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

  

Arran Mountain Festival Visit to Holy Isle with COAST

It was a stunning but blustery day that Sibbie Sangster and I led the Mountain Festival Walk on Holy Isle and we are grateful to the Holy Isle Ferry who pulled out all the stops to get us over there and back again in choppy conditions. The deteriorating forecast meant that we were working to a schedule to return to Lamlash. Happily, the team of walkers in our group were up for a good stomp and we headed up to the summit of the island with purpose. As we walked through the trees, on the lower slopes of the north of the Isle, it was wonderful to see how the conservation work by the Holy Isle community has helped to regenerate a native woodland. Once out of the trees, there were magnificent views across the bay and towards the peaks of the Goatfell Range.

There was also a chance on the way up to talk about the COAST (Community of Arran Seabed Trust) proposal for a community conservation area in Lamlash Bay. COAST’s vision is to protect maerl beds and other seabed habitats, regenerate fish and scallop populations and to enhance the marine biodiversity in Lamlash Bay through the creation of a No Take Zone (NTZ) and an adjacent Marine Protected Area. Whilst the NTZ was instated in 2008, the long awaited Marine Protected Area seems more distant than ever, despite promises from government politicians. COAST are also part of a campaign to reinstate the three mile limit in the Clyde, which it is hoped will help save the Clyde's dwindling fisheries before it is too late. We also heard how early survey work in the NTZ is already showing signs of regeneration of the seabed, after decades of damaging scallop dredging in the area.

A short scramble brought us to the summit of Mullach Mor (314m) with panoramic views all around the Clyde. It was possible to see the Arrochar Alps in the northwest, and Ailsa Craig to the south. Gannets patrolled up and down the east coast of the island, plunging in to the choppy waters to catch fish. Walkers can follow a circular route from the summit that descends the South ridge and returns to the jetty along the western shore. However, becuase of our tight schedule, we returned by the same route. Sibbie brought some fantastic photos of the marine life found in Lamlash Bay which we looked at over lunch. We were able to find a sheltered spot tucked away out of the wind between the two summits of Mullach Beag and Mullach Mor.

Many thanks to the Holy Isle Community, the Holy Isle Ferry, and the Arran Mountain Festival for making this wonderful walk possible.
For more information about the Coast project and campaigns click here to visit the website.

Lucy Wallace
Mountain Leader and Local Guide
http://www.arranwildwalks.co.uk/
Blog: www.wildonarran.blogspot.com