Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Cir Royale
Cir Royale
by kevsbald » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:39 pm
Route description: Cìr Mhòr and Beinn Tarsuinn
Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Tarsuinn, Cìr Mhòr
Date walked: 01/03/2011
Time taken: 7 hours
Distance: 19 km
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).After having done Beinn Bharrain, my Saturday objective was a route up Glen Rosa over Beinn Tarsuinn, the A'Chir ridge and Cir Mhor. The mountain porn had been examined weeks in advance and my other half had been getting worried that I was actually spending more time with my head in maps and the Corbetts book, than with her. Yes, it was possible. The route described called for 'rock-climbing' skills and preferably with a rope and partner. I had neither but was prepared to bail out if things got too precarious. I felt quite comfortable that I'd be able to circumvent any problems. Before the A'Chir ridge however, the pleasant amble along and into Glen Rosa, with the early morning light was lovely. As is often the case with Arran (me being a veteran after 24 hours), the clag was down and the majestic tops couldn't be seen. There was a hint of something sharp and craggy in between snippets of cloud and it only heightened my anticipation - my loins were on fire! I reached the burn, which cascaded down from Beinn Nuis. However, it had always been my intention to go over Beinn a Chliabhain rather than Beinn Nuis. Which I instantly regretted once I was on BaC as Beinn Nuis to Beinn Tarsuinn looked fantastic. Instead, the route I chose was a nice little intro to what was lying ahead and what it did offer was a tremendous view over Goatfell and the A'Chir ridge. Beinn Tarsuinn was covered in clag and I worried that this would be the same the whole way along. My descent off Beinn Tarsuinn was 'interesting' - I came down through some crags, which exercised the old tricep muscles...ahem. Anyway, I began the walk/scramble along the ridge and it was good fun. Until it started snowing. Until it got quite, eh, hard. I stopped in a wee 'cave', took stock and decided to go on any further would be utterly daft - this seemed a good point to get out while I could and so I descended a funnel of rock back to the walkers path. Suitably chastened, I headed on to the col after the ridge and looked up to my 2nd objective, Cir Mhor. A bastion of rock jutted out into the Glen and as I climbed higher, I had great views over to Caisteal Abhail, its magnificent corrie and over to Goatfell, which looked a different beast from this angle. I got the impression that at the top of Cir Mhor, it was straight down on many sides and it felt very exposed. It was all mine though and I was stunned that on a Saturday, I was the only one around. My descent down into Glen Rosa took time but it was a lovely area. Eyes cast back to the Witch's step and I knew I'd be back to Arran for more of this. I can't wait.
View My Video
View My Video
Re: Cir Royale
by PauloUK77 » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:45 pm
What a fantastic looking place, I would love some time on Arran to explore.
Re: Cir Royale
by foggieclimber » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:03 pm
Terrific report. Hope to get back to Arran sometime - great hills!
- foggieclimber
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Aug 9, 2009
Re: Cir Royale
by soulminer » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:13 pm
Looking forward to Arran this Summer. Your report certainly whets the appetite
Cheers.

Cheers.
-
soulminer - Posts: 804
- Joined: Mar 18, 2010
- Location: Johnstone
Re: Cir Royale
by yokehead » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:24 pm
Certainly looks a superb place to be. As well as those on WH I've read a few very enjoyable accounts of visits from the old school of WH Murray and others, they were all highly complementary about what was on offer and not just the rock climbing.
I agree your photo 13 is a stunner, and so is no. 12.

I can see why you want to go back, as you say a partner and rope would be good, and good weather as well to see what you're getting into!
I agree your photo 13 is a stunner, and so is no. 12.


I can see why you want to go back, as you say a partner and rope would be good, and good weather as well to see what you're getting into!

Re: Cir Royale
by Graeme D » Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:30 pm
Jeezo man! Whit ye tryin' tae dae tae me????
Now, where's that Arran ferry timetable.......???


Re: Cir Royale
by kevsbald » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:27 am
Sorry Graeme. But I deliberately left Caisteal Abhail and Goatfell for a return - hope you'll join me!
Re: Cir Royale
by Paul Webster » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:51 am
Superb report Kev.... far too many years since I was last on Arran 

-
Paul Webster - Site Admin
- Mountain Walker
- Posts: 5509
- Munros:282 Corbetts:222
- Grahams:71 Donalds:45
- Sub 2000:120 Hewitts:133
- Wainwrights:134 Islands:92
- Joined: Jan 6, 2007
- Location: Highland
- Walk wish-list
Re: Cir Royale
by kevsbald » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:22 am
Cheers Paul,
did you like my video? I thought it justified my decision to get the hill off of A'Chir.
Can't wait to head back and tackle Abhail, the Witch's step and perhaps the N ridge of Goat Fell.
Truly wonderful place.
did you like my video? I thought it justified my decision to get the hill off of A'Chir.
Can't wait to head back and tackle Abhail, the Witch's step and perhaps the N ridge of Goat Fell.
Truly wonderful place.
Re: Cir Royale
by Paul Webster » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:53 am


-
Paul Webster - Site Admin
- Mountain Walker
- Posts: 5509
- Munros:282 Corbetts:222
- Grahams:71 Donalds:45
- Sub 2000:120 Hewitts:133
- Wainwrights:134 Islands:92
- Joined: Jan 6, 2007
- Location: Highland
- Walk wish-list
Re: Cir Royale
by malky_c » Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:29 am
kevsbald wrote:(me being a veteran after 24 hours)


Great photos and a timely reminder for me to go and spend some more time over on Arran, and do some proper walks/scrambles.
Re: Cir Royale
by ChrisW » Wed Mar 02, 2011 2:51 pm
great report and pics, brings back memories of school days (the last time I was on Arran) 

Re: Cir Royale
by Graeme D » Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:30 pm
kevsbald wrote:Sorry Graeme. But I deliberately left Caisteal Abhail and Goatfell for a return - hope you'll join me!
Wild horses Kev - wild horses!


Re: Cir Royale
by Mama Bean » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:14 pm
Aw magic!! How nice to see a report from the home turf!
That bloody A'Chir... my white elephant that one... been up everything here hunners but not that bugger. Easy enough to get to the top, but it ain't about tops with her, it's about traverses. Aim to do it this spring with a superhero type friend... Cackitty Breeckity
The Glen Sannox horseshoe is a peach of a day, one side of the Witch's Step is a roper (unless you have balls of steel or the bravado of youth, or both
)
Cheers!
YAY!! Everyone come to Arran!!

That bloody A'Chir... my white elephant that one... been up everything here hunners but not that bugger. Easy enough to get to the top, but it ain't about tops with her, it's about traverses. Aim to do it this spring with a superhero type friend... Cackitty Breeckity

The Glen Sannox horseshoe is a peach of a day, one side of the Witch's Step is a roper (unless you have balls of steel or the bravado of youth, or both

Cheers!
YAY!! Everyone come to Arran!!
-
Mama Bean - Posts: 13
- Joined: Sep 26, 2009
- Location: Isle of Arran
Re: Cir Royale
by kinley » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:28 pm
Nice - not set foot on Arran yet - it looks great



- kinley
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
21 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Walkhighlands community forum is advert free
Can you help support Walkhighlands and the online community by donating by direct debit?