Glen Rosa Circuit & Brodick Standing Stones

[Chris Mac]

Glen-Rosa-Circuit.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

I had grander plans for Sunday back home but the forecast said heavy rain the night before so I awoke from a long lie annoyed to see it dry with little wind. Typical.

Not to be perturbed, I had some brunch then set off to do the Glen Rosa circuit like I had during the summer but this time i'd record a track and do a variation of the full loop to include the standing stones at the castle drive.

I set to record and head towards Goatfell...
DSC_6828 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

...passing the primary school and enjoying the colour array:
DSC_6830 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Past the Heritage Museum:
DSC_6833 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the junction I head up the String, taking in the view of my target in the distance with Beinn a'Chliabhain and Glenshant Hill guarding the mouth of Glen Rosa:
DSC_6836 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A few paces up the string and it's a right turn to Glen Rosa:
DSC_6838 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lovely:
DSC_6843 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pass the Small residence:
DSC_6845 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At this point I lost 15 minutes...
DSC_6846 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

...due to bumping into local legend Charlester and blethering about hills, Nags, taxi's, walking and more!

Looking towards the mouth of Glen Rosa where the camp site is located behind the while buildings:
DSC_6847 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pass the campsite on the right as the road turns to track into the Glen:
DSC_6851 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Distant Beinn Nuis and Glenshant Hill:
DSC_6853 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_6861 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Into the Glen and it opens out as peaks reveal themselves slowly:
DSC_6863 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The lone tree:
DSC_6870 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path begins to follow Rosa Water:
DSC_6871 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_6876 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Up the hillside to my left I spot someone coming down which surprises me!
DSC_6884 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's not the normal route so I sense a bagger is out playing.

The summit of A'Chir is now visible, also known as Lord Bingham's Nose!
DSC_6886 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's the off-piste bagger!
DSC_6894 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

His path takes him towards me and we spend some time blethering about his route, he had come down from bagging Cul nan Creagan, along with hill walking in general, the Arran hills and how tricky the A'Chir ridge is. Just after that I chatted to two American girls who had enjoyed a walk up the Glen but that was the last people I would see before having just the twilight and Stags for company.

Beinn Nuis summit, the hill of the face:
DSC_6898 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_6900 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking along the ridge to Beinn Tarsuinn, the small outcrop of rock to the right is the Old Man of Tarsuinn:
DSC_6902 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Tarsuinn summit:
DSC_6905 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn a'Chliabhain and A'Chir:
DSC_6909 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As I travel along the path I decide to go off to the right and climb the small drumlin for a better view up the Glen:
DSC_6914 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Unfortunately the view from there isn't far enough along so I continue along some rough hillside, jumping tussocks and bog water to find a decent spot:
DSC_6921 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

One of my favourite views:
DSC_6940 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cir Mhor's summit with the crazy downclimb chimney route showing:
DSC_6944 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The Saddle:
DSC_6946 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ceum na Caillich:
DSC_6950 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn a'Chliabhain:
DSC_6953 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A'Chir:
DSC_6955 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Glen Rosa:
DSC_6990 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_6996 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I head further along and rejoin the path to go further up Glen Rosa towards the pools just past where i'll cross the Rosa water to return home via the other side of the Glen. I pass the Garbh Allt on the left which is the route up to Beinn Tarsuinn and tops:
DSC_7000 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Goatfell's steep west side and summit now more visible:
DSC_7017 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Scenic in winter colours compared to the greens during the summer:
DSC_7020 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Between the two big Glens on Arran it's hard to choose a favourite between Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox, both are spectacular and both feature Cir Mhor in the middle:
DSC_7025 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I reach the best photo spot:
DSC_7045 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7047 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7052 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7063 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Goatfell (Windy Hill):
DSC_7077 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Satisfied and with time and light running out, I make my way back the way I came but head left to cross Rosa Water on the wee bridge:
DSC_7084 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Progress is fast as I make my way back:
DSC_7092 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Mouth of the Glen now visible:
DSC_7093 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As I walk along the path I spot two well camouflaged Stags just up ahead who look ready to scarper. One does and heads towards the campsite while the other just waits to see what i'm up to:
DSC_7112 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I stop and crouch down to change lens and the closest stag also stalls as it wonders what I am up to, providing the perfect photo pose:
DSC_7123 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stag 1:
DSC_7134 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7145 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stag 2 missing an antler:
DSC_7154 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7160 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Well chuffed at my close encounter, I make haste again down the path towards the trees:
DSC_7164 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7165 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I head through the dark woods, keeping to the right:
DSC_7168 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the other side is a tree-lined avenue towards the Castle:
DSC_7170 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Glen Rosa Campsite:
DSC_7171 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back up the Glen, it's a scenic path but I prefer the clockwise route i've taken as the views ahead are better on the way round this way:
DSC_7178 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Clauchland Hills in the distance, my local sub-marilyn and another decent option for a short hill walk with very rewarding views:
DSC_7180 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Another Beware of the Bull sign, the third i've seen in the last few months, luckily no bulls have been encountered so far!
DSC_7189 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I reach the Castle drive and head down, the standing stone field is just on the right:
DSC_7194 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Not quite Machrie Moor but still good:
DSC_7195 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7204 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7212 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The light was fading fast now but I still got some decent shots:
DSC_7223 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7228 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7240 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I continue on, reach the road and decide to turn left and walk towards the Dutchess Court before turning right and crossing the golf course:
DSC_7269 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_7270 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Crossing Rosa Water again:
DSC_7279 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Nuis back right and reflections in Rosa Water:
DSC_7290 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Towards Brodick:
DSC_7291 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pass the Primary School, take a slight detour up Douglas Row and back home:
DSC_7294 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

10k in 3 hours with some stunning scenery to enjoy and local Stags to shoot... with the camera! A great walk if you fancy something low level in Brodick.