We woke up in our glamping pod at Balmichael Glamping to another sunny day in Scotland. It was going to be a hot one but the slight breeze would help keep us cool I thought.
Breakfast at the picnic table was boiled eggs on toast and a coffee, the perfect start to a beautiful day.
We were going on a new walk to the Clauchland Hills and Dun Fionn (pronounced Dun Fin), the location of an Iron Age hill fort two and half thousand years ago.
We parked at the Cnoc na Dail car parking area (Google maps) on the left, between Brodick and Lamlash. This was where the walk started and finished, but there seemed to be different circular routes to choose from. At the signpost we walked straight ahead towards the tree line.
We soon reached another signpost and turned left to follow the uphill dirt path.
It was up, up and up, and humid walking between the trees at parts.
I was glad I brought my walking pole to help me. I didn’t like using one in the past as it would annoy me carrying it, but I’ve realised as I get older that it does help me and takes some pressure of my knees. They were actually okay and not sore at all. Happy knees today 😀. It was the usual huffing and puffing from me though and Alan was ahead of me.
Look at the baby Fern shining in the sunlight I thought. It caught my eye as it was a lighter shade of green in contrast with the grass. The beginnings of purple heather was all around me but not flowering yet.
After all the long distance walking training I did over the past few months for the Glasgow Kiltwalk, 53 miles in April and 22 miles in May, I thought my walking fitness should have improved. I think it has for long distance on flat terrain, but the hills are still challenging.
It was fine though, I was enjoying stopping to take photos as an excuse for a rest. There was no rush.
I wondered if snow would lie here in the winter. With it being so close to the sea maybe not, but I was imagining the conifer trees covered in white snow. The heat must have been getting to me as I was thinking of winter already 😂.
The beginning of the walk seems like blur to me now and I don’t remember much until we met a guy coming the opposite direction with his bike. He said we only had a short way to reach the top of the Clauchland Hills viewpoint and we should sit for half an hour and enjoy the views. I wonder if he noticed how red in the face I was and puffed out.
And what a view it was!
I’ve looked at these mountains many times over the years but I love seeing them from a different perspective. They give me goosebumps and I always wish I had a home here.
I walked past the stones to get a better view of the Northern Arran hills.
Stretched out in front of me was a patchwork of lush green fields all the way to Brodick and around the Arran coastline. The ferry was sitting in the harbour, ready to sail across the Firth of Clyde.
We sat on a bench in memory of Linda, which was facing the south of the island towards the Holy Isle and Lamlash.
“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday.”
I asked Alan where he would put a memorial bench for me. It’s not nice to think about it, but I would love a bench on the Isle of Arran. There are so many beautiful places on the island to choose from though, I’m not sure where my favourite is.
We walked on and followed the trodden path to find Dun Fionn. There was a lot of conifer trees, but this one wasn’t the usual triangular shape and stood out from the others. I love it being so unique.
As we were walking, someone passed us going in the same direction. The face looked familiar and then I realised it was Kirstie who lives on the island and I follow her Kirsties Arran Instagram Account.
I can’t remember if it was Twitter or Instagram I first found Kirstie, but it was her really beautiful unique photos of Arran that caught my eye and I also followed her A Focus for Adventure Instagram.
I love following all the places she visits which inspires me to try these walks when I visit too. Most of the mountain hikes look tricky for us now, but I enjoy them through her photos and also her amazing voluntary work with the Arran Mountain Rescue Team.
I had said to Alan earlier that this was one of her favourite walks and we would see the views across to the Arran mountains this clear day. We’ve been on many walks across the island over the past 17 years, but this was our first time on this one.
I didn’t know what to say at first to be honest, then I blurted out “I know you?” She must have thought I was a crazy person as I was a total stranger saying this. Then I explained I follow her on Instagram and introduced myself.
She was out hiking carrying her cute baby daughter in a baby carrier and her beautiful dog was there too. I’m so impressed when I see parents being able to do this with their young babies. I see how this is a brilliant way to bond and let your child experience the outdoors at a young age.
It was lovely to meet Kirstie in person and chat for a few minutes. Then we all carried on with our walk. Kirstie went left following the circular route back and we followed the sign for Cnoc Na Dail car park which took us in the direction of Dun Fionn towards the coast.
We could just make out the white trig point on the headland at Dun Fionn.
We walked down towards a forestry road that would take us back to the car park, but first we needed to make a detour to Dun Fionn.
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas … a wee Robin was balancing on the top branch of a conifer tree. It stood for ages and didn’t seem alarmed that we were standing so close below.
We reached the information sign about Clauchlands and the Dun Fionn hill fort and how it could have looked over two and half thousand years ago.
Following the trodden path up to the trig point, I could see why a fort would have been built at this location.
It was the perfect strategic position with views out to sea and the land to the north and south. I’m not sure how well it would have coped in winter though with no shelter, unless the landscape had more trees at that time in history.
I peeked down at the coastline, remembering we walked along this on our last day of the Arran Coastal Way. It looked so tranquil and beautiful from up here.
It would be our wedding anniversary the next day, and I was excited we were going to be sailing to the Holy Isle to hike the highest peak called Mullach Mòr.
I looked across at the island many times today and I wondered what the hiking path would be like. From here it looked very steep. I wonder if we’ll manage I thought… I was excited to try and it would be a really special memory for our anniversary.
Someone left these shiny Southern Upland Way coins on top of the trig. I wonder why as we were nowhere near the Southern Upland Way route. It would be such a shame if someone sat them there for a photo and forgot to lift them.
When Alan was walking up to the Dun Fionn hill fort I heard an “oh no”. There was a hiking boot disaster!
The sole of his left walking boot had split at the heel and was flapping about like a flip flop, making it difficult to walk. He slowly flip flopped back down and up towards a picnic table at the start of the forestry road. The whole sole had now detached from his boot and a crumbling mess.
He tried to tie the boot and sole together with two spare shoe laces he luckily carried with him. It seemed to hold together but he was wishing we had duct tape with us. It’s not something we ever thought to carry.
We had to keep walking so I plodded and Alan flopped along the forestry road.
Then his right boot decided to join in on the flip flopping action as well! One spare shoe lace had to come off the left foot to support the right. This wasn’t as secure and we still had a few kilometres to walk.
His walking boots were 17 years old though. He bought them in 2006 for when we first visited Arran together. I suppose we could say they were born on Arran and died on Arran. The poor soles 😂
We were relieved to finally reach the car park. It was better that the boots gave up today rather than on the Holy Isle the next day where it would have been more dangerous. At least today the ground was flat and more manageable.
We stopped off at the Co-op in Brodick for microwave meals to heat up in our glamping pod.
We walked almost 8 km/5 miles which was also good walking training for our next trip to the Holy Isle.
It was a wonderful eventful day as always.
If you are thinking of visiting the Isle of Arran, have a look at my other Isle of Arran stories for more inspiration.
Thanks for reading.
Love, Dawn-Marie x
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