free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
For the bank holiday weekend at the end of May I took the dfriday off and with sunshine forecast we decided to take the cheap option and head back home to Arran for a long weekend to make up for the bad weather earlier in the month.
I had grand plans to climb Mullach Mor of Holy Isle and Tighvein along with Beinn Bhreac to finish the island' Marilyns, things wouldn't quite work out that way though...
We set off on Friday morning for the 11am boat again meaning another nostalgic journey on the old Isle of Arran ferry, almost everyone was sitting outside and the Corbetts looked fantastic on the way into Brodick Bay:
DSC_7774 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Day 1 should have seen us heading for Tighvein but it was baking hot, we started pottering about in the back garden helping Mum and before you knew it we were eating and drinking while I redesigned some rockery steps! It's fine, we've got another 3 days here, we'll just do Tighvein on Monday before we get the last boat...
On Friday night it was looking better for Holy Isle on the Sunday with some fairly strong winds forecast on Saturday, so that settled it, Beinn Bhreac would be our walk for the following day!
A setback then occurred... as Y realised she had left her walking boots at home!!
Mum had a pair I looked out but she was a size bigger, Y said she'd put on extra socks and give it a go and luckily the route I planned had a fairly decent path almost the whole way bar the final summit section.
The next morning saw no requirement for an early start so we enjoyed breakfast at island pace then set off in the car, arriving at Catacol just over half an hour later, parking at the decent sized car park at Fairhaven.
We left the poles in the car and went over the bridge and Abhainn Mór to the start of the path:
DSC_7837 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It was sunny and warm but the start of the glen was like a wind tunnel and fairly gusty already. We passed the fenced off area with a few of the very rare and unique Arran trees including the Catacol Whitebeam which Y didn't know about until the day before:
DSC_7839 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I last walked up Glen Catacol back in 2005 with Neil, Donny and Gav, who enjoyed an unexpected flume ride down the water further up the glen, then moaned and squelched the whole way to
Loch Tanna!
We continued along the good path to the gate, up ahead showing the high route I wanted to take back but Y wasn't keen on heading back herself so I had to save that route up Meall Mor and co. for another day.:
DSC_7841 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
There were white boulders everywhere, not how I remembered it, then a landslip appeared and the mystery was solved:
DSC_7842 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Peeking out behind Meall nan Leac Sleimhuinn (L) and Creagan na Gobhar (R) is Meall nan Damh, a fine viewpoint I climbed earlier in the month:
DSC_7848 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The path rises and turns to head further into the atmospheric Glen Catacol:
DSC_7849 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As we follow the meanders on the path Beinn Tarsuinn, the middle sized one of three on Arran and a top of Beinn Bhreac comes into view:
DSC_7855 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Up on the left is the outcrop of Creag na h-lolaire, another top of our target hill:
DSC_7863 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Mum had mentioned the crystal clear water of Abhainn Mór to Y the night before and she's not wrong as we look back down the glen:
DSC_7880 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We pass the large slabs, it was on one of them that Gav enjoyed his flume ride!
DSC_7890 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It's a similar quality of water that comes down off the east side of Beinn Bhreac that feeds the distillery in Lochranza from Loch na Davie:
DSC_7894 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Cliff of the eagle:
DSC_7897 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We head further up the glen to the fork in the path and head left, we can see Loch Tanna another day, i've got a hankering for some height and a view! A group of walkers heading down the path ahead:
DSC_7900 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The path gains height steadily and turns to the left and into Gleann Diomhan. Over to the right we can see the path leading up to Loch Tanna:
DSC_7906 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
At this point the path gets a bit more rocky and muddy but is still good but Y was now struggling a bit with bigger boots on her tiny feet as we have a breather and look back to Kilbrannan Sound:
DSC_7911 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We reach the fence into the Gleann Diomhan National Nature Reserve:
DSC_7912 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Up ahead on the right is a large gorge gashed out of the side of Beinn Tarsuinn:
DSC_7913 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_7917 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_7925 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhreac's summit is now in view further up the glen:
DSC_7926 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I veer off the path to get a better view of the waterfalls down below in the gorge:
DSC_7930 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We're in the heart of the hills and continue up the path, we're about 200m up now as we head for the bealach at 408m (1338ft) further up inbetween Beinn Bhreac, Beinn Tarsuinn and Caisteal Abheail and at the very top of Glen Iorsa:
DSC_7935 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A lone walker can be seen up ahead having just gone through the gate out of the Nature Reserve:
DSC_7940 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Behind us the view of Meall nan Damh is superb, unfortunately only one of us was still enjoying the walk and scenery at this point!
DSC_7949 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We approach the gate now and the lone walker up ahead can be seen on the horizon:
DSC_7951 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Further along is another smaller gorge where the cairn is on the OS map:
DSC_7954 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Some impressive rock architecture below:
DSC_7955 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Nature's building blocks:
DSC_7958 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Just after the cairn Y decided she had had enough, she prefers sea routes and I had her high up a glen in the heart of the Arran hills! I said we weren't far from the 408m point and the view would be worthwhile, then it was just a quick final hike to the summit.
It wasn't to be though and she would wait for me to summit then join her again, a now familiar pattern! I set off along the path then decided i'd just cut a direct route straight towards the summit, I felt like I needed to expend some proper energy and there were plenty of boulders to scramble up on the way so off I went:
DSC_7960 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking back down at the waiting red dot...
DSC_7962 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I gained height quickly and cut a slight diagonal which soon rewarded me with the west face of Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn Nuis coming into view:
DSC_7963 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Behind me Meall nan Damh, Kilbrannan Sound and Mull of Kintyre look grand:
DSC_7968 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Meall nan Damh, I summit from left to right up the south east ridge a few weeks back but it wasn't as windy, by now it had picked up a bit:
DSC_7969 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Still a wee bit to go...
DSC_7971 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I enter a steeper boulder section and have to clamber up a few big ones which is great fun:
DSC_7973 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I look back for the waiting red dot... except it's not waiting and has already started heading back down the glen!
DSC_7978 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
On my right the A'Chir Ridge is now in view, it looks superb when seen from the west:
DSC_7986 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_7995 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Tarsuinn looks great from here too:
DSC_7996 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I'm now high enough up to see over to the Paps of Jura:
DSC_8000 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Eventually the gradient levels a bit and the boulders get smaller as I head up the large round summit plateau:
DSC_8002 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Glen Iorsa and Iorsa water snaking down to the south, with the pointy peak being Sail Chalmadale, another great hill I was on back in February:
DSC_8005 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the south west over middle Beinn Tarsuinn is Beinn Bharrain:
DSC_8006 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Sail Chalmadale summit and the end of the Mull of Kintyre behind it
DSC_8008 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Mullach Buidhe of Beinn Bharrain:
DSC_8009 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Almost there but as it's a Meall I know the better view of the Corbetts will be further east from the summit cairn so I don't head straight for it:
DSC_8013 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I'm quickly rewarded...
DSC_8015 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Result, a grandstand view of the high Corbetts ridge, no Goatfell required today thanks, the view from left to right running from Caisteal Abhail to Cir Mhór's Matterhorn side, the A'Chir Ridge, Consolation Tor, Beinn Tarsuinn over to Beinn Nuis is more than enough for me!
DSC_8019 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view south isn't too shabby either...
DSC_8021 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
South west and the full ridge of Beinn Bharrain provides the alternative to the rocky Corbett ridges with smooth Graham curves:
DSC_8023 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It was fairly gusty now and chilly despite the sunshine due to the elevation, I take a few close ups of the Corbetts before heading for the cairn.
Caisteal Abhail:
DSC_8027 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Cir Mhór... no more words needed:
DSC_8029 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A'Chir... I will be enjoying you sometime soon:
DSC_8034 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Tarsuinn:
DSC_8036 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Nuis, the small hill in the background far right is Ard Bheinn:
DSC_8038 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
On the way to the summit cairn I spot that a large rock not far away looks to be higher, so head to that as it is clearly the highest point and hill-bagging would later confirm this. The view west to Islay, Meall nan Damh, Jura and the cairn:
DSC_8039 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To be fair it's such a large curved summit that any number of large stones could be higher than the other!
It's underrated and not popular but you know what, I like Beinn Bhreac...
DSC_8048 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
South:
DSC_8051 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The hills around Glen Catacol are fantastic for appreciating both sets of hills on the east and west of the island:
DSC_8052 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
West:
DSC_8053 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Corbetts and cairn, an epic exposed high level scrambling ridge walk:
DSC_8055 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Graham and tops, a very enjoyable high level stroll but it even has a scrambling ridge on the other side:
DSC_8059 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Continuing my look around clockwise:
DSC_8061 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The three tops ahead, I decide i'll save them for another day and drop back doen into Gleann Diomhan to try and catch up with Y after i've enjoyed a little more time on this top notch viewing platform:
DSC_8063 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Towards Lochranza to the north:
DSC_8064 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The rounded hill to the north east is Creag Ghlas Laggan, another brilliant Marilyn viewpoint on the island:
DSC_8066 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
East:
DSC_8068 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
And that's us back to the big hills, Caisteal Abhail in full view from the west, showing it's bulky rounded north west face, Cir Mhór:
DSC_8069 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I enjoy the view of the Corbetts and cairn before setting off down the easy going north west side from Beinn Bhreac's top. Bheinn Bhiorach and Meall Mór up ahead, i'll be back for you two another day...
DSC_8086 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
On the right is a large square cairn or memorial but I decide to continue on:
DSC_8087 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Bheinn Bhiorach and Meall Mór almost close enough to touch:
DSC_8088 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
While heading along towards the steeper drop into the glen...
DSC_8089 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Movement! Well camouflaged:
DSC_8092 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I head down beside a burn coming down the hillside into Gleann Diomhan to rejoin the path again:
DSC_8096 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The descent isn't that bad although I do wish I had one of the walking poles I left in the car, I resolve to always take one from now on regardless of the walk:
DSC_8097 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I make fast progress:
DSC_8100 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8102 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Into the reserve...
DSC_8103 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Out of the reserve...
DSC_8108 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
While heading along at a fairly brisk pace I keep expecting to find Y around the next corner and even stop to attach the zoom lens and still can't spot her, strange, I expect to have caught up with her by now... thoughts of me somehow overtaking her are now on my mind and I really hope I don't get back to the car only to have to head back for her!
DSC_8109 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I have no phone signal but text asking if she's on her way back to the car and wait for it to send when a signal appears as I continue along. Around about here I receive a text confirming she's on the way back, but i'm now at the final few turns before the bridge and she's still not in front of me... hmmm...
DSC_8110 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
On the left I spot a camper van at the car park on the other side of the burn, but it's shallow and low enough that I decide to cross over there and then, giving the boots a clean in the process. I pass the campervan and arrive at the car, only to see Y sit down on the bench outside the car park, I had beaten her to it at the final stretch due to my last minute burn crossing!!
She's as surprised to see me as I am to see her and we laugh about it while both wondering how on earth we never saw each other as she was also looking back expecting to see me!
Glen Catacol definitely has something about it, well worth a visit and Beinn Bhreac is too, next time i'll be adding in some neighbours on a future visit.
Unfortunately the boots problem meant that was all the walking we'd get done so no Mullach Mor or Tighvein for me over the next two days but it wasn't all bad as we got to take full advantage of 20 plus degree heat down the beaches!
DSC_8114 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8472 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
DSC_8479 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Next time...
DSC_8480 by
Chris Mac, on Flickr