A fine 5-day backpack in the NW of Arran, including the Beinn Bharrain range of hills on the western side of Loch Tanna, the long wild glens of the north and the high-level path from Lochranza to Laggan.
After a long and hard winter with a significant late snowfall only a week or two before, many Scottish mountains still retained a covering despite the onset of a thaw and we took our flexi-crampons and winter kit. The highest central peaks on Arran did have significant though very patchy snow, but these hills were largely clear and we didn’t need it, in fact after a cold wind on the second day it became really warm with very little wind for the rest of the trip and we walked in base layers in the afternoons. We timed our arrival to coincide with the clearance of a weather front that heralded several days of settled conditions, and the forecast was spot-on: it was sunny throughout until the high grey mist returned on our last early morning walk to Sannox.
Our second trip in the north of Arran and once again the upper glens and isolated hills in the remote heart of the region were completely deserted, a superb area for backpackers and one that makes a powerful and lasting impression.
14 Comments
wow!
i visited arran for the first time last year and loved the place. this trip looks incredible and your photos capture the remoteness and solitude very well.
Ian,
Thanks very much. That was also the case for us: our first visit last year and we marvelled at the wilderness feel of the heartland and lack of people. I must return to do the serious spiky stuff around Cir Mhor, though I’m sure that won’t be deserted!.
Another grand trip Geoff ! Love the contrast between the pitch on remote high fells and the camp with sea views. Thanks for sharing with us.
Karl.
Thanks Karl. The north of Arran has a variety of scenery in a small area, all of it great for backpacking.
I never really knew about this place but people keep showing me websites on this destination, so it’s time to highlight it and let others know too. Nice photos.
There is something for everyone on Arran: wilderness backpacking, rocky walks and scrambles, coastal walks. Recommended.
That looked like a cracking trip Geoff. I have always thought of Arran as a place crowded by holiday makers but your two trip reports show otherwise. The combination of sea and mountains make for a superb landscape.
A marvellous trip. In season there will be many holidaymakers at the obvious cluster points near the coast and maybe in the lower glens, but the heartland is the real jewel.
The hills and sea views make for wonderful photos Geoff. Like you say a real jewel. One I must see for myself. As always a superb trip report and lots info for people to use in their planning.
Yes indeed, very photogenic throughout. The central wilderness region will be largely deserted because most single-day circuits would be too long to reach it, it’s really the province of the backpacker.
I did my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award with a group of friends on Arran, covering four days worth of routes on the northern half of the island. It’s much less appealing in heavy rain, I have to say, and just walking through some of the glens when they’re saturated with rainwater was challenging. Great time though!
Ally,
Sounds like the popular idea of a DOE event - terrible weather and grimacing faces (along with monster backpacks)!. Still, they all count - another vivid memory to store forever.
Agreed Geoff, I certainly won’t forget it, and you always look back on these things more fondly than when you were actually doing it.
http://thecoast2coastblog.blogspot.com/
Laggan is a superb spot for camping as well.