A wonderful weekend in the mountains
Another successful Arran Mountain Festival was held over the weekend of May 12 to May 15, offering a variety of mountain walks and runs.
From wildlife-watching coastal walks to airy scrambles on towering granite ridges, the festival represents Scottish hillwalking at its best and more than 150 participants took part this year.
There were 21 walks and two runs on offer. A new walk explored the history of the Goatfell Murder - or was it? - tracing the 1889 route of John Laurie and his ill-fated companion Edwin Rose from Brodick, over both Goatfell summits and down Glen Sannox - itself a fantastic walk high on the Victorian tourist itinerary.
Other walks included a Lochranza to Brodick mountain walk, the Witch’s Step, Castles and Sail an Im, the extreme A’Chir ridge scramble and a mountain walk on Holy Isle. On the Saturday, some walkers were treated to a cloud inversion after emerging from the thick fog that shrouded Brodick for most of the day.
Another option was to test out or to learn map and compass skills “in the wild” with a tutored wander into a pathless part of the mountains.
For the more energetic, there were opportunities for guided runs along the skylines of Arran.
One first-time participant posted on social media after a walk: “Today showed me what the Arran Mountain Festival is really about as a newbie. It’s about like-minded people on the hill, doing something that brings us so much happiness and comfort. It’s about deep chats, sharing stories and just being happy to have the chance to be out on the hill, even in some grim weather.”
Walkers and runners all had high praise for the knowledgeable and talented leaders of the walks and there were many tales exchanged during coffee and cakes at the end of the walks.
A festival spokesman said: “All our fabulous walk leaders generously volunteer their time, skills and expertise for the festival. This allows us to keep our costs low, making our guided days out in the Arran hills more affordable.”
Some participants also enjoyed a sell-out ceilidh featuring the Boathouse Ceilidh Band at Brodick Hall on the Saturday night.