Gleann Diomhan, Beinn Bhreac, Gleann Easan Biorach
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:22 pmFor the timing: we left Catacol at 3pm, and arrived back at Lochranza at noon the following day
First day route
We got the bus from Brodick to Catacol, walking down the stretch of the town and onto the path where we came across a sign detailing about Arran's endemic trees: the Catacol whitebeam, Arran whitebeam, and Arran service tree, which are further up the path in Gleann Diomhan.
Following the stream, we passed a landslide formation.
Walking up Glen Catacol
Spotted a caterpillar who luckily missed our boots
Looking back at Glen Catacol just by the fence of Gleann Diomhan's nature reserve
Inside the nature reserve, steep gorges restricted our ability to see the rare trees closer up.
Further up the glen we left the reserve through the fence and came next to the crystal clear waters of the stream for some much-needed water wading, and the chance to fill our water bottles up
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Feeling refreshed we arrived at the natural stone formations carved through aeons of the trickling water
Nearing the end of Gleann Diomhan, looking back
Ascending Beinn Bhreac, we went a bad route which consisted of steep pathless hand and feet scrambling on loose scree for hours, notice the torment of the ever-growing shadows.
At the top of Beinn Bhreac, about 6 red deer scampered off the summit the moment we arrived at the cairn. Complete silence. A brilliant view of the Paps of Jura, Argyll, North Ayrshire, Caisteal Abhail, Cir Mhor, A'Chir Ridge, Beinn Nuis, and the west of the island. We were treated to a near full moon, with a prominent Mars saddled between A'Chir and Cir Mhor, Jupiter and Saturn visible as well. Due to the extensive sky, proximity to the solstice, and bright moon, it never really got properly dark.
Day 2 route
Early rise from the sun, looking over Glen Iorsa
Heading back down, you can see the southern tip of Lochranza village
Finally rejoined a path, on Gleann Easan Biorach
Lovely gorge we clambered down to briefly
Back to civilisation
First day route
We got the bus from Brodick to Catacol, walking down the stretch of the town and onto the path where we came across a sign detailing about Arran's endemic trees: the Catacol whitebeam, Arran whitebeam, and Arran service tree, which are further up the path in Gleann Diomhan.
Following the stream, we passed a landslide formation.
Walking up Glen Catacol
Spotted a caterpillar who luckily missed our boots
Looking back at Glen Catacol just by the fence of Gleann Diomhan's nature reserve
Inside the nature reserve, steep gorges restricted our ability to see the rare trees closer up.
Further up the glen we left the reserve through the fence and came next to the crystal clear waters of the stream for some much-needed water wading, and the chance to fill our water bottles up
[/url]Feeling refreshed we arrived at the natural stone formations carved through aeons of the trickling water
Nearing the end of Gleann Diomhan, looking back
Ascending Beinn Bhreac, we went a bad route which consisted of steep pathless hand and feet scrambling on loose scree for hours, notice the torment of the ever-growing shadows.
At the top of Beinn Bhreac, about 6 red deer scampered off the summit the moment we arrived at the cairn. Complete silence. A brilliant view of the Paps of Jura, Argyll, North Ayrshire, Caisteal Abhail, Cir Mhor, A'Chir Ridge, Beinn Nuis, and the west of the island. We were treated to a near full moon, with a prominent Mars saddled between A'Chir and Cir Mhor, Jupiter and Saturn visible as well. Due to the extensive sky, proximity to the solstice, and bright moon, it never really got properly dark.
Day 2 route
Early rise from the sun, looking over Glen Iorsa
Heading back down, you can see the southern tip of Lochranza village
Finally rejoined a path, on Gleann Easan Biorach
Lovely gorge we clambered down to briefly
Back to civilisation