nature walks, cycling and mountain biking
- Abseiling, orienteering and outdoor survival skills
- Boat trips, kayaking, paddle boarding, gorge walking, exploring caves
- Residential accommodation and hot meals in award-winning facilities
- Learning sessions on mental resilience, wellbeing, biodiversity and conservation
Martin Wood Team Leader, Arran Outdoor Education Centre shares: “Geared towards building resilience Arran Outdoor Education Centre’s programme and unique location in Lamlash allows for young learners to experience the rich flora, fauna and biodiversity of the Isle of Arran.
“Changing perceptions about the best time of year to visit is also key on the agenda for the busy team who are keen to fill not only spaces in the popular Spring Summer months but in Autumn and Winter too...”
Martin Wood Team Leader, Arran Outdoor Education Centre adds: “Visiting our centre in Autumn and Winter has some amazing benefits, like nocturnal nature sessions, water sports on our nearby Loch and stargazing to name a few...
"The team have been working hard to develop a wide range of new winter activities including winter watersports like canoeing, an onsite gorge walk and boat trips to the Holy Isle. This is why we are calling on our schools or community groups to book now and avoid missing out!
"Ultimately through our outdoor learning experiences without phones or tablets, we can provide an energising reset to the young people and adults who visit us.
“Supporting them every step of the way, we are working alongside our visiting pupils to build confidence and boost wellbeing via quality time spent learning outdoors where they can be courageous, set goals and making meaningful and lifelong connections on the island that we love. We can guarantee that you’ll all have fun and an educational experience to remember!"
Published September 30, 2026
