A Magnificent Week on Arran (Part two)

[johnkaysleftleg]

Link to part one - http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64093

Once I had sorted out route options for the following days outing in the Pirnmill Hills I once again headed out to take in the sunset, this time to Drumadoon Point. It's strange that such a wild feeling place is right next to a golf course but it's certainly a magical location to watch the sun go down.

The Doon at Sunset by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Into the Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Pirnmill Hills, 14km 892m, 31st May 2016

We were up bright and early for the short drive up the west coast to Pirnmill. Unsurprisingly parking was easy but we did note the time the local shop stayed open to, giving us a target to finish by so we could get some ice creams
This route had a nice easy start with a gentle incline making its way through a mixture of farmland and very attractive woods. Soon enough the spectacular waterfall in the Allt Gobhlach came into view. It's hard to believe that it's just marked 'falls' on the map. They are a spectacular sight and definitely worth a name of there own. Perhaps Thundergay falls after the tiny hamlet we would pass through later in the walk.

Beautiful Morning at Pirnmill by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hughie in the Woods by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Twin Ridges of Beinn Bharrain by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Falls in the Allt Gobhlach by Anthony Young, on Flickr

We followed the Allt Gobhlach up stream for a while enjoying it's many delightful cascades and pools before the flattish area of moorland was reached. This is no doubt rather wet most of the time but it provided an easy largely dry trudge to the base of right hand ridge.
Climbing soon began in earnest but once the slabs were reached things go a whole lot more interesting as we made our way upwards to the slightly intimidating rocky tower ahead. As the Walkhighlnds correctly suggests however a couple of easy rakes get you up on the ridge to start the traverse.


Allt Gobhlach and Beinn Bharrain by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Approaching the rocky tower by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the slabs by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Grace taking it all in by Anthony Young, on Flickr

This ridge is a great place to be and quite reminiscent of Striding Edge on Helvellyn. For the most part the going is easy with only simple scrambling but at times it's very exposed meaning that all three of my companions resorted to all fours for one small section. Having read the walk description we were aware that the ridge had a sting in the tail and following a few half hearted efforts discretion proved the better part of valor and we dropped off the crest of the ridge to the right. The main path dropping below the crags looked like it lost quite a bit of height so we decided to wind our way back upwards via a turf clutching scramble and finished off back on the crest.

Panorama from the ridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Intimidating finish to the ridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Wilder Side of Life by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Following a simple trudge up grassy slopes we arrived at the summit and tucked into lunch. The views in all directions were simply magnificent with the mountains of Jura, Mull, the mainland and of course Arran's own wonderful ridges and peaks seen beautifully.

Looking back to the Ridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Mullach Buidhe by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grace and Hughie by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Epic Hughie Shot by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The is a walk of great contrasts and the next section is the hill walking equivalent of a Sunday stroll as Beinn Bhreac comes and goes in a walk over firm turf with stunning views. The drop down to Coire-Fhionn Lochan was surprisingly eroded given we had encountered only two other walkers all day but soon enough we were next to the delightful lochan and sorely tempted to have a paddle.

Descending to Bealach an Fharaidh by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Goat Fell Ranges from the way up Beinn Bhreac by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back at our route by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coire-Fhionn Lochan comes into view by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coire-Fhionn Lochan by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A check of the time revealed that the window of Ice cream opportunity was closing so I pushed on ahead of Nicola, Grace and Hughie in-order to catch the shop before it closed. It was hot work walking back along the tarmac but I managed to catch the shop before closing time and retrieved my companions so we could dip our feet in the wonderfully cool sea to ease the rigors of the day.

Fairy Dell from Lochranza, 5km 99m, 1st June 2016

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/arran/fairy-dell.shtml

The next day we decided to explore the North of the Island and stopped at the beautiful ferry port of Lochranza. From here we walked along the coast to the Fairy Dell and back along the higher track. It was a scorcher of a day so a short but beautiful walk was just what the doctor ordered.
Here are a few pics from the day.

Lochranza Castle by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Lochranza by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking up the loch towards Casteal Abhail by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Rocky Foreshore by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sea Pinks by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Along the coast to the Fairy Dell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Climbing up the hillside by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sail Away with Me by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Overlooking Lochranza by Anthony Young, on Flickr

[dooterbang]

Awesome photography yet again - sublime!

Looked at these hills so many times when cycling round the Island...must get up them soon

Cheers.

[simon-b]

Lovely pictures, Anthony. I'm hoping to get to Arran before too long.

[dav2930]

Arran is such a wonderful island. Looked like an adventurous day you all had on Beinn Bharrain.

Great report to read JK but your photos are breathtaking. The coastal sunsets (also in part one) are something else. Love the poetic caption for the second shot - 'Into the living sea of waking dreams'. Beautiful.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Awesome photography yet again - sublime!

Looked at these hills so many times when cycling round the Island...must get up them soon

Cheers.

Many thanks, Arran's hills are fantastic a must not miss.

Lovely pictures, Anthony. I'm hoping to get to Arran before too long.

Cheers Simon, now you've finished your Munro quest Arran is the perfect way to start your way around the Corbetts.

Arran is such a wonderful island. Looked like an adventurous day you all had on Beinn Bharrain.

Great report to read JK but your photos are breathtaking. The coastal sunsets (also in part one) are something else. Love the poetic caption for the second shot - 'Into the living sea of waking dreams'. Beautiful.

Thanks Dav, it's a very fine ridge. The title is a line out of a poem called 'I Am' by John Clare.

[pamfox]

Looks like you had a great week Anthony Beautiful pics. I've made a very small start on the Corbetts over there (just the one) but going back next year

[Alteknacker]

Brilliant pics, as usual .

Don't know these hills at all, but it just illustrates what a wonderful place Arran is, and what variety there is in such a small area.

And what great weather you had!!

[johnkaysleftleg]

Looks like you had a great week Anthony Beautiful pics. I've made a very small start on the Corbetts over there (just the one) but going back next year

Thanks Pam, I think we'll be returning to Arran many times

Brilliant pics, as usual .

Don't know these hills at all, but it just illustrates what a wonderful place Arran is, and what variety there is in such a small area.

And what great weather you had!!

Cheers most kind, these hills are quite different in character to the main ranges but for a quiet day they're superb.