Kingfisher Ramblers Demo site

WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED FOR THIS WEEKEND.

This is a walking weekend on the stunning Island of Arran (Scotland in Miniature) and a chance to visit some of the islands landscape highlights: famous for its rugged mountains and panoramic views, beautiful sandy beaches, historic castles, pretty glens and waterfalls and areas of great archaeological significance.

Those who have already booked accommodation will be notified of arrangements for meals (tables fully booked) and any on-the-day updates via a WhatsApp group for 'the Arran weekenders'.  Others may make their own arrangements of course, and day trippers will be very welcome to join us on the Friday and Saturday walks, as usual by letting Walk Leaders know that they'd like to come. We hope to car share to the start of walks or use public transport where possible.

We are offering a selection of five walks over three days so that there are walk options each day.

On Friday and Saturday we will meet at Brodick Pier for those disembarking from the ferry. Times are given below for each walk.

Where and when to meet

Friday - walks 1 and 2 - meet 10.45am at Brodick Pier

Saturday - walk 3 - meet either at Brodick Pier 8.05am (especially for day trippers coming on 7am ferry from Ardrossan and for drivers able to offer lifts to ferry passengers); or at the start of the walk, Machrie Standing Stones Car Park at 9.20am (for weekend residents able to get there in full cars).

Saturday walk 4 - meet 9am at Sannox Car Park 

Sunday walk 5 -  meet at Arran Active Outdoor shop car park KA27 8JA  -  9.00am to car share to start of walk 9.30 am     

WALKS

FRIDAY 

1) Cock of Arran Moderate Grade B walk 7.2 miles, 4 hrs, 1003 ft ascent.

Start 11.30am

Led by Scott and Linda

An interesting adventure from Lochranza on a mixture of terrains teeming with wildlife and into areas of both geological and archaeological significance.

We start where we can park at Newton Road Lochranza which is off the A841 opposite the Lochranza Centre CIC (the environmental field studies and activities). KA27 8HQ Ordnance Survey gridref: NR 9378 5026  What3words: simulations.shirt.bathtubs 

We follow an established natural path along the shore with a few passages through the rocks from Lochranza to Laggan, passing: Hutton's non-conformity at Newton Point; trackways of Arthropleura, an ancient giant millipede; and Ossian's Cave.

At Laggan we ascend to the saddle between Torr Meadhonach and Tor Nead then downhill to return to our starting point.

2) Clauchland Hills Leisurely Grade C+ walk 6.5 miles, 3 hrs, 800ft ascent.

Start 10.45am at Brodick Pier

Led by Anne M and Joyce

The route is a 6.5 mile circular walk with a couple of gradual ascents then on up to one hill.  It is all on good tracks, paths and minor roads.  There are stunning views of Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bays and also over to Goat Fell on various points of the walk.  

We leave from Brodick uphill on the main road to Lamlash before turning down towards Corriegills and up to Dun Fionn and its trig point. From there, up over the Clauchland Hills and on down to Cnoc na Dail car park and back into Brodick via the "Fairy Glen".  Graded as a Leisurely, C+ walk and to be done at a leisurely pace giving plenty of time for day visitors to catch the 16.40 boat back to Ardrossan.

The going is mostly easy but with a few ups and downs, walking boots should be worn and poles taken for those who use them.

SATURDAY

3) Machrie Standing Stones and Kings Caves. Leisurely C + With some ascents/ descents into the caves, 6 miles  Meet 8.05am at Brodick Pier or at start of walk for 9.20am 

Walk starts 9.45am

Led by Janette on her home turf so expect lots of history, folklore and memories!!

Car sharing and/or bus use will be organised so it is essential to let the Walk Leader know before the Arran weekend, if you want to do this walk.  The walk is a linear walk starting in Tormore at the Machrie Moor Car park and ends in Blackwaterfoot.  Drivers can be ferried back to the start to collect cars and return to pick up their passengers at Blackwaterfoot.

We follow an easy path via farmland to the majestic famous Machrie Stones soaking in the atmosphere, backtrack to the car park and proceed over open fields, glorious sand dunes and rocky shores then onto a short sharp gully to the historical Kings Caves. 

We can look for the dinosaur footprints further along the path before heading towards beautiful Machrie Bay and the enchanting Shiskine Golf course into Blackwaterfoot.

4)  Glen Sannox, Saddle and Glen Rosa  A moderate/strenuous walk Grade B+/A, around 10 miles, 1698 ascent approx 5.5 to 6hrs,      Start 9am

Led by Phil (from Strathkelvin Ramblers)

This is a breath-taking walk through the dramatic glens of Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa with its streams, magical stepping stones, waterfalls and valleys surrounded by steep slopes.

The walk starts at Sannox where there is a car park and toilets. We head up Glen Sannox to the Saddle walking around 4 kms then a steep 600 mts climb on a pathways which has been much improved over the years ( I hope) From the Saddle we head down the beautiful Glen Rosa valley back to Brodick via the enchanting pools  suitable for skinny dipping. The 7 km walk from there  and descent takes us back to sea level again.

SUNDAY

5 ) Coire Fhioann Lochan and viewpoint    Moderate B  shorter walk  around 6.2 miles but very mixed terrain rocky in places with a few steepish inclines.  1370ft ascent  

Meet   Arran Active Outdoor shop car park KA27 8JA    9.00am to car share to start of walk 9.30 am

Led by Gemma and Joyce.

A circular, straight forward walk from Thundergay south of Lochranza to a beautifully scenic lochan with a golden gravel beach and aqua waters, all nestled between statuesque hills.

We start at a  larger parking bay just north of Thundergay nearest grid NR879466 where there is a bit of tarmac walking prior to the signpost to the Lochan itself. We proceed on grassy paths, gravel paths and rocky sections a little bit steeper in parts then and flattens out. Bathing or toe tapping in the Lochan is optional.  We then walk around and head upwards to a viewing point to see the majestic Loch Tanna and head back down to the start point.

After this final walk we head towards Brodick Pier for the return journey home and leaving behind the beautiful Isle of Arran.

NB Saturday will be very busy in Brodick due to the Highland Games.