Torchlight challenge

Night walk on Goatfell

Fifty walkers braved the cold to climb the 2,866ft of Arran’s highest mountain as part of the Goatfell Torchlight Challenge organised by the Arran Ranger Service.

The charity event last Saturday was to raise money for Arran Mountain Rescue Team and for the repair of the Goatfell path.

Setting off as dusk fell, the aim was to reach the summit by 9pm to light torches and a beacon. The time was synchronised with a similar event on Ben Lomond.

Early rain cleared and the walkers experienced a magnificent evening with a deep red sunset over Kintyre and Jura. The last group arrived at 8.55pm, just in time to light the beacon.

Reports of seeing the lights on Goatfell came from far and wide, including from Ben Lomond, a distance of 55 miles as the crow flies. Torches on, the participants snaked back down Goatfell as they returned from the mountain.

Organisers described the challenge as ‘a great evening’ with the walkers accompanied by members the Arran Mountain Rescue Team and their magnificent pipers Ali Hume and Andy Walker, who piped a few tunes including Auld Lang Syne, despite the wind chill on the summit.

Sponsorship money is still coming in, but £2,778 has been raised so far.

This will all go towards path repairs on Goatfell and to Arran Mountain Rescue Team.

Torches were visible from more than 55 miles away.

Participants gather at the summit of Goatfell.

Rain cleared as walkers made their way to the summit.