Arran Coastal Way Brodick - Lamlash

I joined the KOIR for a walk on Arran covering part of the Arran Coastal Way from Brodick to Lamlash, this was a new stretch for me so despite the forecast I headed out.
The Calmac boat was rocking and rolling as we headed to Arran, was that roll and sausage a good idea, and the rain was lashing down when we disembarked. There is minimal cover on this walk so just had to accept it was going to be a wet one. Once again the good camera stayed at home so these snaps are phone only.

Full wet gear on for everyone

Turn left up the hill and take the first left towards Strathwhillan farm, following the way markers signs passing some nice houses then across a few very muddy fields, it was to get a lot worse. Then through some woods and onto a track beside the radar station before heading down to the shore at Corriegills point. Not just the sheep thought we were mad.

View from beach old fort on top of hill

The walk along the tight muddy and rocky track was one of extreme concentration. Although relatively flat the underfoot conditions were very tricky and there were quite a few slips and falls amongst the group but thankfully only injured pride and not bodies.

Driftwood seat

There is a seat made from driftwood situated at the rocks which could provide a nice resting point with a view, but not today. I am not sure how much weight it will take but well done anyway.

Narrow track

The sea is close on the left and hills on your right so you are hemmed in, the autumn colours of the bracken and yellow flowers on some broom bring colour to the day. However no time to enjoy the views as concentration means head down not up.

Should we be going up there?

As we moved round Claughlands point the Holy Isle comes into view but the muddy track gets even worse. The coos have trampled this area and recently going by the freshness of the cow pats. Don’t fall in this quagmire.
We are now on a farm track as we head towards Lamlash but the young coos are spotted, they number 20 plus and of course are standing at the gate blocking our path.

The coos

We have no option other than to try and scare them out of the way, one gets edgy as it thinks it is trapped, then the bellowing starts, interesting, tension rises but about half get over the fence safely and one braveheart chased the coos out of the way and the rest used the gate. Sadly we didn’t seem to adopt ‘ladies first’!!
Thankfully the rain has eased and after lunch we head back to Brodick overland, initially heading up past Claughlands farm then across green fields heading for a gate at 1 o clock. There are some route signs but not all are obvious so look carefully. The grass looked good for walking from a distance but oh no, this was another boggy mess, the coos had been in the past and left plenty of water traps from their hooves. After crossing a stile one of the group managed a full back slide in the mud, aahh.

The fields look ok but no.

Some of us make the short diversion to the trig point and site of an old fort where despite the weather there are good views which on a clear day would be superb, hence the reason for the fort.

View from old fort looking back along the coast where we had walked

After that simply follow the good track back to the main road, turn right and down the hill to the ferry. An interesting warning sign to watch out for a ‘deaf cat’ not seen one of them before.
As usual the banter and humour from the group made the day and I got another, albeit short section, of the Arran Coastal Way completed. The waterproofs did their job. Even time for a pint in the Douglas before the ferry.
Time: 4hr 04m
Distance: 7.38m (11.88km)
Ascent: 1554ft (474m)