I have seen the horizon of the Scottish hills from a distance on the English side, but never set a foot in real Scotland. The most ideal opportunity came when I had an idea to walk the coast of Arran that is about 65 miles in circumference. I also wanted to contribute towards a specialised centre that I have been volunteering at for a few years already. To create a solo sponsored walk that was to take my dog Taz, a Blue Merle Sheepdog, my rucksack and myself along this coast.
The centre is called ‘The Barton Hill Centre’ it is based on a working farm in Kentchurch, Herefordshire, nestled up in the hills of ‘The Golden valley’ and close to the River Dore which runs into the River Monnow.
The Centre is for young adults with learning disabilities who need extra space in their life to just be around animals and working outside. Gaining skills and getting exceptional hands-on experience through Animal Therapy, Horticultural Therapy and working with the environment.
The Start of the Journey
Before even starting the solo walk on Arran planning and preparation was not an easy task as it involved getting waterproof maps and a mass of information about the walk. And finding dog friendly accommodation around the island, booking them weeks ahead and confirming them. Also how much to take in my rucksack, which some days would include dog food and compass and my snack food and also making sure I had emergency telephone numbers.
Driving from Herefordshire to Ardrossan, Scotland was not to be taken lightly as it would mean lot of stops to change drivers as I was sharing driving with my mum and to our stretch legs and give the dog time stretch and to mull over a few things. We had an overnight stop in Penrith, which is near Carlisle, giving us time to not rush to catch the ferry.
On the 10th of April 2009, we (car/dog& me) bordered The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry much earlier than expected as the ticket officer allowed us to be squeezed last onto the earlier ferry. My mum was able to catch an earlier train back to Herefordshire. I would be leaving my car at the first b&b until I walked all the way around the island.
The ferry was very large and powerful churned through the sea at a good pace. The sea was not that calm as it had to contend with lot of wind. Through the windows of the ship the isle of Arran came into view a super sight to see with magnificate mountains and hills standing out in the distance and the vast size of the walk I would be doing. The trip across took just under hour from Ardrossen ferry port to Brodick Ferry port.
Once the ship had docked we drove from the ship over very loud metal gangway bridge over the water onto quite tarmac road. The sun beamed down on us and the warm sea smells come in through the windows. The island was fresh and waiting for us. I drove to the first b&b which was Dunvagan guest house situated just 200 yrds from the port. Its location is on the side of the road with a view of the sea. Bright red fence greets you and a large red sign post with their guest house name written across it. I stayed here on the first night which was Good Friday.
Easter Saturday morning started 7:00am with a short stroll with the dog. A hearty breakfast was waiting for me which was full Scotish breakfast and a mini Easter egg. I enjoyed this immensely in the front breakfast room with sea view.
Once I had got the dog and my self sorted for the challenge ahead of me I had a bit of nervous butterflies in my stomach but that soon went as the sun warmed us up and I could see the beach and sea in motion. Waves lapping at the beach, light breeze swirling the sand back into the sea. The walk started along the pavement which was on the other side of the road from the b&b and also right up against the sea shore. Between the the sea and the pavement I was on a little stretch of grass with benches intermittently spread along the sea front for people to sit and watch the world go by. As the pavement continued you reach a well mown square bowling green. The road further on goes inland into Brodrick. At the corner of the bowling green you curl between the green and the stores. The path starts as tarmac gravel then goes on to sandy soft grass path cutting in front of the childrens play area which is situated on medium size grass field by the beach.
Walking along this path takes you through a few gorse bushes on either side of you and then takes you over several small concrete bridges going over small rivers flowing to the sea. Many species of plants and marshland plants are scattered below these bridge or along the banks of the waterwhile seagulls, taking advantage of the light sea breeze are surfing on the wind. Oystercatchers scanning the edge of the water front for bugs to eat. The sandy path continued further along the coast and through more brighter yellow gorse bushes.
A sign comes up to warn you about a golf course you are about to cross “watch out” for I would say “flying golf balls”. Taz was really jolly trying to dig up sand or roll in interesting smells. I was not amused but we continued on and after a while she also got into a better rhythm. We carefully crossed the golf course and crossed a small black metal wood slatted bridge and went down stream towards the coast passing a black mongrel and owner enjoying the water and the sandy paths. The path then had much larger gorse bushes now on either side of you this is the fishermans path way. Straight in front of you to the right you are able to see Brodick castle intermingled in the woodland. Following this path with the coast on the right and the beach we crossed another small bridge which comes out at a small wooden building and onto.If you cross over this road you start the Goatfell walk up a mountain to a peak 874 meters high.This can be part of the coastal way but I did not do this as I was trying to stay as near to the sea as I could.
So I continued along the road where the occasional drivers are careful to give you space. I stayed on the sea front side of the road all the way. There was no access on to the shore as there where trees and shrubs up close to the road and small jagged rocks by the edge of the sea. This used to be the old Bodick quarry slipway. On the inland side of the road thick woodland trees mixed in with many different plants and mosses. The road continues for a good 6miles continuously until you reach Corrie. The coastal way continues inland into the forested areas to give different terrain but I didn’t want to get lost so I stuck to this road, enjoyed the surrounding area views of the sea and the sun!. Half way along you come to a picnic bench which is situated just off the road towards at Rubha Salach which is grassed area so we stopped here for some time soaking in the atmosphere around. From here we continued along some of the grass then the road again taking us over the bridge called Corrieburn. The water that flows under this one is called High corrie burn or any other smaller burns that are near by. All these burns where highly useful for the dog to drink from saving me carrying water for the dog but I was carrying my water and a very small bottle if the dog needed any.
Once across this bridge you meet up with few houses sprawled along the side of the road each one with different types of garden or fencing. Then you come into the village of l Corrie. Here was my 2nd night stay here I spent the rest of today looking at the wildlife out on the sea or looking around the village and investigating the plants around. Starting to note down what to write about this dairy/ story. Also I had my picnic lunch sitting on the harbour wall. This had 2 metal white sheep and one blank for hooking up boats in the harbour. During the afternoon and evening I went for a stroll up and down the village passing a school and a church and talking to some of the locals.
Corrie to Catacol
The next day the I woke up up 6:30 / 7:00 breakfast to be able to set off before the heat of the day as the weather looked as through it was going to be a cooker. The walk today was going to be a lot longer and harder. Yesterday was just a taster. The morning brought lots of different seagulls and ravens testing out their flight wings on the sea breeze and sunning themselves on rocky outlets of boulders and on roof tops. Delivery vans coming and going along the road giving supplies here there and every where. The road ahead was empty of cars and only a few vans. The Taz was keen as ever to get a move on she was as a fit a a fiddle and full of energy. Still following the road but every so often we would walk on the grassy verge as it was softer. It kept on getting thinner and thinner pushing you back on to tarmac road. The coast was not letting up on any beach walking, as the road was holding its self right up to the stony rocky areas. As the road turned slightly in land only for a second or so then opened up to the next village of South Sannox.
South Sannox was still a small village but slightly larger than Corrie. We both had a 20 minute stop sitting by the beach which stretched far over a small river estuary of the Sannox Burn (River) to the next beach. Sea gulls bobbing up and down on the waves and a few were pacing up and down the beach. Small waves crashing at the small rocky outlets. On the other side of the road a hive of activity was happening behind the cottages. This was from different types of small sparrows and many other species, that I didn’t recognise, diving in and out of a woodland. The floor of the woodland was sprawling with brambles and bracken.
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