Knowing it was easter Monday and wanting to avoid the standard route from Cladach, which was not only longer but would also be mobbed, we set off for Corrie and I planned to head along Stacach to bag Mullach Buidhe (having been up North Goatfell a few years back via the ridge) before returning down Coire Lan back to the start.
The only issue here was that Stacach isn't exactly easy for a relative novice and Y hadn't managed to finish climbing Beinn an Lochain a few weeks back, accusing me of trying to kill her as she couldn't get past the steep path at the shoulder! She could have but we played it safe and I made the summit alone. I knew she wouldn't fancy scrambling over the large granite tors on the ridge leaving the bypass path option which is pretty exposed in places, but I was also confident that with caution and guidance she could do it. Plus i'd be the mountain goat/mule for this walk and be carrying my large rucksack with all of our gear, lunch, spare everything etc. (thanks Rockhopper!) so she would be free of that burden.
I nipped along to the Co-op for sandwiches in the morning and the summit of Goatfell was still covered in clouds as it had been when I woke up and looked out the bedroom window. Not ideal but the forecast said it would be a nice afternoon and clear up.
20170417_101142 by Chris Mac, on FlickrNo worries, we'll just take our time and if we start the walk around midday then we should be in a summit clear of clouds!
After getting organising it was a quick 10 minute drive to park outside Corrie Hall where we set off along the road to the start of the hike, which showed Goatfell free of cloud cover in the distance, result:
20170417_115814 by Chris Mac, on FlickrUp the single track road it's an easy start and well signposted:
20170417_120422 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_120827 by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt's always good when your target is visible in the distance:
20170417_121036 by Chris Mac, on FlickrTurn right from track to path:
20170417_121205 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_121437 by Chris Mac, on FlickrStart heading up the hill, go through deer fence number one, then on at a steeper gradient towards fence number 2:
20170417_122826 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe path is excellent the whole way, good work Rangers of the NTS:
20170417_124014 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe Corrie Burn cascades down the hillside and further round to the left the crags of Maol Donn are in view:
20170417_124303 by Chris Mac, on FlickrBehind us the view quickly opens up and it's a great day for it, the Firth of Clyde very still and Ben Lomond and some bigger hills to the north starting to appear:
20170417_124913 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAs we reach the top of the hill path, Goatfell, Stacach and North Goatfell are more visible, with Mullach Buidhe summit hidden to the right and Am Binnein far right:
20170417_125550 by Chris Mac, on FlickrKeep heading up the path and you'll soon reach the crossing point over the burn to then head up towards the shoulder of Goatfell:
20170417_130500 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_131156 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe spot the Isle of Arran sailing into Brodick Bay on the left, beyond Maol Donn's scenic crags:
20170417_131300 DSCF9375 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAs we climb the nicely made bouldery path up the shoulder Y only has a few breaks and I take advantage to admire the surroundings, Holy Isle and Mullach Mor, Clauchlands Point and Dun Fionn all now visible to the south:
20170417_131400 DSCF9378 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThere is a steady stream of ant-like walkers making their way up to Goatfell's summit:
20170417_131401 DSCF9379 by Chris Mac, on FlickrStacach looking good with someone traversing along the top...
20170417_131403 DSCF9383 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAlong with a few people on the summit of North Goatfell, good work!
20170417_131500 DSCF9384 by Chris Mac, on FlickrMullach Buidhe is now almost in view to the right and you can see the path going down Coire Lan which we will be taking for the descent:
20170417_131827 by Chris Mac, on FlickrLooking back down:
20170417_132201 DSCF9400 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOn the left, as we climb further up towards the top of the shoulder, the Ferry is almost in Brodick:
20170417_132300 DSCF9402 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDoing great Y, now bounding ahead as I fanny about taking photos!
20170417_132401 DSCF9409 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAfter an hour and a half of walking we've come fairly far and the views across the Clyde are great:
20170417_133700 DSCF9426 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe're quickly up to the top of the shoulder and the view opens up to Brodick down below on the left, the Mull of Kintyre south east and mighty Goatfell/Windy Hill up ahead. I prefer the old gaelic translation of Gaoithe Bheinn as it's more accurate than the newer Norse translation, there aren't any mountain goats up here apart from me!
20170417_134000 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_134017 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe stop for a breather, time to enjoy the views...
20170417_134200 DSCF9428 by Chris Mac, on FlickrHoly Isle and Clauchland Hills:
20170417_134201 DSCF9429 by Chris Mac, on FlickrBrodick, Brodick Bay, Whiting Bay in the far distance:
20170417_134202 DSCF9430 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDun Fionn which I climbed last year, a cracking viewpoint!
20170417_134203 DSCF9432 by Chris Mac, on FlickrFishermans walk down below at the mouth of the Rosa Burn, a sore point for locals after Charlie Ford sold half the beach to Arabs for their golf courses and the erosion is now awful...
20170417_134300 DSCF9436 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI spot my house down below then we continue on:
20170417_134448 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAfter another panorama opportunity... or two!
20170417_134914 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_134923 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOn the right as we ascend, Mullach Buidhe's pointy summit is now visible, the final peak i've yet to bag on the range before we head for the descent down Coire Lan, if I can get Y through Stacach that is...
20170417_135016 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI pose for a pic on the large rock just down from the cairn where the main path meets the path from Meall Breac (the shoulder):
20170417_135354 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_135515 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe continue on as the climb gets steeper and two walkers ahead of me are taking photos, then as I approach they ask if I can help them take their anvil down the hill!! I laugh and they ask why on earth an anvil is on the path to which I explain that last year a guy took it up Goatfell for charity, a noble cause, but then left it at the summit essentially littering our main mountain top! I say it looks like the passing walkers have been moving it down bit by bit and we chat briefly about the hills and walking on Arran. They head off and I do my part and move the anvil... about 5 inches along... it's very heavy!! If you are up there soon then please take a shot, if we all do then it will soon make it back to lower ground!
20170417_135730 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_135849 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOnwards we go as the boulders and rocks get bigger and ahead we can see streams of walkers making their way up and down....
20170417_140001 DSCF9455 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_140123 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe ten to two ferry has now left...
20170417_140200 DSCF9456 by Chris Mac, on FlickrMight have to tweet these to CalMac, they do enjoy such shots, although being old fashioned and getting on a bit now i'm still a bit resistant to the massive Oban style Ferry Terminal being built... I remember the tiny one and getting on and off the ferry on a tiny wooden gangway...
20170417_140201 DSCF9457 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_140800 DSCF9459 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe Firth of Clyde is still like glass making for some great shots. We continue on... erm, after a quick break!
20170417_140931 by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt's great fun making your way up this final steep, boulder strewn section, chatting to lots of tourists, one a Munro bagger who was saying that he rated the view from the summit of Goatfell as one of the best he has seen! I tell him of my 4 Corbetts in one day adventure a few years back and that Caisteal Abhail summit is an even better view in my opinion, especially for the north face of Cir Mhor... to which his partner glares at him as if to say no we're not doing that one tomorrow after his eyes lit up!!!
20170417_140945 by Chris Mac, on FlickrStacach and Mullach Buidhe are edging closer on the right as we get higher up, and the view south over Brodick and the east side of the island is only getting better.
Despite a fair few breathers Y is doing grand and we're edging ever closer to the summit...
20170417_141527 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_143038 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_143144 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe take the path that leads a bit left and south of the summit. Y has another quick break to admire the view over to the Mull of Kintyre to the south west, with A'Chruach, the boggy, lump of a Marilyn in the middle of Arran in view too although you can't make out the summit in this photo, it's too flat and round at the top! Ard Bheinn has a much clearer profile but misses out on main Marilyn status by just 6 ft/2m! A shame really but in saying the A'Chruach, despite no path and peat hag/bog trapse to reach the top, is one of the finest viewpoints on the island:
20170417_143942 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe skip back round to take the main path to the top:
20170417_144050 by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt's pretty busy as expected...
20170417_144234 by Chris Mac, on Flickr...but oh so worth the effort and the visibility is brilliant today! I start with some close shots of the neighbouring peaks, first Beinn Nuis and Beinn a' Chliabhain:
20170417_144700 DSCF9468 by Chris Mac, on FlickrBeinn Tarsuinn:
20170417_144701 DSCF9469 by Chris Mac, on FlickrA'Chir and it's brilliant ridge which i'm saving for another day, with Beinn Bharrain/Mullach Buidhe and Beinn Bhreac behind it, Arran's only Graham which the Weasels will have compleated the Grahams on earlier today!
20170417_144702 DSCF9470 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_144703 DSCF9471 by Chris Mac, on FlickrUnlike the last time I was up here, the Paps of Jura are almost fully visible, beyond Cir Mhor's summit and Meall nan Damh:
20170417_144704 DSCF9473 by Chris Mac, on FlickrCir Mhor:
20170417_144705 DSCF9474 by Chris Mac, on FlickrCaisteal Abhail:
20170417_144800 DSCF9475 by Chris Mac, on FlickrCeum na Caillich:
20170417_144801 DSCF9476 by Chris Mac, on FlickrPaps:
20170417_144802 DSCF9479 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe summit is pretty mobbed so we decide to head to the side and I spend a while taking multiple panoramic shots, this one being one of my favourites, well done Y, you made it!
20170417_150107 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe have our lunch as I snap away, thoroughly soaking in the views. Beinn Bhreac is just a top of Beinn Bharrain/Mullach Buidhe but like A'Chruach has one of the best views on the island, taking in all of the Pirnmill Hills to the south and the Corbetts where we are now. Recommended. Below is the north section of the A'Chir ridge looking formidable:
20170417_150301 DSCF9490 by Chris Mac, on FlickrCir Mhor again, on the bottom right is the very steep path down the the Saddle, one to go down instead of up if you ask me!
20170417_150303 DSCF9493 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAnd the superb summit... of which you can see the chimney directly off it which Iain and I both downclimbed when we left it a few years back and the likes of Alteknacker and many other scramblers have thoroughly enjoyed. Not for the faint hearted though...
20170417_150304 DSCF9494 by Chris Mac, on FlickrCaisteal Abhail summit tors, simply beautiful and more scrambling fun:
20170417_150400 DSCF9498 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_150401 DSCF9499 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe Witches Step, I have a feindish plan on doing this and several other tops i've not been up yet in one big day out and hope to do so later this summer...
20170417_150500 DSCF9503 by Chris Mac, on FlickrTo the north, North Goatfell, with Stacach to the right and Suidhe Fhearghas in shadow behind it:
20170417_150501 DSCF9505 by Chris Mac, on FlickrTo the right of it is Mullach Buidhe with the Arrochar Alps in the distance beyond:
20170417_150502 DSCF9506 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDone with lunch, by now the crowds have cleared a bit so we return to the summit and take advantage of some clear photo opportunities:
20170417_150800 DSCF9509 by Chris Mac, on FlickrY is enjoying herself... for now!!
20170417_150900 DSCF9513 by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt's hard not to take photo after photo since my last time up Goatfell was at the end of a 4 Corbett epic day out and I had little energy left to do so, along with less light, so i'm going nuts at this point as the light, conditions and visibility are just perfect!
Mighty Beinn Tarsuinn with all of it's ridges, a Corbett top and 2 Graham tops, in full glory:
20170417_151025 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe other 2 Corbetts:
20170417_151031 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI get Y to re-enact the same shot Iain took of me 2 years ago...
20170417_151150 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWhile she returns the favour of me on the trig point:
20170417_151330 by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe've finally had our fill so we decide to move on as it's a little bit chiller now, time to tackle Stacach, this should be interesting, i've a feeling I might get into trouble for taking her this way!
20170417_152000 DSCF9517 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAlmost immediately, as we descend the boulder field to the north of Goatfell's summit, i'm being chastised for the lack of path and boulder hopping involved.... this is mountain goat territory, no place for a princess Pomeranian!!
20170417_152017 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI assist on route finding, not realising the path is probably a little easier just over to the right but we make it down... and still have the large granite tors to negotiate...
20170417_152856 by Chris Mac, on FlickrSummit boulder field:
20170417_153026 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe first part of Stacach is easy...
20170417_153037 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThen it gets a bit steeper:
20170417_153140 by Chris Mac, on FlickrFor the first big tor the path veers right as you can see below, with a fairly steep drop down to the right and a little bit of scrambling up the side. North Goatfell looks great from the south on the left hand side while Mullach Buidhe is on the right:
20170417_153526 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDissatisfaction is again expressed at this point but just the once before the first bypass path is easily tackled. Maybe this will go better than I expected...
I take another pic of Beinn Tarsuinn in full, definitely it's best side from this angle as all the tops are clearly visible, and it has a plethora of them, one of the most underrated Arran Corbetts if you ask me plus some of the rock architecture on it is amazing:
20170417_154236 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI don't see a clear bypass path to the right, in post picture analysis I see it from some earlier zoom shots and recall having the same problem coming the other direction with Iain the last time, so I opt for the left bypass of the final massive tor:
20170417_154242 by Chris Mac, on FlickrYou get to a point where you can scramble up and along some rocks which i'm well up for but I reel in my own fun and return to the task at hand, getting Y across here safely...
Knowing this way I feel she can do it and the path drops down slightly into Dearg Choirein, a little bit loose too and again dissatisfaction is expressed along with a second statement in recent weeks of "you're trying to kill me"!
I'm not of course, i'm just building character and experience and the path, although a little steep to begin with and exposed to some degree, isn't exactly the worst. Plus i'm the one carrying the big rucsack!
We take our time and I assist with a helping hand where required, Y is soon on the easier final section of path and before you know it we've negotiated the final hurdle and pop out between the final tor and North Goatfell:
20170417_155710 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_155714 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDespite the accusation of trying to kill her (again!) Y was an absolute trooper and managed to navigate Stacach ridge very well, building up a heck of a lot of experience while doing so and I applaud her efforts and also apologise for taking her that way, but it wasn't that bad really!
We press on, I have Mullach Buidhe to summit before we can head down into Coire Lan for the descent. We take the North Goatfell bypass path, i'm not bothered about doing it again and also don't want to disappear after what Y had just gone through, it's all about the team!
20170417_155848 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe way back, a nice easy finish to what has been a very enjoyable walk so far, easy going for me and a big outing for Y:
20170417_155853 by Chris Mac, on FlickrMullach Buidhe approaches, it should only be a 10 minute pop up to the top:
20170417_160103 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOn the left the view is still spectacular, we spot a nice stone slab seat which is unfortunately already occupied! We slow our pace a little and Y says she's happy to wait while I summit the Corbett top.
At this point i'm already planning in my head a future traverse starting at Cioch na h'Oighe heading south from Glen Sannox, where we were a few days ago, to finish in Brodick for the complete Goatfell massif experience...
20170417_160401 by Chris Mac, on FlickrLuckily by the time we reach the stone slab seat the couple there have already started down the path into Coire Lan, leaving me to head up to Mullach Buidhe...
20170417_160606 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI quicken the pace, much like I did when Y left me to summit Beinn an Lochain a few weeks back. The sleeping warrior of the Caisteal Abhail massif in full effect:
20170417_160658 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAlmost there, that's not actually the summit ahead, it's a little bit behind and higher up, unfortunately at this point, as I found out to my annoyance later on, Viewranger decided to have a GPS connection issue so from the track I recorded it doesn't actually show me making the summit, instead it stops short then picks up again on the return!
20170417_160703 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThis is the summit rock of Mullach Buidhe, pointy and overhanging Coire nam Fuaran:
20170417_161241 by Chris Mac, on FlickrI stand atop and take some shots all around me while waving to Y way down below to the left, she would later say she wasn't happy seeing me on the summit outcrop as it is very small and exposed, but I was in my element.
Looking north east to the rest of the ridge on the way to the Devil's Punchbowl and the Maiden's Breast (Coire na Ciche and Cioch na h-Oighe) which i'll return for to do a proper traverse of in full another day:
20170417_161247 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDirectly north is Suidhe Fhearghas, Creag Ghlas Laggan, Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute:
20170417_161250 by Chris Mac, on FlickrTo the south east, the ridge down to Am Binnein, the Firth of Clyde and Holy Isle again:
20170417_161256 by Chris Mac, on FlickrGoatfell from the north... unfortunately it's ugly side by far, looking like a big Ben More lump, so much nicer from the other angles:
20170417_161302 by Chris Mac, on FlickrNorth Goatfell's ridge from the Saddle, a very enjoyable and exposed in parts traverse with Beinn Tarsuinn and it's amazing collection of tops and ridges behind it:
20170417_161309 by Chris Mac, on FlickrApologies for the ridiculous number of photos in this report, but it had to be done:
20170417_161312 by Chris Mac, on FlickrSatisfied to have my remaining Goatfell Corbett top in the bag, I head back down...
20170417_161410 by Chris Mac, on FlickrSoaking in the splendid view for one last time...
20170417_161505 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_161546 by Chris Mac, on FlickrNorth Goatfell ahead, then turn left:
20170417_161748 by Chris Mac, on FlickrDown into Coire Lan:
20170417_163355 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOnce on level ground progress is fast along the excellent path:
20170417_165037 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAlready we're basking not only in sunshine but in the fun we've had doing this walk and taking this route, it may not be the biggest or best but it has had a little bit of everything and Y is still smiling, so i'm not in the bad books for the ridge traverse which is great, I had a feeling it would turn out alright!
20170417_165619 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
20170417_165635 by Chris Mac, on FlickrOn the path down the side of the Corrie Burn, we decide to stop off for a break at a lovely wee rockpool with views across the Clyde and towards Maol Donn:
20170417_171726 by Chris Mac, on FlickrA large sail boat appears, adding to the atmosphere:
20170417_172324 by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt's a great wee spot, definitely one to come back to and go for a dip in on a hot summers day.
Behind us is the pointy summit of Goatfell, sun blazing behind and starting to set:
20170417_172329 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAfter a good 20 minutes or so of chilling and enjoying the surroundings, looking north to Ben Lomond and other hills, we set off again and try to escape the approaching shadows from the setting sun...
20170417_174615 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThis image can't quite convey how beautiful the sunlight through the branches was...
20170417_174953 by Chris Mac, on FlickrFairwell Maol Donn's nice northern crags:
20170417_175717 by Chris Mac, on FlickrThe descent back down the excellent path is very fast, through the woods and we're soon on tarmac again:
20170417_180708 by Chris Mac, on FlickrA few more bends to go:
20170417_181010 by Chris Mac, on FlickrAt the final bend we meet the couple who had been a wee bit ahead of us sitting for a rest and start chatting, they are from the Lake District and have thoroughly enjoyed the same route we did. We blether for a bit about walking and the guy has a back problem which means he needs the occasional rest but he's soldiered in impressive fashion and has done a pretty decent walk with a pending operation still to come to sort out the problem.
We say cheerio and soon reach the main road, heading left and back towards the car next to the Corrie Hall, where i've DJ'd at several 21st's and 30th's in years gone by.
The couple pass us as i'm peeling my socks off and they laugh at this comment, then we pass them in the car on the way to the Corrie Hotel again, just along the road. We decide to stay local again and head in to get some well earned grub to refuel and say hi to Lottie the local dog as we did a few days before after our walk up Glen Sannox. The Lake District couple come in for a pint and I get chatting to them again, more hillwalking blethering as I read out the stats from Viewranger and recommend it, apart from it not recording my Mullach Buidhe summit which I would discover later!
I say how we've been down to their neck of the woods a few times over the last couple of years to do 4 Wainwrights and they say they have done them all but that they are not all worth doing!
I'm sure i'll give it a good shot over the years though, regardless, it's like a mini-Scotland down there! They were a good laugh and I wish we had met up with them earlier in the walk, maybe our paths will cross again another time, we didn't even exchange names as often happens when casually blethering about mountains and walking!! So if you are reading this, hope to see you both again another time. As usualafter a big walk we downed our grub in record time before the quick drive back to Brodick. So after attempt number 2 at "trying to kill Y" i'm still unsuccessful!
Maybe she's getting the hang of this mountain walking malarkey after all... 
