In the late 1860s, it was decided that a lifeboat station be established on the Isle of Arran, on the west coast of Scotland.

It was noted that a large number of both passenger and trading vessels were constantly passing the island, on passage to and from the River Clyde and Glasgow.

[2] Kildonan lifeboat Hope was launched on 11 February 1877, to the aid of the barque Queen of Hearts, driven ashore at Slattery Rocks, whilst on passage from the Clyde to the United States.

It was found that the majority of the crew had got ashore in the ship's boat, but one man was landed by the lifeboat.

[3][4] Hope was launched at 23:00 on 13 July 1879, to the aid of the pilot smack Marion, which had lost her jib, and was stranded on Carlin Rock.

It was reported that the Institution was "indebited to an old friend and former lifeboat donor", Miss Pringle Kidd, of Lasswade Bank, Edinburgh, later Glenternie House, who provided the lifeboat with a donation of £700, with enough money remaining for a new launch carriage, along with refurbishment of the boathouse.

The RNLI reported in 1902, that "within the year, three stations were closed due to changes in local requirements, rendering it unnecessary that they should any longer be retained".