Brodick is the transport hub for Arran and the largest town on the island. This does not put it into any international league of big towns [understatement of the year?] but it does now have a supermarket, other shops, a post office, a bank, a chippy and a petrol station.
It also has hotels as well as self-catering accommodation. I do not know whether it is ever hard to find somewhere to stay here but by and large the supply tends to exceed the demand as Arran was a very popular destination before the days of mass continental tourism.
As you leave Brodick northward you come to Arran's Heritage Centre. This is highly informative on Arran's archaeology, geology and history. It is located in what was originally a school site and the current buildings are a smiddy which is just as it was when it stopped working and a croft. However the Centre does not only cover farming, although this is a highlight, but the development of modern sea transport. The website is http://www.arranmuseum.co.uk/
Nearby is Brodick Castle. This is a combination between a 19th century stately home and much earlier fortification built on a ledge over the north side of Brodick Bay. The gardens are particularly appealing and you will find excellent information on http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arran/brodickcastle/index.html