The last day’s weather was wonderful. No rain! A great way to end my week long journey. Not only was the day wonderful, but the path and scenery were as well. The trail started out along the side walk looking out on the coast and Holy Isle.
Soon it came to a dirt road leading to an over-grown trail and to a farmer’s stile taking me to a wooded area with a boardwalk that eventually lead to a grassy area and through a kissing gate…
where I met a few locals and their dogs… The two pugs were full of energy and loved lots of pets. The day was so outstanding that even the locals were out enjoying the weather and
the views of Holy isle and its light house. The building on the isle is used for Buddhist retreats.
The trail continued on a grassy path for a while then up a dirt road leading to the main road. Some of the signage on this route isn’t perfect and on this road bit it was not. As I mentioned in an earlier post written directions are very important to take with you. I used http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk, which I highly recommend. The road eventually led to the beach again. The beach trail was rocky and boggy (muddy) in places. Eventually the trail led to boardwalks, which were a fantastic relief. There would be a stretch of boardwalk, then a stretch of coastal path then boardwalk then coastal path. This is a relatively new part of the trail, making the 2 mile coastal path stretch that I was on way more enjoyable. Thank you board walk makers!
Eventually I came to the first town of the day and the last town before Brodick, Lamlesh. I walked by a tea and coffee shop and decided it would be a great place to sit and rest for a bit. While having tea, I met the only two trekkers who were also walking around the isle while I was there. It was nice to share moments with them that we both had along the way.
The next stretch of the trip proved spectacular. Blue sky was making a showing and so was the sun, but of course clouds were still part of the picture :). The trail was on cement until I came closer to Clauchlands Point at which it turned to a dirt road (or track as the Scots say). At Clauchlands Point I had a choice to make, either stay on the coast or climb high above it towards Dun Fionn, an alternate route for when the tide is high and or there is flooding. The tide was out, but I wanted to climb high for the views, so up I went along the grass trail. The views were stunning. I highly recommend this route! The coolest thing is that the sky was clear enough to see the tallest mountain on Arran isle, the mountain I climbed the first day of my trek – Goatsfell Mountain.
When I hit the top of the trail, I stayed for a bit to enjoy the 360 degree view. An English couple had beat me to the top and were having a quick nap in the grass. We conversed for a bit and then I was on my way down and into Brodick. My seven days were done and when I arrived at the information/tourist center I found out that I earned a certificate and a pin for completing the journey, making for a grand souvenir!
Up next the West Highland Way of Scotland, day hikes on the Orkney Isles and day hikes on the Isle of Skye. For those of you in the Seattle area, I will be giving a talk on trekking in Scotland in November at the Savvy Traveler in Edmonds, WA.
Until then,
Keep on trekking!