Lots to see and do at mountain festival

The Arran Mountain Festival starts next weekend running from Friday May 19 to Monday May 22.

Described as Scotland’s premier hillwalking and mountain festival, it is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, discover the island and have unforgettable days in the safe hands of experienced local walking leaders.

Many of the walks are already booked up, but there is plenty going on as part of the festival.

An art exhibition and sale is currently running upstairs at Arran Active, which is available for everyone to enjoy. This will run until the end of the month.

Next Friday night there will be a talk entitled A Short History of Mountains and Light, by Professor Jonathan Pitches and featuring Moonwalker author Alan Rowan, at the Ormidale Hotel. The event starts at 7.30pm and is a free event that follows a late-night opening at Arran Active.

On Saturday, again following a late-night opening at Arran Active, the fun and games continue with the annual family ceilidh at Brodick Hall from 7.30pm until 11pm.

Everyone is welcome and music will be by the Arranach Ceilidh Band.

Tickets (adult £5, child £3) can be bought in advance from Arran Active, or on the door.

Once an appetite has been worked up, locally-renowned Hooked and Cooked’s mobile chip van will be on site to buy supper from.

As the event is BYOB those attending are invited bring their own refreshments.

The evening will raise funds for the festival, which is entirely organised by volunteers.

It has steadily grown from year to year since it began in 2007, and has helped to put Arran firmly on the map as one of the best mountain walking destinations in the UK.

For all details about this year’s Arran Mountain Festival, please see: www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk