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Arran Coastal Way - 65 mile walk
Has anyone walked the Arran Coastal Way?
I'm challenging myself to walk the Arran Coastal Way (65 miles) in June this year as part of My Peak Challenge. Myself, my fiancé and a few friends from My Peak Challenge will be joining me too.
Arran was our first holiday together in July 2006 when we first met, so we'll be staying in Brodick for two nights before our walk at the lovely Glenartney Guesthouse again
.It will be seven days of walking around this magnificent island! We're taking our time as I want to enjoy it and see the island, no rushing allowed. This is why my fiancé and I have decided to wild camp most nights. In fact we haven't booked any accommodation yet for the walking days and will go with the flow.
Our walking plan
- Brodick to Sannox - 8 miles (includes Goat Fell)
- Sannox to Lochranza - 9 miles
- Lochranza to Imachar - 9 miles (optional 3 mile return hike to Coire Fhionn Lochan )
- Imachar to Blackwaterfoot - 9 miles (optional 2.5 mile return walk to Machrie Standing Stones)
- Blackwaterfoot to Lagg - 7.5 miles
- Lagg to Whiting Bay - 10 miles
- Whiting Bay to Brodick - 12 miles
Accommodation
My friends have booked a cottage for the week. They will be working out how to reach the correct start point each day and return at night by public transport. You can also book into B&Bs/hotels/hostels/campsites along the route. Some areas are quite remote with minimum or no facilities so you have to plan well for this. Luggage service is also available on the island.
I'm determined to walk all the way around the island without having to go back and forward, so wild camping it will be! This means carrying all our gear which I'm quite anxious about, because of the weight. I've carried 10kg up Goat Fell for a sleepover before and it was difficult. I suppose this is part of the challenge and it gives us flexibility to camp where and when we want. Or as far as we can get that day!
Any hints and tips?
If anyone has any handy hints and tips let me know! We're looking at buying a lighter tent/gear so that should help keep our carrying weight down. It should be the most wonderful outdoors adventure!
The Isle of Arran's Single Malt Whisky
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Arran Distillery, Lochranza
Shiny Copper Stills
Whisky tasting!
Walk to Loch na Davie ~ Gleann Easan Biorach
Loch na Davie ~ the source of Arran's whisky
A day in the Inner Hebrides
Scotland's West Coast is an incredibly special place but there is an extra sprinkle of magic in the archipelago of the Hebridean Islands, they have some of the best beaches to be found anywhere and there's just something about the way of life on the islands that can't be found anywhere on the mainland. The islands are sometimes a wee bit more difficult to access and this possibly adds to their appeal but last week I managed to visit two islands in one day which was quite the adventure. The islands I visited were Mull and Iona, they are probably two of the most accessible islands for a lot of people. The sailing from Oban to Craignure only takes 50 minutes and Oban has good transport links to the rest of Scotland. However, I must emphasise how important it is to book your car on the ferry well in advance to avoid disappointment, this can be easily done on Calmac's website!
I wanted to spend as much time as possible on Mull so we left super early to catch the 8.40am ferry, as the sun rose it ignited stunning shades of gold in the mist which cloaked the glens, I couldn't resist stopping for a photo or two. Early morning is definitely when the landscape is at it's bonniest. 
On arriving at the ferry terminal we collected our tickets and half an hour later we were sailing out of Oban harbor, the sailing was beautiful, there was hardly a ripple on the water. I was really hoping to see whales or dolphins but I had no luck unfortunately, there were a lot of seabirds however. 50 minutes later we arrived at Craignure and I headed straight for the road to Fionnphort, I had been told this was the most beautiful part of Mull so I was very excited.
The first part of the road lead us up into a mountains, the scenery here was spectacular and it was easy to see why Mull has been Christened 'Eagle Islands' while driving through here we spotted five eagles which were souring behind me as i took this photo.
The road soon drops back down to sea level and continues along the shores of Loch Scridain until you reach Fionnphort, this part of the drive was really spectacular, it was struggling to keep my eyes on the road. This is a single track road but as long as you drive slowly and use passing places you shouldn't have any problems.
It took us one and a half hours to get to Fionnphort but we were stopping regularly so on a direct run through the drive would take about 50 minutes. Calmac have a fantastic page explaining how to get to Iona and other relevant information which is definitely worth a look. The ferry crossing to Iona takes 15 minutes, the sea is genuinely the beautiful turquoise colour you'll see in my photo below which blew us away. Most people go to Iona for the island's famous Abbey but we decided to head to the beach on the West Coast since it was such a nice day, the walk took us around 35 minutes at a quick pace but it's definitely worth the walk as here you'll find pure white sand hidden away in a wee cove looking out to turquoise seas. We spent about an hour just relaxing here before heading back to the ferry. By the time we got back to Fionnphort it was around 3.30pm so we decided to make our way back to Craignure via Salen.
The light was stunning on the drive back round Loch Scridain which made the landscape perfect for photographing so there were many stops. There are a heard of Highland cows along this stretch of the Loch they seemed friendly enough but just don't get too close or in between a mother and calf as this could potentially be dangerous.
A few miles outside Pennyghael we turned onto the B8035, I think if I remembered correctly this is sign posted as the Scenic route to Salen. Once the road leaves the shoreline it's a steep drive into the mountains before the road levels and you are greeted with spectacular sea views. 
The road then winds back down to the shore and took us along a very narrow road with cliffs towering above, it's amazing but also slightly nerve wracking as there are massive boulder which have fallen down the cliff just lying at the side of the road, however be assured driving along this road is perfectly safe.
As we arrived back in Craignure the sun was setting and hitting the top of the mainland peaks including Ben Nevis, Ben Cruachan and everything in between! It was a really beautiful end to a wonderful day. The ferry sailed out of Craignure at 7.15 and we were back in Oban just after 8pm.
If, like me, you have limited time but love exploring Scotland's island I would thoroughly recommend planning a day trip to Mull and Iona, although I would have loved to have spent more time on the island I felt I did get to see and do a lot in that one day! And this is just one option, there are many other things you could do on Mull in a day like climbing Ben More or heading to Calgary Bay, another option is to visit THREE islands in one day with Staffa Tours.
Follow me on Instagram @eilidh__cameron
No matter the time or the weather.....
Top tips for Perth
Hi everyone,
Living in Fife, one of my top day trips is a drive up the road to the lovely city of Perth. Full of lovely wee shops and places to eat, its own concert hall and museum & art gallery, the stunning Black Watch Castle and Museum, and with top sights like Scone Palace and Kinnoull Hill just down the road, it’s a brilliant place for a visit.
One of my favourite things to do while visiting Perth is taking a walk along the brilliant River Tay Public Art Trail. The Trail has 22 different sculptures which mainly sit along the two banks of the River Tay from the North Inch to the South Inch and down to the High Street, and reflect the history and heritage of the city and the river. Two of my favourites are ‘Millais’ Viewpoint’, a huge picture frame which is situated at one of the favourite viewpoints of John Everett Millais, a Victorian painter who had strong links to Perth. If you stand just right, you can frame the view of Kinnoull Kirkyard, where Millais’ wife is buried. Also keep an eye out for the colourful birds by Rhonda Bayley on Tay Street. These wee guys are inspired by William Soutar, Perth’s best known poet, and his poen Bairn Rhymes, and they never fail to put a smile on my face!!
Find out more about the trail here.
You can pick up a leaflet for the trail from Perth iCentre as well
Has anyone else walked the Art Trail? Or do you have any top tips for Perth?
ailsa
Re: 10 Best fish and chips in Scotland
10 Best fish and chips in Scotland
A fish supper takes some battering.
Fish in crispy batter, plump chips, with salt ‘n’ sauce if you’re in Edinburgh, salt ‘n’ vinegar in Glasgow. Guzzled outside in the cool of the evening, washed down with a glug of Irn Bru.
Best.
Food.
Ever.
Here are 10 great chippies that your tastebuds will thank you for visiting:
There’s Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven. It was UK ‘chippy of the year’ in 2013.
At Anstruther Fish Bar you can polish off your fish supper overlooking the harbour. Watch out for the hungry seagulls though.
The most northerly fish and chips in the UK are at Frankie’s in Shetland. Oban Fish and Chip Shop in the town’s George Street is a stone’s throw from postcard scenery of Oban Bay.
Hungry? Ashvale Fish Restaurant in Aberdeen serves the Ashvale Whale - 1lb of haddock fillet.
Glaswegians smother their suppers from the Merchant Chippie in the High Street with salt ‘n’ vinegar.
It’s salt ‘n’ sauce at Edinburgh favourite, L’Alba D’oro in Henderson Row.
Walking in The Trossachs is great for working up an appetite. Sort it with a fish supper at Mhor Fish in Callendar. Or head ‘doon that watter’ to the Isle of Bute, and Rothesay’s traditional West End Café.
In the mood for a fish supper now. But where’s the best?
Re: QUIZ: Scottish Towns with 10 letters
Ben Lomond - first Munro!
I am of average fitness, being out and about with the camera most days but was a bit nervous of what lay ahead.
Proper gear in place, I set off. I'm not going to lie - it was hard going, and many stops were had - mostly to let the other few hundred people overtake me. If its peace and quiet you are after this is perhaps not the one to do in summer.
The paths - maintained by the National Trust for Scotland were excellent and maintenance must keep the staff and volunteers busy given the number of people on the hill.
The potential for views became apparent as the tree line was left behind and the loch could be seen shimmering between the mist.
Eventually (four hours later) the first Munro had been bagged and the views were breathtaking. From the top not only can you see Argyll, The Trossachs, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and more but as the light changed so often it was like seeing different views every couple of minutes.
Coming back down was hard for these old bones but the satisfaction felt more than made up for the aches.
If you are thinking of doing a hill climb get prepared, wear good firm shoes (not pink plimsoles - oh yes there were!) Take plenty of snacks and drinks and go at the pace you feel comfortable at. It took as
long for me to come down as it did to go up - there's no shame in that - cause I did it! 
Re: Your Favourite Scottish Bridges
Horizons