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School was out, holidays were here and it was time to enjoy myself. Before heading north for the summer I decided to have a trip to Arran – the weather was looking cracking so it was worth the early start, although when I collapsed onto the 6.45am train it didn’t feel like it just yet!
However, a cup of tea and bacon roll on the ferry followed by the wind in my face was making me feel a bit less like a zombie
Holy Isle
The other ferry
I was off the ferry; felt fairly inferior next to all the cyclists in their lycra (although that had been me about 2 weeks earlier
) and headed off along the road, took the String Road for a few metres before taking the road to Glen Rosa. This became a track after the camp site although the ground was fine for cycling on the mountain bike.
Ahead on Glen Rosa
As I approached the bridge the going became less good but still largely cyclable
Finally a few metres before the bridge I had to get off, pushed to the bench and dumped the bike in a pile of bracken. Hopefully I’d remember which bit of jungle I’d left it in later
Looking up the glen to Cir Mhor – wow
I had a swift rearrange – largely removal of helmet and addition of poles before crossing the bridge and setting off up the side of the burn
It was steep uphill but on a good path and I gained height quickly and giving great views back down the glen
Looking back to the bridge
Next ferry coming
As I gained height I could see waterfalls in the Garbh Allt below me
Out the top of steepest bit the ground became boggier and I had to hop around a bit to avoid getting wet feet – I’d come out in trail shoes as it was too hot to imagine wearing boots! At least I had a good view back to Goat Fell!
Beinn Nuis and Beinn Tarsuinn behind the waterfalls
Waterfall – I was going to have to cross this burn soon!
The ridge ahead was looking brilliant and I couldn’t wait to get on it
Crossing the burn wasn’t as bad as it had looked – but did involve a bit of a drop into a trench
Once across the burn there were again some damp underfoot conditions but fortunately enough bits of rock and dry grass to hop across relatively unscathed
And the views back to Brodick and the Holy Isle were worth it
The impressive Beinn Nuis
It was steep uphill and I had to keep stopping or slowing down so I didn’t injure myself…but the views out towards Cir Mhor were starting to get really exciting
Beinn Nuis around to Goat Fell
The A’Chir ridge and Cir Mhor
As I climbed the views back the way improved too
A’Chir, Cir Mhor and Goat Fell
As I hit the ridge and started to climb upwards the first of the wee squalls hit – it was easy to hide from as it was so windy that I just stood in the lee of a big rock
A few minutes later the shower had passed and I was on the pointed summit of Beinn Nuis – a fabulous viewpoint along the ridge ahead
Beinn Tarsuinn, Cir Mhor and Goat Fell
Goat Fell
Along the ridge looked fantastic – it was so windy I didn’t want to hang around too long
Heading down the path it was time to get moving – I couldn’t get over how big and impressive the rocks here are
Beinn Bharrain and Meall nam Damh
Looking back to Beinn Nuis
Giant rocks
Ailsa Craig
Heading up towards Beinn Tarsuinn itself was on an easy grassy ridge but the rocks on the edge were amazing
The impressive summit of Beinn Tarsuinn
Goat Fell looking incredible from this angle
I thought this looked like a man’s face at the time – turns out it’s the well known Old Man of Tarsuinn
My first thought on arriving at the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn was that it was the perfect summit camp spot! My second thought was f***ing hell it’s windy
Giant crevasse
I wasn’t quite sure which bit was the summit – looking back from the 2nd one, which was just as windy as the first
Goat Fell
A’ Chir, Cir Mhor and Caisteal Abhail
Beinn Tarsuinn summit
I hid behind a rock for a few minutes just to get out of the wind – it was a relief not to be battered just for a short time! Then I was off again…dropping down towards the bealach with the A’ Chir ridge, impressive ahead
I made a bit of a mess of getting down this part of the ridge – being short coupled with trying to be careful not to lower myself down and risk aggravating the injury made for very slow progress and lots of route changes
There was probably an easier way..
On the way down another wee squall hit forcing me to hide behind a rock for another couple of minutes. This gave me the opportunity for a quick change – it was a bit windy and cold for the shorts
At the bealach I took the pussy path – I’d love to give the A’Chir ridge a go sometime but this was not the day for it! I depressingly dropped a fair amount of height but it was a relatively decent path and the views up the slabs were impressive. But most importantly – it was out of the wind
Paps of Jura
Looking back towards Beinn Tarsuinn
As I climbed back onto the ridge I could see out to Beinn Bharrain and Meall nam Damh again – these hills look fantastic
Looking back along the A’Chir ridge
Ahead to Cir Mhor
Goat Fell looking, if possible, even more impressive
The Holy Isle poking out between ridges
Ahead to Caisteal Abhail – I was considering doing something daft at this point as it looked so impressive
I bumped into a couple here – they said it was windy up top
But the sun was out and the views were good!
As I climbed higher the views got better and better, back to A’Chir, Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn a’ Chliabain
It wasn’t a difficult climb, the gradient wasn’t even that bad so I had no excuse for stopping for photos. But I did anyway
Caisteal Abhail again
The final ascent – a slight scramble up slabs
Glen Rosa
This felt a lot more precarious than it looks
Reaching the top I dumped my stuff and sat down to enjoy the views – and what views
Beinn Tarsuinn
Zoom of the witches cleft
Looking down Glen Sannox to the Cumbraes
Beinn Tarsuinn
Glen Rosa
Bit windy for a Jaxter so this is the best I could do
It was the perfect spot for a wee sandwich and relax
Climb around a wee precarious outcrop got me a great view of Caisteal Abhail – common sense had caught up with me and I decided to leave it for another day
Excuse the wind
After a long sit I decided I ought to get going – it was a long way back down Glen Rosa for the ferry and I didn’t want to be cutting it too fine
These cool wee rocks intrigued me!
As I dropped down I caught a final glimpse of Caisteal Abhail – unfinished business for another time
The path down to Glen Rosa was incredibly steep and I was trying to be very careful with my knees; a perfect opportunity to stop and take photos of Cir Mhor from the side – incredible rocks that changed with practically every step
Looking back up to A’Chir
Cir Mhor
The Rosa Slabs on Goat Fell
Cir Mhor again
Looking down Glen Rosa – beautiful but an awfully long way
Looking back again
Once down the steep section it was much easier walking – the path was good except for one boggy wee section as the path from the saddle joined and I made much faster progress.
It was hot work down in the glen – not that I was complaining about the lack of wind!!!
Nice wee waterfall
Cir Mhor – cant get over how amazing this hill looks
Some careful footwork required to avoid this wee guy
Back at the bridge it was time for a wee bit of rejigging – poles away, helmet and bike out. And what a view
I had ages before the ferry so took my time sorting things and soaking up the views before jumping back on the bike – I hadn’t really noticed any uphill on the way out but I barely had to pedal back out, on the track anyway!
Looking back to Beinn Nuis
Goat Fell – not so exciting from this angle!
I got to Brodick in time for a wee visit to the Coop to stock up on orange juice and ice cream – the essentials
A unicone – very pretty and also very tasty
Here comes my ride
Eventually on the ferry it was absolutely stunning and I stayed out most of the way back for the views
Looking back on a wonderful day on Arran – definitely be back
