MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

ROBBIE ADAMSON

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?

I work as an environmental surveyor based in Hexham in Northumberland. In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking, getting into the hills, and playing my bagpipes. 

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?
Growing up on Arran gave me my love of the outdoors. The Arran Mountain Festival is a fantastic opportunity to share my love of the hills with a range of different people.  

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

I am lucky to have a few special moments in the hills but if I had to choose I would have to say going up Goatfell, with my now wife, on our first ‘date’. It was a perfect summer’s day late in the afternoon and amazingly we got the summit to ourselves.

What is your favourite Arran walk?

As a south-ender I would have to pick Cnocan Donn in the south of the island. What it lacks in height it can more than make up for in views and a sense of solitude.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?

A torch, a perfect excuse to stay on the summit to watch the sunset.

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?

A big one, less to carry on the hill.

Robbie is leading the Three Beinns and Glen Sannox horseshoe walks.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

EWEN MCNEICE

Ewen on Ben More

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?
Socially I walk, climb, mountain bike, kayak and snowboard with family and friends. I also work in Health IT.

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?
To help encourage others to experience the wonderful mountains on this island that I was lucky enough to grow up with.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.
Getting the end of the Liathach traverse in one piece.

What is your favourite Arran walk?
To the standing stones on Machrie Moor for a picnic, the whole family can enjoy it.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?
A map and compass.

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?
Boiled eggs in a cup with toast and a cup of coffee.

Ewen is leading the Three Beinns horseshoe, Cioch na h-Oighe & Goatfell, Cir Mhor and Witch's Step & Castles walks.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS - JOHN KITCHING

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS 

JOHN KITCHING

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival? 

Lead geography field study sessions and outdoor activities for Lochranza Field Studies Centre.

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader? 

I enjoy being on the hills, leading gives me a chance share know environmental knowledge and allows me to pass on information about being safe in the hills.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Every time I’m on the hill.

What is your favourite Arran walk? 

The Castles up Glen Easan as its pretty much straight out my back door.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without? 
My big warm duvet jacket. 

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains? 
Porridge with lots of fruit on top.


John is co-leading the Cioch na h-Oighe & Goatfell and the Gen Sannox horseshoe walks.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

ANDREW BINNIE

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival? 

I manage the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST). With community support we have created Scotland's first No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay and a large marine protected area around the south of Arran. In my spare time I like to cycle around the west coast of Scotland, paint and draw and grow vegetables.  

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?
I've always loved the drama and beauty of the hills and the adventures they offer right on our door step, not to mention the wildlife. There is lot's of time to chat and get to know people and the festival is always great fun. This is my fith one.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.
Getting to the top of Ben Nevis for the first time ever via the Long Climb.

What is your favourite Arran walk?
Cioch na h-Oighe is a wee cracker of a ridge if you have a head for heights. Great views and a pub and tearoom at the bottom.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?
Boots. Unless you are used to going barefoot and have soles like leather you wont get far.

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?

Normally poached egg on toast with a bit of cheese for good measure.

Andrew is co-leading Friday's Witch's Step & Castles walk and the Holy Isle walk.

Find out more about the Community of Arran Seabed Trust on www.arrancoast.com

  

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS
 
ADELE PENNINGTON

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?

I am a full time Mountaineering Instructor busy at work on the Mountains of Scotand and when not working sea paddling, skiing and generally enjoying my time in the mountains.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.
Ahh a difficult one as there are so many moments...  Topping out on Ben Nevis after a winter climb is always great and especially on Christmas day last year.
 
What is your favourite Arran walk/climb?
Has to be the South Ridge Direct, Rosa Pinnacle.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?
Map, compass and sandwiches

 

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?
Sausage buttie with tomato sauce.


Adele is leading the A'Chir ridge scramble and the Witch's Step climb. 

Find out more about Adele on her website www.adelepennington.co.uk.

Wild on Arran: Arran Mountain Festival: Holy Isle

by Lucy Wallace of Arran Wild Walks                view Lucy's blog on wildonarran.blogspot.co.uk/

Yesterday I was on the lovely island of Holy Isle, volunteering for the Arran Mountain Festival, and working alongside Andrew Binnie from the Comunity of Arran Seabed Trust.  We were there to enjoy a walk over the top of the island, and along the shore, enjoying the wildlife and learning more about COAST's ambitions project for marine conservation and a South Arran Marine Protected Area.
The day dawned damp and misty, but we crossed Lamlash bay on the Holy Isle Ferry in a flat calm. The climb to the summit of Mullach Mor (314m)  is a fairly steep one but is thankfully over pretty quickly.  Following this is a steep rocky descent to the south end of the island and a leisurely stroll back along the shore to the slipway. Wildlife highlights included lots of coastal wildlife including oystercatchers and common gulls nesting close to the path (please take care), as well as kestrel and peregrine falcons tousling together in the sky above.

The Holy Isle Project has a lovely new welcome sign at the slipway.

Chatting with Andrew from COAST on the summit of Mullach Beag.

Mist clearing from the summit of Mullach Mor

Team photo

The Holy Isle walk has a bit of everything, including art appreciation.

Green Tara

Exploring the intertidal habitats on the shore of Holy Isle.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

MICK TAYLOR

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?

I am a freelance Mountaineering and Ski Instructor / Guide working worldwide including the Greater Ranges and the Himalayas.

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?

I was employed on the Arran Mountain Festival last year and found it to be both enjoyable and interesting. Arran has a special place in my heart as I first visited the Island as a very inexperienced Mountaineer in my youth and was enthralled by its beauty and wild mountainous environment.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Many, many. Apart from reaching the summits of some of the world’s highest peaks and first ascents of some classic climbs completing all the Munros was a very special day albeit many years ago now.

What is your favourite Arran walk?

The A’Chir Ridge Traverse, Beinn Nuis to the summit of A’Chir. Although in places it is not a ‘walk’ but a scramble. Major difficulties however can be avoided but care is needed throughout.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?

A well fitting rucksack containing …………essentials!

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?

Usually a bowl of cereal.

Mick is leading the A'Chir ridge walks.