MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS - ANDY MCNAMARA

What do you do when you don’t lead walks for the Arran Mountain Festival?
I work at the Arran Outdoor Education Centre in Lamlash, play football for the worst team in Europe (Northend Thistle) and play guitar to the same standard as my football.

Why do you volunteer as an Arran Mountain Festival walk leader?
I enjoy being part of the team with the other volunteers, I enjoy meeting and chatting to people on the walks, if I wasn’t a leader I would go as a participant.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.
Walking along the A’Chir ridge with a friend. We were quicker than we thought we would be and decided to go onto the Witch’s Step despite both being booked on the ferry, after a great day in the hills I loved running down into Glen Sannox. We needed the first car to stop so we could hitch a ride to the ferry. This being Arran of course the first car stopped and we made the ferry,…just.

What is your favourite Arran walk?
From Sannox up Cioch na h-Oighe and along the ridge to Goatfell and down into Brodick.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?
A good quality pair of socks.

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

Big mug of milky weak tea, glass of orange juice and some muesli with a banana chopped up into it.

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Andy is leading Friday's Witch's Step & Castles walk.

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 - 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.

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.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS


JO TOTTY

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

I’m a mum and wife, I also volunteer with the National Trust for Scotland at Brodick Castle 3 days a week and less frequently for Community of Arran Seabed Trust. I love to have bonfires, go on walks, swim in the sea, am learning Gaelic, and am the chair of this Festival!!

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

I volunteer as I love the mountains and whilst I’m happy to head off with my map and compass and a full bag of exciting kit, I realise that not everyone has the same confidence and skills – I just want to share what I love with as many people as possible!

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro without a guide, and being the first woman that day to see the sunrise from the summit.

What is your favourite Arran walk?

The amazing views along the majestic sweeping ridge between Caisteal Abhail and Sail am Im.

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

Aside from the essential map and compass, it’d have to be a malt loaf – no matter what you try to do to it and no matter what shape it’s become, it’s always edible!

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

A massive bowl of cereal, with extra seeds and raisins.

Jo is co-leading the North Sannox and Laggantuin walk and the Corbetts day 2.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

PAULINE BARR

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

Having not long retired from teaching I do more hillwalking, spend time with my grandchild and run after my husband.

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

I love walking on Arran and like to share the hills with others.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Breaking out of a cloud inversion to walk over beautiful, calm, sunny hills.

What is your favourite Arran walk?

The Ridge from Sannox over Cioch na h'Oighe, Mullach Buidhe and North Goatfell to Goatfell over the Stacach Ridge. Favourite Scottish view is from the top of Goatfell.

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

My piece.

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

Porridge.

Pauline is leading the Three Beinns walk on Saturday and the Through the glens walk on Monday.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

ANDY WALKER

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

Work for The Forestry Commission on Arran, keep bees, play the pipes in Arran Pipe Band, learn Gaelic, sit on committees.

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

I like walking the hills & watching the wildlife so it’s an opportunity to pass on some of what I know.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Up on Sgurr Alasdair & Inaccessible Pinnacle on a blistering hot day about 6 years ago, the sea was a millpond & every island & hill for miles around was in sight – hard to beat!

What is your favourite Arran walk?

Walking down onto the ridge leading to Cioch na h-Oighe from Mullach Buidhe looking up Loch Fyne & Kyles of Bute to the Cowal & Argyll hills. The ridge looks so narrow & dramatic. Then onto the ridge itself which rises in narrow twisting steps to the summit where the drop all around plunges down into Glen Sannox & to the sea.

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

Map – I love looking at the features & their names; there is so much history, culture & terrain information in them. And useful for navigation too.

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

I don’t have anything special, just my usual cereal & toast.

Andy is leading the Whitebeams & wildlife of the western hills walk on Friday and the Witch's Step & Castles walk on Monday.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

JOSE NAVARRO

www.josenavarro.co.uk

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

I run NNAS outdoor navigation courses, write about mountain and outdoor photography, teach photography and lead outdoor photography workshops in Iceland.

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

To share my passion for wild places with other people, to enthuse and encourage them to go out there. It is also an opportunity for me to get to know Arran better.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.

Last year up in the Carneddau of Snowdonia. Glorious winter day. Good, consolidated snow underfoot. Beautiful, crisp winter light. Ideal conditions for photography. I was so busy looking out, down and ahead of me, photographing the landscape, that I forgot to look up. My partner did. Just as well because otherwise we would have missed an incredible solar halo right above us - see attached pic. Memorable.

What is your favourite Arran walk?

I look forward to doing the Three Beinns Horseshoe. Awesome terrain with far-reaching panoramic views over the mountains of Arran.

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

A spare copy of my map. Have you ever seen your (only) map fly away in the wind?

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

Can't beat traditional Scottish porridge... with custard.

Jose is co-leading the Castles & Witch's Step walk, The Three Beinns walk and the Through the Glens walk.

MEET THE ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WALK LEADERS

In our next few posts, we'd like to introduce you to some of the people without whom the Arran Mountain Festival would not be possible - our fabulous walk leaders.

All Arran Mountain Festival walk leaders volunteer their time and expertise, often taking time off from their day jobs to do so. All walks are led by qualified Summer Mountain Leaders, assisted by experienced co-leaders. With maximum group sizes of only 6-10 walkers, we are proud to have some of the best leader-participant ratios for such an event.

So you can get to know your walk leaders a wee bit better, we got them to answer a few questions about themselves. Of course you'll have the chance to ask many more on your walk!

First up is Lucy Wallace. Enjoy!

LUCY WALLACE

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

I’m lucky as I get to do this every day. I have my own walking and wildlife watching business based on Arran.
www.arranwildwalks.co.uk

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

I volunteer for the COAST Holy Isle walk as community driven conservation is a subject that is very close to my heart. I’m very inspired by what COAST have won for the wildlife and people of Lamlash Bay and what they aspire to achieve for the future.

Tell us about a favourite mountain moment.
Watching a golden eagle float past at eye level from the summit of Sgurr Alasdair on the Isle of Skye. I could see the wind ruffling its feathers, and the sunshine twinkling the back of its head.

What is your favourite Arran walk?
Its got the be the Three Beinns, a fabulous ridge walk, with stunning views, wildlife and lots of interest along the way and a wild and remote feel.

Which piece of kit would you not head into the hills without?
Can I have two please? It would be my map and compass.

What is your favourite breakfast before a long day out in the mountains?
Tattie scones, roast tomatoes, poached eggs, beans and buttery mushrooms.

Lucy is leading the Holy Isle mountain walk.