Meet Report: 23-25 September 2022. Lochranza SYHA.

Arran was last visited by the club in 2018 and so this meet was very much looked forward to having been postponed twice due to Covid in 2020 and 2021. Nine members and a guest enjoyed the facilities of the Lochranza SYHA at the northern end of the island, with several making their first visit.

Pre-meet Activities

Mick and Hilary arrived early on Arran on Wednesday evening and warmed up with visits to the Glenashdale Falls and the Giants Graves chambered burial cairns. The Machrie Moor stone circles and standing stones are in a moorland setting with the northern Arran peaks ranged behind and were well worth a visit. This was followed by walk along part of the Arran Coastal Way past a series of caves including the King’s Cave in the sandstone cliff of the raised beach and a columnar basalt cliff of the Doon.

Pete and Anne arrived on Thursday ascended Goatfell during the afternoon via the tourist path in fine weather. The views from the summit were amazing.

John and Bob arrived on Thursday, and on Friday they enjoyed a cycle trip around the Northern half of the Island passing south by Sannox, Corrie and the outskirts of Brodick before climbing up “The String” and then descending across to the western coast. On the climb up The String they were intrigued to hear the sounds of distant bagpipes, and this spurred them on to find the source of the music. A lone piper was found to be practicing in a layby near the top of the pass! Cycling up the North West coast in beautiful weather they had sightings of various seabirds, seals perched on rocks close to the shore, and dramatically contorted and Dalradian aged rocks. Altogether a recommendable circuit for the diversity of scenery and views on quiet roads.

The rest of the party arrived on Friday evening.

Saturday 24th September

Mick, Jamie, Bob and John set off to traverse the North Sannox Horseshoe on a lovely morning in as fine weather as you could wish for. Blue skies, little wind and fantastic views accompanied us for the entire round via Sail an Im, Creag Dubh and Carn Mor topping out after a short scramble on Caisteal Abhail. The lunchtime views across to Cir Mhor, Goat Fell and Cioch na h’Oighe were superb. Most of the party were entertained by crossing the deep notch of Ceum na Caillich (the Witch’s Step) for the first time before following the ridge over Suidhe Fhearghas and back down to the car park, and on to the Corrie Hotel for a welcome pint after an excellent day.

Chris and Ian opted for a visit to the less frequented Pirnmill Hills and did a round of Beinn Bharrain via the interesting scramble up its north ridge and on to Mullach Buide, Beinn Bhreac and Coire-Fhionn Lochan, then down to Thundergay and along the coast road to Pirnmill.

Harvey caught the bus to Brodick planning a walk into Glen Rosa but couldn’t resist the temptation to ascend Goat Fell in the fantastic weather.

Pete and Anne enjoyed a rest day exploring Lochranza and surroundings, spotting red squirrels and deer, and taking in the distillery! Hilary cycled part of the coast path from Lochranza.

Everyone had built up a good appetite, so Hilary’s delicious dinner of pate, stuffed chicken breast wrapped in smoked bacon, local Arran and other cheeses followed by apple crumble and vanilla custard was much appreciated.

Sunday 25th September

The forecasted weather brought the prospect of low cloud, rain and gale force winds, so we stuck to low level alternatives.

Chris and Ian decided to visit the Kings Cave on the west coast and also saw the fossilised footprints of a giant reptile that roamed Arran 200 million years ago.

Mick, Jamie, Bob and John walked the Arran Coastal Way from Sannox to Lochranza, past Laggan Cottage and around the Cock of Arran pausing at a number of interesting geological features including the notable Hutton’s Unconformity, where brown Carboniferous sandstone overlays much older grey Dalradian schists. A dark red squirrel was seen on the way back.

Pete and Anne also did a coastal walk along the northern shore of the ‘Cock of Arran’.

Hilary served us quiche followed by her boeuf bourguignon with garlic bread and veg, more cheese, then tiramisu to finish and was warmly thanked by Chris for her culinary efforts on our behalf.

Monday 26th September

Most headed for one of the early morning ferries. Mick had an afternoon sailing, so he had time to do a round of the hills above Coire-Fhionn Lochan from Thundergay with good views across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre in between some brief rain squalls.

Pete and Anne did some off-road biking in the southern woods via Sliddery, Lamlash, and finishing at Kilmory and the famous Velo Cafe for refreshments.

Attendees

Mick Borroff, Ian Hawkes, Chris Hilton, Anne Latham, Pete Latham, Harvey Lomas, Jamie Parker, Bob Peckham, John Sutcliffe and Hilary Tearle (G).