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.

Gaelic in the Mountains walk

Gaelic in the Mountains
Arran Mountain Festival walk. May 21 2012.

Crossing North Sannox Burn, the name being
a mix of English, Norse and Gaelic

Apparently Gaelic has about as many words for mountains as the Inuit are reputed to have for snow. For example, beinn (Beinn Nuis) refers to a mountain, whilst mullach (Mullach Buidhe) means a top specifically, and torr (Torr Nead an Eoin) is a hillock. (Don’t be put off by the terrifying spellings; the sounds are much easier.)

A lesson in pronunciation ....... or not!!!

Andy Walker, head forester of the Forestry Commission Scotland on Arran and leader of our AMF group doing the Gaelic in the Mountains day, explained why Gaelic is so important to his work: the Gaelic names actually contain far more precise information about the land than any OS map. For example, the Gaelic name of one particular burn at North Sannox translates as “the burn with the fist-sized pebbles”.

Views into Garbh Coire (rough corrie), and
along the Creag Dhubh ridge to Sail an Im (Heel of Butter)

The wild and empty glen we walked through was once full of people tending their cattle; Andy showed us the ruins of their summer sheilings. We climbed up the graceful Cuidhe Mheadhonach ridge to the summit of Caisteal Abhail where we enjoyed almost 360 degree views in the sunshine over mainland Scotland and other islands. The pace was leisurely and bird sightings included a golden eagle and a male hen harrier. Co-leader Jo Totty pointed out tiny wildflowers amongst the heather: yellow tormentil, pink lousewort and purple milkwort, and explained how they were used in past times; again illustrating the intimate knowledge of nature of the Gaelic people.

A view from Caisteal Abharil

The infamous Ceum na Caillich

We also learned that garbh, dubh coires are to be avoided because they are rough and dark, and that the translation of Ceum na Caillich as the Witch’s Step is maybe a bit unfair - caillich means an old woman and is used in the Gaelic for owl (cailleach-oidhche, old woman of the night). I pictured a wise woman, collecting bunches of tormentil to ease troubles. The people of Sannox had to leave their beloved land for a new life in Canada because of the Clearances. I hope their ghosts could hear the words of their language ringing out in lively conversation in the glen today.


Kathy Mawson

Arran hills, some of the best in Scotland!

Here's a few pics taken yesterday of the Arran mountains seen from across Brodick Bay. Breathtaking! Definitely up there with the best of Scottish hillwalking!

Bookings are going well for this year's Arran Mountain Festival, some of the walks are fully booked, and a couple are over subscribed! Don't delay - check out www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk and book your walk!

The Three Beinns Horseshoe, a classic ridge walk, sponsored by Merrell. So popular that we're running it twice, and currently there are just a couple of places left on the Friday and Monday walks. Tempting isn't it - go on, get booking! http://www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk/friday-18-may/three-beinns-horseshoe.html

From right to left Am Binnein, Mullach Buidhe, North Goatfell (not in view) and Goatfell.  This walk, sponsored by the Friends of Brodick Castle is being led on the Monday of the Festival, and currently there are only 5 spaces left.  Don't miss out on this wonderful, but little walked, walk.

JoT

NEWSFLASH - there are still a couple of spaces left on the Sunday A'Chir walk, don't miss out, get booking! Have a look at the posts below written by participants in 2011, which I've just refreshed so it's easy to find!!  Please be tempted - just call 01770 302244 to book :-)

JoT