Wild camping; there are usually people with tents at various points on the west coast of the island (any flat spot between Machrie and Lochranza seems fair game). People seem to set up camp at North Sannox picnic area (there are toilets there and it's a flat amble /or mountain bike ride from there to Fallen Rocks or Laggan Cottage....not very bike friendly thereafter) and there are sometimes folk in the sort of layby just along from the bus stop at Sannox (heading towards Brodick)
On the road to Brodick from Sannox there are frequently wee sort of layby places or pull ins (few metres off the road) which are often seen to contain camper vans or tents.
Lovely walk is from Thundergay (between Pirnmill and Catacol) up the hill to Coire Fhionn Lochan. As you get higher you can see over Kintyre to Jura and beyond ....weather permitting. It's not a long walk but steep, and if you leave at about 0930 you seem to get up there and have the place to yourselves as the masses don't seem to set off until lunchtime.
Walk from Lochranza over the hill to Laggan cottage also provides magnificent views if the weather is right.
Youth Hostel in Lochranza has just been done up. Stags Pavilion at the campsite in Lochranza also has good reputation.
Pirnmill has the Lighthouse Restaurant 10-4 then 5-9 every day BUT Monday.
Catacol Bay Hotel also does food.
Café Thyme at The Old Byre Showroom just south of Dougarie but before Machrie, is good but a bit off the road and accessed by single track with passing places. It's open 7 days 10-5 (Sun-Thutr) and 10-10 Fri + Sat)
Machrie Bay tearoom at the Machrie Golf club does sit in or take away (open 7 days early to late)
Sannox Bay hotel does great food (closed Mondays) and serves the largest fish and chips I've seen on the island.
Bilslands in Brodick has a café and serves reasonably priced meals (9-5, I think)
The Drift Inn in Lamlash used to be good ( haven't been recently) and is open 12-9 for pub food.
The Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot does great meals and gives 20% discount on bar meals ordered between 5 and 6. Portions are generous and I've yet to witness anyone being able to finish the regular sized lasagne!
The Kinloch also has a swimming pool (the changing rooms are a bit dated but the pool is nice and you could use the facilities to shower after?).
Ferries are regular up until 28th Sept when revert to old timetable. One leaves Ardrossan as its counterpart leaves Brodick. If you go on the Caledonian Isles on a Saturday ( and maybe other times too) there is someone on the upper deck telling you about birds and whales and basking sharks etc to be seen. We have often been booked on one ferry but decided to go on an earlier one (usually because of rain!) and if you go along they'll usually manage to accommodate you. Should only be difficult on peak days (Sat and Sunday)
If you PM me your address I can send you this weeks Arran Banner which has details of restaurants etc all over the island.
If I can be of any help re walks or places then PM me. We have been going to Arran for many many years and our kids are the 4th generation of the family to holiday there.