Arran Coastal Way Brodick - Sannox, red deer, golden eagle & bitey things

The Arran coastal way is my next long walking route. I originally planned this as a winter exercise but the times of both buses and ferries combined with daylight hours meant a change of plan was needed to enjoy the experience. However, public transport on Arran is still an issue for anyone like me, planning to do this in day stages, hopping across every other week. I thought that more buses would run to connect with the increased summer ferries but not so, plan ahead.
This had a minor impact on today’s walk by changing the walk to start in Sannox. There is not a lot to do in Sannox if hanging about for a bus so a return to Brodick to kill time was more appealing so the route was reversed.

Casteal Abhail

A smooth ferry crossing, nourished with a Calmac bacon & egg roll, straight onto a bus which 20 minutes later dropped us off at Sannox, in the sunshine. A beautiful spot, great views of the coast and the imposing hills behind. I think that I am looking at Casteal Abhail to my right and Cioch na h’Oighe on my left (happy to be corrected), both look mightily imposing. The ramblers are soon climbing Goatfell via the scramble up Cioch but might be too much for my lack of heights. Mrs B with me today so no great exertions.

Sannox Bay

For 2.5 miles it is a lovely scenic coastal road walk heading south aiming for the other side of Corrie. It is a road walk and although traffic is light there are still a few going quickly so stay alert. There is plenty to keep you interested both at sea and inland. Great northern black throated diver spotted out on the water, delighted with that as don‘t see many of them. 

Long boat on right

Small harbours and inlets, lovely houses. There is a small coffee shop and hotel at Corrie if required. The replica long boat at Corrie looks intriguing I’m sure it goes out to sea but with whom?. 

Corrie

Whilst standing at the spot in the snap below, looking inland some movement caught my eye, a golden eagle was spotted circling at the peak ( I think it's the Rosa pinnacle), binos confirmed this was the case. 

A minute or so criss crossing the hillside then up and away and off to the interior, bingo. Also at this little harbour black guillemot appear to be almost tame and not the least spooked by us walking close by. Rock pipit aplenty. Gannets and their amazing dives wonder what fish they are catching.
Just after Corrie there are two inland options, as well as the option of just walking the coastal road but the Way route is inland. First option for the active walkers you can take the high route via North Goatfell.  

Or, as with Mrs B in tow follow the Merkland wood trail which twists its way through the woods for about 3.5 miles. There is reasonable height gain but all in all a bit of a trudge for 2 miles. There has been a heavy tractor or something which has gouged up parts of the trail, muddy but passable. Occasionally a gap in the trees gives you a view of the sea. Hundreds of tadpoles in the drying up pools, I hope they grow up soon, as well as deer prints in the soft mud at times so you might get lucky.  Also in the still air we saw nothing but felt small bites and a later count I had 5 little lumps on my head. I thought it was way too early for insect repellent.
For a spell the wood has been cleared giving good views over Brodick, Holy Isle with a particularly good view of the pointed hill of Mullach Mor and not least a ferry arriving. Sad part is we knew that it would have to make a return trip before we were boarding, that’s island life.

The route is now downhill until a new hard packed route built for heavy machinery, not walkers and cyclists, has to be followed for about half a mile. Then through the woods again to join up with Goatfell track. Just look at the deep shades of green some of these trees are, if you painted them people would say you don’t see trees that colour. 

Great northern diver nice spotted feathers

When watching the Highland cows I spotted movement outlined on a hilltop, a walker. Binos out but not a walker it was a red deer hind and with the binos I sighted another half dozen grazing. Delighted with that.
At this point you can visit Brodick castle, a National Trust property, but it is not our thing.
Popped into the Arran brewery and bought some bottles that I do not see in the shops at home and then continued on to Brodick. A stop for coffee and cake as too early for the ferry. Interestingly I heard an interview last week from an Arran spokesman who said that every pound spent on the island by tourists was recirculated 13 times, an impressive figure that shouts out loud that tourism does pay.

Black Guilemot

A final walk alongside the golf course and then the beach and into Brodick. Still too early, rain appearing so had to shelter and have a cold pint of Joker IPA in the Douglas to finish the day, not driving later!!
I reckon that this is potentially the least significant leg of the walk but we enjoyed it. The distance was 8.27 miles (13.31Km) as we idled along for 3 and a half hours but if in a hurry you could knock 45-60 minutes off that. The maximum height was 536 feet (163m) but with the ups and downs it was 994 feet (303m) of ascent.