Western Tops of Arran

  Oi, Oi, Oi, Quel eh a reportage Mister? She, he, they scream. What? Ah, not into the season proper where a veritable plethora of reports will be winging there way onto these pages. Ah well, that’s it then. Or……………..if you like, here is one that was prepared earlier – not to say – last year.

Another Sruthers & Semple Roadshow, or rather Hillshow.Afer many weeks of waiting we were off to Arran to sample a long -awaited trip to the west of the island. This was in high summer – yes that time in July when it was baking and we were raring to go. Leaving at 5.30 for the early ferry, we then had a,shall we say relaxing wait for the ferry.(Guess who was driving?). Sun on us on the ferry deck and then the bus round to Pirnmill,or just short to Thundergay, where the track starts up to Coire Fhionn Lochan. Tempted to go in for a dip, but we were only just starting our climb. Bit of a pull up Beinn Bhreac and on to Mullach Buidhe and Beinn Bharrain. Really this is to be highly recommended for the stunning views.

 As we settled down on the last top for our lunch a lone walker was spied,but no this was a runner.A runner with a lovely springer spaniel on tow,or rather the runner on tow.Apparently this runner was an extra from the set of “Ice cold in Alex”,1958(recommend this great old film with John Mills,Sylvia Syms,Harry Andrews, plus whatshisname? yes that one, Anthony Quayle).Yes, running out of the desert,covered hesd to toe,hat with foreign legionnaire attachment,sunglasses,etc. As Alex from Troon Tortoises emerged, as if from Tobruk, he seemed to immediately recognise me. Eh, well not too many defining features under all that garb. We did have a good old chat of course before he trotted off again……….if not on to the sand dunes, certainly on to Arran’s majestic rocky outcrops. As we were beginning to feel just too comfortable, we called time on our respite and made for – if not home – then certainly the Café to await our Bus back to Brodick. A couple of stiff ginger beers, cake and chocolate later and we were off on the Bus. Another memorable day on the peaks of the Island of Arran.