Spotlight switches to next year’s mountain festival

Organisers busy setting dates and preparing 2021 programme

This weekend the island should have been alive with the buzz of walkers flocking to the Arran hills for the community-run annual Arran Mountain Festival.

Despite its forced cancellation, previously reported in the Banner, festival organisers have been busy.

The dates for next year’s event have been set for May 14 to 17, 2021 and the festival programme will be published this weekend, with bookings opening later this year. On the event’s social media channels, would-be festival goers have been provided with a virtual mountain fix with images of the Arran mountains from the archives and some of the organisers’ local low-level walks.

The festival is grateful for the patience and generosity of the people who had booked for this year’s event, many of which have donated their walk fees to the not-for-profit event, supporting its future, as well as Arran Mountain Rescue Team and Arran Trust. Similarly, the

local businesses supporting the festival have kindly carried forward their sponsorship to 2021.

In the meantime, everyone must continue to heed the advice of Scottish Mountain Rescue – see www.scottishmountainrescue.org/for the latest – and not venture into the high hills, so as not to put mountain rescue volunteers and other emergency services at risk.

The mountains will still be there when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Find out more about the Arran Mountain Festival by visiting www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk, and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

Photograph: Robin Barnden. A mountain festival group on Beinn a’Chliabhain.

Photograph: Alastair Howe. Two mountain festival walkers on the south ridge of Goatfell.

Alastair Howe. Photograph: Taking in the view of Beinn Tarsuinn in the sunshine.

Photograph: Alastair Howe. A group take a well-earned rest at the Witches Step.