Red Hot on The Fell

What a change from last time out! Instead of the inside of a cloud, we had a perfect 360 of great views. Instead of a deluge, we got melted. Instead of a vicious wind, we had...well, not much wind at all to speak of, which has it's problems - namely loads of clegs (horse flies) and midges (wee mini mossies). Hang around in one spot for too long and you're dinner - raw! Still, the weather today was fab and it wasn't long before we were well and truly cooked. However, as long as one was armed with plenty of sun cream, liberally applied, and re-applied, and re-applied thrice more, the worst ravages of the sun were kept at bay. Even still though, I'm rather red.

Slap it on!

Lookin' cool

Today, Rach and I were part of a group doing a charity walk on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran, for a colleague's father. Diagnosed with Parkinson's and then with cancer, life hasn't been easy recently and now he's in a hospice, which we're raising money for. My colleague Eddy billed the walk as "The highest busk in the world", a performance of "The Man Wi Nae Legs" at the summit. Eddy took his guitar all the way up, and a party of around 100 supporters, including the Royal Voluntary Service and Marks and Spencer's, who provided backing vocals at the top.

Eddy giving it welly!

After listening to Eddy, we decided to lose the crowds and headed off down Stacach to North Goat Fell. It was great to finally experience a wee bit of solitude on this stunning granite playground, after a fair bit of time spent at the top of Goat Fell. Arran has changed a lot since the last time I visited - the path workers have been hard at work repairing eroded granite tracks and building steps for the hordes of day-trippers who frequent theses shores. It seems that climbing Goat fell is the thing to do here, either that or cycle round the island and there were plenty up for the 59 mile jaunt today judging by the amount of MAMILs (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) we saw on the ferry. Therefore, every which way leading to Goat Fell is a well-constructed highway, with stairs like you'd see in your house - kinda takes away the wilderness feel. Suppose it's necessary though. Anyway, if you dare to leave the vicinity of Arran's highest peak, you'll discover more than a few real gems.

That's Cir Mhor (pronounced keer vor) and The Castles ridge, complete with the Witch's Step in the background. What a view! I think we'll defo be back over sometime soon to devote some more time to these beauties. When you see the ridge from Ben Nuis to Ben Tarsuinn, A'Chir, Cir Mhor and the Castles, you realise that Goat Fell is probably the least interesting hill in the main northern granite massif.

As we took the path down into Corrie Lan (in it's lower reaches the straightest hill path I think I've ever clapped eyes on) we managed to bump into Joy and Garry, with their son and daughter, on their way up. Small world. 

Then the jet carrying the Commonwealth Baton arrived, just as Eddy had promised, and circled the summit no less than five times before flying down the length of Corrie Lan. We waved and the pilot tipped his wings in acknowledgement. Nice gesture, and a nice finishing touch to the day's events.

All that was left to do now was to catch the 4.40 ferry back home. A good day and a fitting reward for the previous trip's crazy weather.