Day Trip to Arran
on Saturday 10 September 2011
Map required is LandRanger 69 Isle of Arran or
Explorer 361 Isle of Arran
but you can download a useful map for printing below ....
This is now a past outing. Like to read about it?
General
This trip will be by CAR POOL leaving Cathcart at 08:00. We'll meet in the car park at the Inverlair Avenue entrance. Please be there a few minutes early so that we can work out car sharing arrangements.
There should be plenty of time to make our way to Ardrossan to catch the 09:45 ferry to Brodick, where we should arrive at 10:40. The price of a return ferry ticket is £10.10, but the club will subsidise this to a cost of £8 for members which will be collected by the organiser on the day.
After our walks, we’ll meet up in Mac’s Bar at the McLaren Hotel .. due to its proximity to the ferry terminal, rather than its selection of ales. The last ferry leaves Brodick at 19:20, arriving in Ardrossan at 20:15. However, there is an earlier sailing at 16:40 should everybody be back down from the hills.
Proposed routes
Goat Fell (874m):
This popular hill is the highest point on the island and boasts spectacular views. It is perfectly possible to walk all the way from the ferry terminal to the summit. From the ferry, walk west and then north along the main road (A841). At the Heritage Museum, a path leads across the golf course to shorten the walk along the road. Continue to Cladach, from where the route to Goatfell is signposted. The track leads through the castle grounds and then north up to Meall Breac and then turns west to the summit. This route can be shortened by some 6km (1½ hours) by taking the no. 324 bus from the ferry terminal to the Gardner’s Cottage bus stop at Cladach. Buses back to the ferry terminal should leave here at 13:20, 16:09 and 18:48. Allow at least 45 minutes if you decide to walk back to the ferry terminal from Cladach.
| Distance | 17 km (11km from Cladach) |
| Total ascent | 942m |
| Likely time | 5½ to 7 hours (4-5½ hours from Cladach) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Cir Mhor (799m):
This is a linear route, starting at Sannox and ending at the ferry terminal in Brodick. At the ferry terminal, take the no. 324 bus to Sannox (Glen Cottage bus stop), from where a track leads west into Glen Sannox. The bus journey should take around 25min. Walk up the glen and climb to The Saddle at about 430m. From The Saddle, climb west to reach the summit of Cir Mhor. Return to The Saddle and drop south into Glen Rosa. Follow the glen south and then east to Glenrosa from where the roads are followed for the final 3.5km back to the ferry terminal.
| Distance | 17 km |
| Total ascent | 805m |
| Likely time | 5½ to 6½ hours (add 25 min for the bus to Sannox) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Other routes
Other high-level options include the Corbetts Beinn Tarsuinn and Caisteal Abhail. Low-level possibilities include walks into Glen Rosa or Glen Sannox. For Glen Sannox, take the no. 324 bus from the ferry terminal to Sannox (Glen Cottage). The bus journey should take around 25min. Return buses leave at 13:06, 15:55 and 18:34, all arriving about 20min before the next ferry leaves.
Coastal walkers might want to consider a section of the Isle of Arran Coastal Way .. details at www.coastalway.co.uk/page/ONE.html. A basic map and guide can be purchased from the TIC in Brodick for around 50p, but it may be a good idea to bring an OS map as well. Note that a diversion from the normal route is currently in place on the section between Lamlash and Brodick .. the website has details.
"walkhighlands" lists a number of Arran routes to suit all tastes at www.walkhighlands.co.uk/arran/north-arran.shtml.
As we are not planning to take any cars to the island, remember that the start of your walk will need to be near Brodick or near a bus stop. Bus timetables for Arran are available at www.spt.co.uk/wmslib/Bus/arran_mar2011.pdf and www.stagecoachbus.com/Arran2010.aspx (open top bus)
What next?
Please let me know, preferably by e-mail, by WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER if you wish to attend, giving an indication of route preference and travel plans if you're not starting the day at Cathacrt.
See you on the day!
Cornel Brozio, Arran Organiser
t: 01698 828747
m: 07881 945954
e: cornel.brozio@scottishpower.com
