Glen Rosa horseshoe
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NS000376 Park at the Glen Rosa Campsite. Parking here is limited, so either stay at the site or turn up early on peak days. It is possible to park at the Arran Heritage Centre and take an alternative route into the valley, adding some time and with a bit of extra nav. From the car park listed, head north-west, keeping the woodland to your left
and the Glen Rosa Water to your right. Essentially, you are handrailing the river all the way up the valley. You’ll cross a small footbridge, then pass through a fenced section and eventually get to another awkward crossing at a dip. This one can be bit rough after rainfall. Continue north, climbing more steeply to The Saddle.
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NR978430
On reaching The Saddle, head left and make your way eastward up to Cir Mhor. The path is mixed. Some of it is good and some broken. There are some boulders that have come loose from the path to be conscious of. There should be a stream bed close to your right for much of it. As you near the summit, you enter into a dramatic and intimidating ‘castle’ of steep rock faces. Weave below a steep wall to your right, to a levelling. There looks like a path leading off left at one point – ignore it and curve rightward to the summit.
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NR973430 This is potentially difficult in poor vis and has areas of steep ground. Descend west from the summit for around 50m, then north-west to a split. One path will continue to Caisteal Liath and yours will head south-west towards A Chir and a bealach, passing a descending path left.
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NR966426 It is crucial to drop slightly to the right and pass below the ridge of A Chir on its western flank. Crossing the ridge is a serious scramble with some difficult downclimbing near steep cliffs and is advised against.
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NR962415 After bypassing the ridge, a number of paths join together. Continue south-west, keeping to the right-hand path that climbs past Consolation Tor to Beinn Tarsuinn on a well defined track. Weave through some interesting boulders! Once on the top, it’s a pretty straightforward section of broad, grassy ridge with great views west to your next day’s walk. There are some pretty steep cliff edges to your left, so caution is still needed.
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NR955398 Beinn Nuis marks the beginning of the end. Descend south-east, keeping left to avoid the broad ridge that kicks off to the right. The path becomes quite tricky as you descend, passing though some awkward, slabby ground. Once you are off the steepening and the slope eases off, the path gets really boggy. Continue south-east and you’ll be drawn to a large stile. Don’t use it but head left to the river instead, for a good crossing point.
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NR970385 This is where I crossed. If the river is too heavy, head upstream until you find a safer spot. There is a ford marked on the map downstream, but I found this less useable and not obvious. After crossing, you’re back to handrailing the river on a slightly better but still pretty wet and slippery track, keeping the river to your right and below you. You will eventually be happy to reach the footbridge from the start of your walk where a right turn leads you back to the car, on a solid path.