Gaelic in the Mountains

Understanding Arran’s many evocative Gaelic place names adds another dimension to walking in the island’s hills. On this walk, a local Gaelic speaker illustrates their descriptive nature and shares the stories and characters associated with them.

In addition, this route has wildlife and scenic interest all the way as it winds its way up through two beautiful glens before taking to the little-frequented hills, giving vistas of Arran’s central mountain complex and over the Kilbrannan Sound.

 | Overview

Technical Rating

Moderate  

Easy scrambling, elements of exposure, some rough terrain.

Endurance Rating

3  

Sustained steep ascents and descents, long-distance, stamina required, suitable for fit walkers. Have you had recent experience of walking for 6-8 hours? Have you recently walked up (and down) a mountain of over 1000m (3000ft) in height without physical distress? Do you regularly play an aerobic sport pretty much every week? If your answer is "No", we'd guess you'd be happier doing a walk rated a level lower than the one you’ve just read! As noted previously, we're into FUN so we don't want you to miss out by overdoing it.

 | Walk description

The walk starts at the car park at Fairhaven in Catacol. It takes the path up Glen Catacol and then into Gleann Diomhan past the rare endemic Arran whitebeams to the top of the pass.

Here the route leaves the path & works its way up wild pathless terrain first onto Beinn Bhreac and then over to the heathery hill of Meall Mor, before stravaiging across the moorland to the trig point above Catacol. With few people frequenting these hills, there are good chances of spotting mountain wildlife.

There is a final steep descent to the public road & the short walk back to the cars.

Route Profile

 | Advised Kit List