walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Cir Royale

Cir Royale


Postby kevsbald » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:39 pm

Route description: Cìr Mhòr and Beinn Tarsuinn

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Tarsuinn, Cìr Mhòr

Date walked: 01/03/2011

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 19 km

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

After having done Beinn Bharrain, my Saturday objective was a route up Glen Rosa over Beinn Tarsuinn, the A'Chir ridge and Cir Mhor. The mountain porn had been examined weeks in advance and my other half had been getting worried that I was actually spending more time with my head in maps and the Corbetts book, than with her. Yes, it was possible. The route described called for 'rock-climbing' skills and preferably with a rope and partner. I had neither but was prepared to bail out if things got too precarious. I felt quite comfortable that I'd be able to circumvent any problems. Before the A'Chir ridge however, the pleasant amble along and into Glen Rosa, with the early morning light was lovely. As is often the case with Arran (me being a veteran after 24 hours), the clag was down and the majestic tops couldn't be seen. There was a hint of something sharp and craggy in between snippets of cloud and it only heightened my anticipation - my loins were on fire! I reached the burn, which cascaded down from Beinn Nuis. However, it had always been my intention to go over Beinn a Chliabhain rather than Beinn Nuis. Which I instantly regretted once I was on BaC as Beinn Nuis to Beinn Tarsuinn looked fantastic. Instead, the route I chose was a nice little intro to what was lying ahead and what it did offer was a tremendous view over Goatfell and the A'Chir ridge. Beinn Tarsuinn was covered in clag and I worried that this would be the same the whole way along. My descent off Beinn Tarsuinn was 'interesting' - I came down through some crags, which exercised the old tricep muscles...ahem. Anyway, I began the walk/scramble along the ridge and it was good fun. Until it started snowing. Until it got quite, eh, hard. I stopped in a wee 'cave', took stock and decided to go on any further would be utterly daft - this seemed a good point to get out while I could and so I descended a funnel of rock back to the walkers path. Suitably chastened, I headed on to the col after the ridge and looked up to my 2nd objective, Cir Mhor. A bastion of rock jutted out into the Glen and as I climbed higher, I had great views over to Caisteal Abhail, its magnificent corrie and over to Goatfell, which looked a different beast from this angle. I got the impression that at the top of Cir Mhor, it was straight down on many sides and it felt very exposed. It was all mine though and I was stunned that on a Saturday, I was the only one around. My descent down into Glen Rosa took time but it was a lovely area. Eyes cast back to the Witch's step and I knew I'd be back to Arran for more of this. I can't wait.


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

cir1.jpg
Glen Rosa - early morning glow
cir2.jpg
Heading on to Beinn a Chliabhain
cir3.jpg
Goatfell looking tasty
cir4.jpg
Looking back towards Brodick and Glen Rosa head
cir5.jpg
The arch stone - guid wee shelter under Tarsuinn
cir6.jpg
Top of Tarsuinn - no place to slip
cir7.jpg
Good place to stop on A'Chir and re-think

View My Video
cir8.jpg
Looking back to A'Chir - I'll get you next time!
cir9.jpg
Cir Mhor with Goatfell in the distance
cir10.jpg
Caisteal Abhail in the distance
cir12.jpg
South bastion of rock from Cir Mhor
cir13.jpg
I love the contrasts of this shot
cir14.jpg
Goatfell in all its glory
User avatar
kevsbald
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2248
Munros:273   Corbetts:134
Fionas:82   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:29   
Joined: Jan 15, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Cir Royale

Postby PauloUK77 » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:45 pm

What a fantastic looking place, I would love some time on Arran to explore.
User avatar
PauloUK77
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 324
Munros:2   Corbetts:3
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:12   Hewitts:43
Wainwrights:28   
Joined: Nov 30, 2009
Location: Cleethorpes Lincolnshire

Re: Cir Royale

Postby foggieclimber » Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:03 pm

Terrific report. Hope to get back to Arran sometime - great hills!
foggieclimber
 
Posts: 1041
Joined: Aug 9, 2009

Re: Cir Royale

Postby soulminer » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:13 pm

Looking forward to Arran this Summer. Your report certainly whets the appetite 8)
Cheers.
User avatar
soulminer
 
Posts: 804
Joined: Mar 18, 2010
Location: Johnstone

Re: Cir Royale

Postby yokehead » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:24 pm

Certainly looks a superb place to be. As well as those on WH I've read a few very enjoyable accounts of visits from the old school of WH Murray and others, they were all highly complementary about what was on offer and not just the rock climbing.

I agree your photo 13 is a stunner, and so is no. 12. :D 8)

I can see why you want to go back, as you say a partner and rope would be good, and good weather as well to see what you're getting into! :)
User avatar
yokehead
 
Posts: 702
Munros:73   Corbetts:9
Fionas:1   
Hewitts:118
Wainwrights:23   
Joined: Nov 13, 2008

Re: Cir Royale

Postby Graeme D » Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:30 pm

Jeezo man! Whit ye tryin' tae dae tae me???? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Now, where's that Arran ferry timetable.......???
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Cir Royale

Postby kevsbald » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:27 am

Sorry Graeme. But I deliberately left Caisteal Abhail and Goatfell for a return - hope you'll join me!
User avatar
kevsbald
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2248
Munros:273   Corbetts:134
Fionas:82   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:29   
Joined: Jan 15, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Cir Royale

Postby Paul Webster » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:51 am

Superb report Kev.... far too many years since I was last on Arran :(
User avatar
Paul Webster
Site Admin
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 5826
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:71   Donalds:45+17
Sub 2000:121   Hewitts:133
Wainwrights:135   Islands:92
Joined: Jan 6, 2007
Location: Highland
Walk wish-list

Re: Cir Royale

Postby kevsbald » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:22 am

Cheers Paul,

did you like my video? I thought it justified my decision to get the hill off of A'Chir.
Can't wait to head back and tackle Abhail, the Witch's step and perhaps the N ridge of Goat Fell.

Truly wonderful place.
User avatar
kevsbald
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2248
Munros:273   Corbetts:134
Fionas:82   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:29   
Joined: Jan 15, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Cir Royale

Postby Paul Webster » Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:53 am

:shock: Oops, missed your video the first time I read. I wouldn't need any excuse to avoid A Chir anyway :D
User avatar
Paul Webster
Site Admin
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 5826
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:71   Donalds:45+17
Sub 2000:121   Hewitts:133
Wainwrights:135   Islands:92
Joined: Jan 6, 2007
Location: Highland
Walk wish-list

Re: Cir Royale

Postby malky_c » Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:29 am

kevsbald wrote:(me being a veteran after 24 hours)


:lol: Classic -I have often appointed myself as an expert of somewhere after a similar amount of time :lol:

Great photos and a timely reminder for me to go and spend some more time over on Arran, and do some proper walks/scrambles.
User avatar
malky_c
 
Posts: 6342
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:80+37
Sub 2000:315   Hewitts:281
Wainwrights:140   Islands:39
Joined: Nov 22, 2009
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Cir Royale

Postby ChrisW » Wed Mar 02, 2011 2:51 pm

great report and pics, brings back memories of school days (the last time I was on Arran) :D
User avatar
ChrisW
Rambler
 
Posts: 4941
Munros:18   Corbetts:5
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:6   
Joined: Jan 25, 2011
Location: Cochrane- Alberta - Canada

Re: Cir Royale

Postby Graeme D » Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:30 pm

kevsbald wrote:Sorry Graeme. But I deliberately left Caisteal Abhail and Goatfell for a return - hope you'll join me!


Wild horses Kev - wild horses! :lol: As long as you're no talking about this month! :(
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Cir Royale

Postby Mama Bean » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:14 pm

Aw magic!! How nice to see a report from the home turf! :D
That bloody A'Chir... my white elephant that one... been up everything here hunners but not that bugger. Easy enough to get to the top, but it ain't about tops with her, it's about traverses. Aim to do it this spring with a superhero type friend... Cackitty Breeckity :wtf:
The Glen Sannox horseshoe is a peach of a day, one side of the Witch's Step is a roper (unless you have balls of steel or the bravado of youth, or both :lol: )
Cheers!
YAY!! Everyone come to Arran!!
User avatar
Mama Bean
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Sep 26, 2009
Location: Isle of Arran

Re: Cir Royale

Postby kinley » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:28 pm

Nice - not set foot on Arran yet - it looks great 8) :D
kinley
 

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: alex_law2000, Becca, BlackPanther, BobJohnson8, nickzip, ppeters and 81 guests
cron