As you approach the Isle of Arran on the ferry from a distance, the hills appear serene and pleasant. However, up close, the peaks reveal rocky outcrops that are sheer in places, providing an excellent challenge for those willing to attempt the climbs. During the July meet, the ferries were busy and booked well in advance, so walking or cycling over became the only option. The weather was excellent, with high temperatures, low wind, and the chance of sunshine. Folks gathered at the Glen Rosa campsite on Friday evening. The campsite is notorious for its midge population, and the still conditions in the glen meant they were out in force. Most attendees were well-prepared, donning midge nets and tucking in their clothes to minimize bites the dreaded midge.
On a Saturday, the group divided their efforts between climbing and scrambling routes. Rob, Christabel, and Ruth embarked on the formidable South Ridge Direct route of Cir Mhor, a 345-meter VS*** climb on exposed granite. This challenging ascent involved 11 pitches, demanding serious crack climbing skills and precise moves. The route was nestled deep within the glen, necessitating a 2.5-hour approach hike before the epic 8-hour climb. They eventually returned back at 9pm, a mere 12 and a half hours after setting out.
Steve and Zac embarked on an ambitious journey, tackling the Corbetts of Beinn Tarsuinn, Caisteal Abhail, and Cir Mhor. Opting for the direct route via the A’ Chir ridge traverse (graded as Moderate ***), they encountered exhilarating moments and faced the need for abseils to descend certain sections. However, fate played a trick at the notorious ‘bad step’: someone had mistakenly set up decoy tat in the wrong spot. Steve unwittingly abseiled off before realising the error and having to climb back up to retry the obstacle. As they retraced their steps into the glen, they played the game of ‘spot the climbers.’ Looking back at the ridge, they tried to identify the climber still navigating the route based on the colour of their helmet.
The following day, the group opted for a relatively gentler route. They ascended Goat Fell via the tourist path, taking in the clear weather and moving at a leisurely pace. Their legs still felt the previous day’s exertions, but the shifting clouds allowed glimpses of stunning views from the summit. For most of the group, the descent followed the North Goat Fell route, adding a dash of excitement by traversing directly over the large tors on the connecting ridge.
As the day wound down, they savoured a pre-ferry pizza from ‘The Parlour’ on Brodick’s seafront, a highly recommended treat. Despite ferry-related hiccups (with the return re-routed from Ardrossan to Troon), everyone eventually made it back. Kudos to all for fantastic company and ticking off some bucket-list climbs.
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