The Arran Banner

Mountain festival delays bookings due to restrictio­ns

- By Colin Smeeton editor@arranbanne­r.co.uk

Organisers of the popular Arran Mountain Festival, who usually open their booking lines in December each year, have decided to once again postpone taking bookings until they have a clearer idea of what kind of festival they will be able to run this year.

The event is scheduled to take place from Friday May 14 to Monday May 17, with a number of guided walks on Arran’s most popular mountains and high-level pathways on offer for visitors and residents.

But due to the ongoing uncertaint­y regarding Covid restrictio­ns, the committee has decided it will be best to wait until a clearer picture emerges so that they can tailor their festival to accommodat­e any restrictio­ns at the time.

An Arran Mountain Festival spokespers­on said: ‘We know this is not the news you were hoping for and appreciate that you are keen to plan your Arran Mountain Festival adventure as soon as possible. However, opening our booking lines closer to the event will help secure the viability of our community-run, not-for-profit festival for future years.

‘The festival team is planning event options tailored to different potential restrictio­n levels which may still be in place come May. We certainly are determined to offer as much of the usual Arran Mountain Festival as we can. Stay up to date with what’s happening via our social media channels and thank you for your understand­ing and ongoing support.’

Last year’s festival, like many events throughout the UK, had to be cancelled for the first time in what would have been its 14th consecutiv­e year.

The festival attracts huge numbers of people each year and features up to 30 events squeezed into the four-day schedule. All walks are undertaken by qualified guides and are rated from moderate to extreme. There are some night hikes too and many of the walks include a post walk coffee, tea, cake and natter to discuss the day’s events.

 ?? Goeckeritz. Photograph: Corinna ?? Participan­ts enjoy stunning views during the Witch’s Step guided walk in 2019.
Goeckeritz. Photograph: Corinna Participan­ts enjoy stunning views during the Witch’s Step guided walk in 2019.
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