Stunning and spectacular Three Beinns on Arran

An early morning ferry and I was over on Arran for the Mountain Festival which for me began today with a spectacular and stunning group walk around the horseshoe of the Three Beinns. The walk leader decided to walk these against the norm and traverse anti-clockwise, a good decision.

Garbh Allt

Thankfully we got a lift to the Glen Rosa campsite and walked to the start of the uphill section following the Garbh Allt which had a nice cascading waterfall.
Wildlife was already good, a pair of golden eagles being dive bombed by something from above, a peregrine falcon I suspect. My first sand martins of the year, ravens and cuckoos calling.

Small cairn and Beinn a Chliabhain

Luckily the marshy moorland section to Cnoc Breac was on hard ground due to the dry spell and onwards we went following a reasonable track up to our first top, Beinn a Chliabhain at 675m. 

Goatfell steep west side

The views on our right were grand looking down the full length of Glen Rosa and up the west slopes of Goatfell. The hill looking totally different from this angle with it's steep flanks and corrie.

Chir Mhor, The Saddle and Glen Rosa

The views on the left were of the high ground we were heading towards, Beinn Nuis & Tarsuinn. The old man of Tarsuinn prominent.

A Chir

Some interesting paths through rock gaps and up and over large boulders as the view north was even more spectacular. The impressive A Chir ridge, with climbers on its crags of Pagoda Ridge. Cir Mhor and The Saddle, all awesome.

The Bealach heading to Tarsuinn

The hardest section of the day now as hands on scrambling required to get us around and over, I think, Consolation Tor to the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn. Some sections of pull the tummy in and squeeze through the gap. There is no clear path just huge boulder slabs to negotiate.

Looking back to Tarsuinn from Nuis

Tarsuinn is a Corbett and the highest point at 826m, where a well earned break was in order and more stunning views to enjoy.

Poser on Tarsuinn grassy top

We could see our next destination ahead but time for a snap as we went passed the Old Man, an incredible naturally shaped rock formation as it looks over North Arran.

Old Man looks like my face

Down and then up the last climb of the day to Beinn Nuis taking in the views down Glen Iorsa and across to Sundays walk of Beinn Bharrain and Sail Chamadale.

Nuis through the gap don't fall through a long way down

A short detour can be taken on the Glen Iorsa flank to see the WW2 wreckage of the Liberator bomber where sadly 10 crew perished, so near the top they almost made it over.

Sad sight of the wreckage

A twisting descent then across the normally boggy plateau to descend again via the Garbh Allt.
The cuckoo was silent and we pondered whether a mate had been found. About 2 minutes later we saw one on a wire and then a second landed with a big titbit in its beak trying to give it to the female. Looks like the calling over for one cuckoo. Just after 2 red deer were seen on the summit looking down, surprisingly the only ones we spotted today.
An absolutely stunning walk, probably the best I have had for consistent jaw dropping views.
The only downside was the walk taking at least 2 hours longer than it should have due to the walk being over ambitious for one of the group. At least it wasn’t raining.

Time:8hr 33m
Distance: 15.8km
Ascent: 1098m