Now that i've retired, thought i would try a new circuit on Arran.
Have usually combined climbing Cir Mhor from the saddle , having walked up glen Sannox , followed by circuiting down the north sannox ridge. This ridge always takes a long time, i have never had the courage to try the Witches step scramble and i dont like the heavily eroded descent from Suidhe Fhearghas.
So thought i would descend from Caisteal Abhail via Sail an Im instead.
Glorious start to the walk up glen Sannox with perfect weather, Cir Mhor in the distance.
- glen sannox
No wind at first and dry and hot.
- Cir Mhor finally getting closer
Pleasant breeze ascending to the Saddle between Cir Mhor and north goat fell with great views around.
- hazy view of descent from North Goat Fell
- across to witches step
- looking down to the saddle and across to north GF
Having more time today decided to scramble up to the top of Cir Mhor rather than go up a grass gully and approach from behind. Initially offputting seeing some climbers on the left buttress [just visible]
- climbers
Was deciding which way to scramble when joined by two of a group of walkers who also fancied the scramble and between us managed an enjoyable scramble and got there a lot faster than the traditional route.
- straight up
After lunch at the top dropped to the permanently windy col then walked up to Caisteal Abhail.
- view back to Cir Mhor
Could now see the new planned descent over to Sail an Im.
- rough Creag Dhubh in the centre with Lochranza in the distance behind it
- Sail an Im to the right of Creag Dhubh with green forest behind its top.
I was surprised to find this descent was pathed all the way to the North Sannox burn where a very heavily engineered smooth path takes over and follows the burn to the roadside . This is a pleasant spot to wait for the bus.
Overall very happy with this new route and got great views of the north sannox ridge from a new perspective.
