Isle of Arran Adventure Weekend

Isle of Arran Adventure Weekend Arran, Scotland

With Mark Reid FRGS – author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks & Mountain Leader

Spend 3 days on the rugged, dramatic and beautiful Isle of Arran, often referred to as ‘Scotland in miniature’, guided by Mark Reid, Richard Duckworth and Malcolm Wilkinson (who lives on Arran), who are highly experienced Mountain Leaders.

There will be a choice of two walks each day ranging from adventurous mountain hikes to hill, glen & coastal walks.

Discover adventurous mountain routes, ridges, scrambles and summits, taking you far away from crowds and into a world of majestic glens and granite mountains in the heart of Arran.

Explore amazing geology, archaeology, wildlife and seascapes around Arran’s rugged coastline, secluded glens and quiet hills; this is where ancient continents collided and then oceans opened up millions of years ago. Explore prehistoric standing stones, spot seals out at sea and golden eagles soaring overhead.

Choice of two fantastic guided walks each day, ranging from adventurous mountain routes to hill, glen and coastal walks.
Walks guided by knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leaders.
Experience the camaraderie of walking on a Scottish island with like-minded walkers.
Sociable evenings in one of Brodick’s pubs.
Small group sizes – maximum ratio of 1 Mountain Leader to 8 hikers.

BRODICK, ISLE OF ARRAN, SCOTLAND

This 3-day island adventure weekend will be based at Brodick on the Isle of Arran. There are regular ferries between Ardrossan and Brodick, operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. Ardrossan is about 30 miles to the south-west of Glasgow. The ferry takes 55 minutes.

Brodick offers a range of accommodation including pubs, hotels, B&Bs and campsite. For more information VisitArran

OVERVIEW OF THE WALKS

There will be a choice of two walks each day ranging from adventurous mountain hikes to hill, glen & coastal walks. The precise routes will be decided each day given the weather forecast, ground conditions and group needs.

We will meet at 9am on Friday morning at Little Rock Cafe at Brodick, where you’ll be able to meet your fellow walkers, check the weather forecast and choose your walk for the day. We’ll either walk straight from Brodick or car share to Lamlash, Corrie, Sannox, Lochranza or Blackwaterfoot. All walks will finish by around 5pm (3pm on Sunday)

The MOUNTAIN WALKS may include the classic ‘Three Beinns’ horseshoe walk (Beinn a Chliabhain, Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn Nuis), Goatfell and the Stacach Ridge (Grade 1), Glen Sannox Horseshoe (Cir Mhor) or the North Glen Sannox Horseshoe (Caisteal Abhail). These will be demanding full day mountain walks with steep broken ground, sustained ascents and descents, granite boulders and tors, exposed narrow ridges (including Grade 1 scrambles) and challenging mountainous terrain. A good level of fitness and a head for heights is required for these walks. The central granite mountains of Arran boast four Corbetts of Goatfell (874m), Caisteal Abhail (859m), Beinn Tarsuinn (826m) and Cir Mhor (799m); despite their modest height for Scottish mountains, these are rugged mountains on a grand scale.

The HILL, GLEN & COASTAL WALKS may include Lochranza and the Hutton Unconformity (finishing at Arran Distillery), the dramatic coastline of Laggan, Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle, the golden eagles of Glen Rosa, King’s Caves and the mysterious Machrie Moor Standing Stones, sections of the Arran Coastal Way and the hills around the coast of Arran. These will be full day walks along clifftops and coastlines, through glens, across moorland and hills (up to 450m) with ascents/descents, uneven ground, stream crossings and rough terrain in places.

Meet at a Brodick pub each evening to recount our day’s adventures.

YOUR GUIDE - MARK REID

EXPERIENCE, FITNESS & INFORMATION

No experience is required as full guidance will be given.
For the mountain walks, a good level of fitness and a head for heights is required as they will be physically demanding and include steep, mountainous and rocky terrain, with the potential for adverse weather conditions. The mountain walks will include uneven ground, rough, rocky and mountainous terrain, stream crossings, wet/boggy ground, sustained ascents and descents, steep and exposed ground, granite boulder fields, dramatic ridges, Grade 1 scrambling (hands on rock / rock steps / exposed terrain above steep drops) and mountain summits; we may also experience adverse weather conditions.
The hill, glen and coastal walks will include uneven ground, rough and rocky terrain, stream crossings, wet/boggy ground, ascents and descents, clifftop paths, rough moorland and hills up to 450m above sea level; we may also experience adverse weather conditions.
The offer of a choice of walks each day is dependent on there being more than 8 people taking part in the weekend. For 8 or less participants, then there will be one walk each day of either a mountain hike or a hill, glen and coastal walk.
We can provide full outdoor walking gear, including waterproof jackets, trousers, fleeces, rucksacks, gloves and hats.
We are fully insured (public, civil & professional indemnity insurance)
All of our instructors are fully qualified and experienced Mountain Leaders
So far, we have taken over 18,000 people out walking in the hills, and have a wealth of experience dealing with all ages and abilities.
Part of the attraction of valley, hill and mountain walking is the challenge of tackling different terrains, landscapes and weather conditions. Every effort is made to minimize potential hazards; however, the very nature of hill and mountain walking involves a certain level of unavoidable risk of accident and/or injury. By taking part in this activity, you are aware of and accept these risks.
Our walks are suitable for all ages. Under 18s (minimum age 14) may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The child must be accompanied at all times during the walk by their parent/legal guardian.
Terms and Conditions