Weather forcast for today was heavy rain for most of the day. So it was going to be another lazy day. #isleofarran #scotland #adventure
Instead I woke up at 06:00 with an urge to photograph the sunrise.
Dodging a rain shower it was out onto the beach with the dogs and stroll further down into Whiting Bay.
After lunch the weather started to brighten up and using my new weather gauge, the top of Mullach Mor, cloud on the top means rain, no cloud means dry, and the lack of cloud said it was going to be dry.
We decided to go for a walk to the Viking fort at Kingscross Point. This is also the place where Robert the Bruce departed for mainland Scotland and his bid to become King.
The walk follows the beach and then sets off up the hillside through huge blackberry bushes and into dense woodland.
After a short distance you leave the woods to cross farmers fields, coming out into heathland and bracken, blackberries, hazel and the most beautfil rowan tree I think I have ever seen. Its no wonder these trees have been revered since ancient times.
There is a seat next to tbe Rowan, take some time to sit, soak up the peaceful surroundings and admire the view over to Lamlash and then the mountains to the north.
A short distance from the rowan is the remains of the Viking fort. The path goes through the fort and its easy to see why the Vikings chose this spot. On a promitory looking out to sea it’s an easy to defend site on the seaward side. On the landside if the woodland was as dense as it is today, it would have been difficult to pass through it quietly.
The path then goes back down to the coast through some fields that are used by the Boys Brigade from Glasgow. There are 3 benches on the field and its easy to see why one of them is “Ians” favourite view.
Following the path along the fence of the bungalow and a short but steep ascent up the hillside back through the forest and past the 5 Ents.
As the forest receeds the views are spetacular over Lamlash and the mountains beyond.
Rejoining the road and following the coastal path markers we found the path signposted to Sandbraes. It descends the hill nestled between blackberry bushes and wild fuchsias back down to the beach.
Rather than going back down the beach we followed the road inland and then cut accross the playing field to the main Arran coast road at the lovely The Bay Kitchen and Stores.
We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However, there may be changes in the area or to maps that we are not aware off. All outdoor activities come with a degree of risk and you should ensure you are adequately prepared before undertaking them. This route, maps and GPX traces are to be used as a guide only, it’s accuracy may change with the scale of map you are using or type of GPS device. Always use in conjunction with a paper map and ensure you now how to read it. We take no responsibility for any errors, omissions, injuries or accidents whilst following this walk.
Escape to the Wild Side 