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Goat fell | Scottish Landscape Art - Scottish Landscape Paintings

Posts Tagged ‘Goat fell’

Glen Rosa – a working walk

Don’t be too shocked, we finally got the boots on again and made it across to the Isle of Arran yesterday. As you know, I’ve wanted to get back to Glen Rosa for the last couple of months but the extremely poor weather has until yesterday, kept us at bay.

Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran

Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran

Have to say that it didn’t look altogether promising as we disembarked from the ferry in Brodick at eight o’clock yesterday morning ….it was absolutely pouring down with rain and we got quite wet just getting the 100 metres to the waiting room where we’d planned to don the waterproofs. Of course by the time we had all the gear on the rain had passed and as we walked along the promenade the first breaks in the dark cloud were appearing.

It’s always a good walk from Brodick to Glen Rosa and well worth doing just for the spectacular scenery but this trip was a working one. With the plans for creating a big Glen Rosa drawing all arranged with the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine later in the year, I needed to get back to the glen in order to start planning how exactly I’m going to do the piece. Yesterdays visit to the glen was to look at and record the first half of the glen. I wanted to spend time looking and thinking and making a few simple sketches.

As we entered the glen a Golden Eagle flew overhead, low enough for me to see it ….it made a good start to our day. Up to this point it had been difficult to know quite how much snow there was on the hills as the cloud level had been very low, but things quickly improved and we started getting glimpses of Beinn Nuis and Beinn a’ Chliabhain, the summits of both looking white and wintry.

Goat Fell from glen Rosa ...approaching shower

Goat Fell from glen Rosa …approaching shower

A little further on and the glen swings around to the NW and at this point the views open up even more and the fine peak of Cir Mhor stands dramatically at the head of the glen. With the cloud rising and breaking and the periods of blue sky and bright sun increasing, we got some wonderful views and the colours were really quite intense at times. I spent a lot of time standing or sitting doing some quick sketches as we made our way up the footpath at the side of the river. Nita was busy taking photos and was particularly interested in the river that was full and busy but with incredibly clear water ……in the bright sun the patterns of the rocks underneath the water looked wonderful.

It was a very profitable day and I got a lot of information in the way of sketches and photographs. I’m still not one hundred per cent sure how I’m going to do this big drawing but I have come away with a much better idea. Now I need to get up to the head of the glen and record that section.

A brief lull ….

 'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

It’s the morning of Wednesday 28th December and I’ve just seen my old college mate Mervin off.  He’s been staying with us for the last couple of nights and is now driving up to visit his mum and sister who live on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde.  He drove up from his home down south on Boxing Day and the plan was to go for a walk over on the Isle of Arran on the 27th (yesterday).  That said though, it was very much depending on the weather, more so than normal as we’ve had another succession of gales blowing in from the south west recently that have been disrupting the local ferry services somewhat.  It was certainly pretty windy all through Christmas Day and Boxing Day but the forecasts seemed to agree that there would be a short lull in proceedings during the early hours of 27th before another band of rain and wind arrived from the south in the afternoon.

It wasn’t great, but better than nothing and despite having driven around 300 miles the day before, Merv agreed that it would make sense to catch the early, 7 o’clock ferry to Brodick.  We only live a short distance from the ferry terminal at Ardrossan but even so this still meant leaving the house by about quarter past six in the morning!  The one advantage though of this early ferry (as I’ve no doubt said before) is that you can get a good breakfast on board during the 55 minute long crossing and arrive fuelled and ready to go.  I must admit though that I was a little surprised to find it still completely dark as we walked off the boat in Brodick ….don’t ask me why …I just never thought about it.  The ferry was quiet although we did meet one other chap who like us was heading for a walk …in his case, up Goat Fell.

 'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

At this time of year, especially on days where there is heavy cloud, the light is very poor and makes seeing where I’m going even more difficult than normal …and even slower more to the point.  For this reason I knew I’d not have enough daylight to get to the top of one of the hills and back and so we decided to walk up Glen Rosa between the mountains instead.  Mervin had never been to Arran and so we thought that this would at least give him an idea of the wonderful quality of the mountains here.  When he next makes a visit in the summer we can then go over and get up onto the tops.    The forecast seemed to be about right as the crossing was quite calm and there was little wind.  Even the grey clouds were above the summit of Goat Fell (the highest point on Arran) and it was looking good as we walked towards the start of Glen Rosa in the first light of the day.  Much of the snow that had been on Arranjust the other week had gone but Nita and Merv said they could still see some on the higher slopes and crags.

It was so quiet as we entered Glen Rosa; just the sound of the river rushing along and the odd pheasant and crow calling…..it was so peaceful.   We did meet the local farmer walking back to his farm and he reckoned it was wonderful in the glen that morning with the river flowing fast and clear.  He was right and it was hard to believe that it was just two days after Christmas.

 'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

After a mile or so the glen takes a hard turn to the north and the path crosses a bridge over another very busy stream that flows down the steep hillside in a series of waterfalls ….needless to say really, it was looking and sounding impressive.  Beyond the bridge the path gets narrower but over the years it has been well maintained and makes for good walking ….if for me, a little difficult in the gloomy light.  Care very definitely needed as in places the River Rosa, flowing on our right, cuts a small almost gorge through the rocks and there is a long drop into the torrent if you miss the edge of the path!

We had no real aim for the day and so fairly ambled along taking in the wild scenery of the glen and watching as the cloud slowly descended onto the tops once again.   Luckily Mervin did get to see the wonderful pyramid that is Cir Mhor, standing dramatically at the end of the glen, but then it too, slowly succumbed to the clagging mists.  We reached the head of the glen just before midday after many stops to take photos and eat Christmas cake.  At this point the path splits, one half crossing the River Rosa and climbing up to the Saddle between Cir Mhor and North Goat Fell, the other heading up to join the ridge on the other side of Cir Mhor.  We didn’t really have time to go much further and the river was high enough that to attempt crossing it would almost certainly have ended in wet boots or worse!  Up to our left though Merv could see a large boulder  several hundred feet  up on the hillside and we headed up towards this for a short while in order to get some views over looking the river…..but very quickly the cloud that had been getting lower by the minute, decided to let out some of its rain.   It was only fine, but the kind of stuff that really soaks you.  Mervin made it to the boulder and then it was just a case of walking back out in the increasingly heavy rain.  The light got even more gloomy but there was a strange stillness in the glen ….thankfully the rain might have arrived but the accompanying gales had not.  We made it back to the ferry terminal in Brodick as it was once again getting dark and had time to get out of the wet gear before catching the ferry home.  It wasn’t a classic Arran walk, but very enjoyable all the same and just great to once again get out into the fresh air and the quiet.

 'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

'In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran'

The gales though, are back with a vengeance this morning and Mervin left here not knowing whether he’d be able to get over to the Isle of Bute …reported disruption on the main ferries again.  There is though a small very short crossing over to Bute that is apparently still running …but this involves a long drive around to get to it.   He just left here armed with food and a large flask of hot tea just in case he gets stuck and has to wait for the winds to abate …it could be a long day for him.

On the subject of brief lulls ……there is not going to be a blog next week I’m afraid …normal service will resume the week after that.  I will however, endeavour to post regular updates on my Face Book page for anyone interested, so why not check that out if you’ve not yet visited it.

I hope you’ve all had a good time over Christmas and have an equally fine few days over the New Year.  Back in 2012!

Heading for Goat Fell on the 7am ferry…

'Heading for Goat Fell ...on the 7am ferry'

'Heading for Goat Fell ...on the 7am ferry'

Talk about leaving it a bit late, we took the decision to head over to Arran for a walk up Goat Fell yesterday, after I got back from the studio on Wednesday evening. Not the greatest of preparations but thankfully we had some bread rolls in the freezer and a supply of Lucozade …it wouldn’t be the best packed lunch in the world but good enough.

It’s been pretty miserable up here in Scotland for the last few days with rain and high winds but as we put the rucksacks into the car for the short drive to the ferry …at about 6.15am …there was just enough light to see that the sky was virtually cloud free …it was looking good.

As you may have noticed from the blogs, we haven’t been out on the hill for a good few weeks now.  I’ve just been so busy at the studio that with one thing and another …coupled with many days of low grey cloud and rain …well we just never managed to get out.  I’ve been wanting to go and walk my 50th Corbett but still haven’t decided which hill that will be and so on Wednesday evening we just wanted somewhere to go that would stretch the legs and give great views …what better place to go than Goat Fell over on the Isle of Arran.  On a clear day the views from its summit must be some of the best in Scotland and for us living just across the water in Irvine; it has the advantage of virtually no driving, and the luxury of getting breakfast during the 55 minute crossing between Ardrossan and Brodick.  You arrive in the picturesque little town of Brodick and can see many of the big Arran hills (including Goat Fell) rising just to the north.  You don’t even have to catch a bus to the base of the hill …there is a wonderful path that picks it’s way between the golf course and the sea all the way to below Brodick castle where the main ‘tourist’ path starts and the wonderful Arran Brewery has it’s home.

'On Goat Fell'

'On Goat Fell'

Everything looked so beautiful as we walked along the beach the final few hundred metres to the start of the Goat Fell path.  The sea was an intense blue and the trees were just starting to take on that autumn colouring.  The path picks its way up and around the edge of Brodick Castle gardens ….heading through a mixture of trees and habitat.  After a while it reaches a small fast flowing stream with a wee bridge over it.  I can remember a few years back when this bridge was just a fairly narrow affaire with no hand rail …I used to shuffle my way over it, worrying that I’d miss the edge and end up getting a soaking!  No worries now …as I say, there’s a proper little bridge in place.  About this point you get to the edge of the trees and the path turns and runs across a fairly level section heading for the shoulder of the hill.  We had seen just two other folk at this time and it was so peaceful as we wandered along the stony path.  Already the views to the south were impressive …but there was also a lot of very low cloud out there and we worried that this was the ‘weather’ that the forecast had said was due in later that day …arrived early as it were.

Once onto the ridge the path is nearly all rock …hours and hours of time and hard work moving greet stones and boulders into place, utilizing the natural outcrops and picking a clever line, have created a fine and safe path all the way to the summit.  You don’t have to follow it of course and you can clamber your way up and through the granite boulders and outcrops if you choose.  The views just get better and better as you gain height but the best is left to the last on this hill.  As the angle suddenly eases you arrive on a boulder and slab strewn summit and suddenly you get the most amazing views…the whole of the rocky, Arran mountains stretch out before you, the narrow ridges, rocky pinnacles and bright sand screes. . .there is just so much to look at.  All around you can see the sea and out to the east is the dark line of the main and Ayrshire.  Further to the south Nita pointed out Ailsa Craig.  We had reached the top just before midday and so it seemed like the perfect spot for lunch.

East from Goat Fell

East from Goat Fell

As we sat looking out over the deep trough of Glen Rosa, the very low broken cloud we’d seen earlier to the south, started to feed in on the breeze.  It bubbled up beneath us heading north up Glen Rosa before briefly shrouding the fine pointy summit of Cir Mhor.  It came and went creating a constantly changing view, different colours, tones and patterns.  The strange thing was that for almost an hour as we watched this wonderful changing show …the cloud never enveloped us on the summit of Goat Fell …the highest point on the island.  Indeed, we were sat in bright sunshine much of the time we were watching the flowing and breaking clouds ….quite amazing.  There was a good few folk on the summit by this time …all transfixed by the scene.  After about an hour the cloud faded away and we were left with an almost cloud free sky.  The ridge over to North Goat Fell looked tempting (we first scrambled our way along and over its stumpy pinnacles way back in 1988 during our first ever holiday together), but we decided instead just to have a leisurely return in the sun.

From Goat Fell ...the summit of Cir Mhor above the cloud

From Goat Fell ...the summit of Cir Mhor above the cloud

As I’ve said before, the Isle of Arran Brewery is situated right at the start of the path up Goat Fell, and as we reached it on our way back …having cut it too fine to catch the 16.40 ferry, we stopped by and bought ourselves a couple of bottles of Arran Blonde from the brewery shop.  They have seats and tables outside and so long as you open the bottles yourself …you can sit and drink them in the evening sun …which is what we did.  Within 15 minutes several other walkers, arriving back after a hot day on the hill, stopped and did like-wise.

A gentle amble back around the bay and just time for some chips before the ferry arrived …then coffee and a kip before arriving back in Ardrossan a little after eight in the evening …what a wonderful day.

A local fisherman ...near Brodick

A local fisherman ...near Brodick

Interestingly on Wednesday evening I also received an email inviting me to take part in a group exhibition at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock…at the end of January.  They asked if I might have any paintings I could include that were local to the area.  I’m thinking I may well be able to do a couple of pieces based on the incredible views we had while at the summit of Goat Fell.  Anyway, more details about this exhibition as and when I know them.

Finally, if you’re reading this and live in Ayrshire and have never made the trip over to Arran …well then …do go and visit.  It is a magical place with something for everyone and as I found yesterday, when you’ve been working hard and are tired and worn out …a day on the island relaxes and restores.

A short walk on the Isle of Arran

Holy Isle and Lamlash Bay

Holy Isle and Lamlash Bay

This time last week I’d just got back from a trip to the Isle of Arran with my partner Anita and good friend Norma. I can’t quite believe a week has gone by so quickly and this blog is now a day late! Norma had travelled over from Angus on Friday evening with the aim of getting out for a walk, catching up on news and grabbing a beer or two. We first met ten years ago (and hasn’t that time flown) when both Norma and I were on the Mountain skills course for visually impaired, at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore. Ever since we’ve kept in contact and most years get to meet up once or twice, either over here in the west of Scotland or in Angus where Norma lives. Over this time we’ve done a good few walks including Goat Fell, Ben Lomond, and Meall a’Bhuiridh in the west and Mayer, Driesh and Mount Keen in the east ….and yes, we’ve sampled a few different east and west coast brews too!

Goat Fell ....clear

Goat Fell ....clear

Last Saturday we were a little undecided quite where to go for our walk. The forecast was for very low cloud …200 – 300m so there didn’t seem much point in gaining too much height. On top of this was the fact that Norma was still a little uncertain about one of her knees that she’d hurt back in February on a cross country skiing holiday over in the United States. She didn’t want to take on anything too gruelling for this reason and so all in all a low level walk somewhere seemed about right ….now all we had to do was decide on the somewhere!

A good few years ago now, (the year of the foot and mouth disease in fact) Nita and had had to cancel our usual spring walking holiday and instead took a two week long break over on the Isle of Arran in late October. It was a particularly bad couple of week’s weather wise and as such we kept fairly low much of the time. One of the walks we did was a very pleasant little walk south along the coast from Brodick to a point over looking Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle and then inland a mile or so and up and over the wee Clauchland Hills before returning to Brodick. This, or a variation on the theme, seemed an ideal choice as it meant a civilized start (catching the quarter to ten ferry over instead of the seven o’clock sailing and we didn’t have to fight our way onto the crowded buses ….we could walk straight off of the ferry.

Catching the later ferry on a Saturday in August does have one drawback though …it’s very busy and by the time we were aboard nearly every seat was taken and the storage area for rucksacks and bags was over flowing. In good weather this isn’t a problem as you can go and sit outside, but last Saturday morning it was grey and cool and everyone seemed to be jammed inside. After a bit of searching we did find one empty little corner in which to stick our sacks and we eventually got some coffee and cake. I was going to say that this was the busiest I’ve ever seen this ferry but then remembered we actually failed to get on once on a very busy summers day!

Our walk last Saturday proved a good one. As it wasn’t going to be a long day we just wandered along in no great rush, enjoying the views out over the sea and indeed enjoying the sun that was starting to appear. The cloud though was well down on the Arran hills and you’d never have known Goat Fell existed as we looked back across Brodick Bay. We had our lunch atop a prominent little headland in what was fast becoming bright sunshine with wonderful views over to Holy Isle accompanied by the occasional cries of either a Buzzard or an Eagle …we couldn’t decide …or agree!

August on the Isle of Arran

August on the Isle of Arran

After lunch we wandered on …uphill now and over the undulating heathery little lumps of the Clauchlad Hills to reach the high point at around 260m. If the cloud had lifted from the bigger hills at this point we would have had exceptional views I think …but still there was many bright patches of sun and the colours around us were lovely ….especially the heather which was well in flower. We returned slowly the same route and as we descended the wee road back into Brodick the cloud did finally clear and Goat Fell and the other big hills all came into view …it looked stunning. The ferry back to Ardrossan wasn’t as bad as the morning crossing and we even got a seat in the bar …and so enjoyed a fabulous bottle of Arran Blonde beer on our way back. The Arran Brewery really do produce some very fine ale and if you haven’t tried it …then keep a look out in your local super markets …many stock bottles. I prefer their Arran Blonde beer but they brew several different ones …all that are very fine.

Exhibition of recent work – Blairmore Gallery – June 10th – July 20th 2011

'After the storm, Loch Lomond from Ben Vorlich'

'After the storm, Loch Lomond from Ben Vorlich'

I’ve been exhibiting work at Blairmore Gallery near Dunoon, for the last five or six years and this year I’ve been asked to put on an exhibition of my painting and drawings for six weeks.

The gallery, formerly known as Gallimaufry, is not I guess your normal gallery.  It is a wonderful mix of art, craft and quality giftware ….with the added bonus of serving very fine fair trade tea and coffee too.  The walls of the coffee shop make the space for the exhibitions and so you can sit and enjoy the art while drinking your tea.   It’s a combination that seems to work and the gallery has just won a four star award from Visit Scotland.  The great part about this little gallery is that it is not just a great place for visitors …it really is at the heart of the little community of Blairmore. There is a very friendly ‘buzz’ about the place that makes everyone feel welcome and at ease …whether just calling in for some refreshment or searching for a painting.

I’ll be showing 15 paintings and 4 drawings in this show …the majority of them being recent work, completed either this year or during the last few months of 2010 …so, there’ll be a lot of new pieces to see.  As the gallery space is quite small, the majority of the work will be on the small side …30 x 30 cm paintings and drawings, and three of my 76 x 23 cm paintings.  I am though including two of my new larger 80 x 80 cm paintings along with two 61 x 61 cm pieces.  This will make it quite a challenge for the proprietors Sylvia and Steve, to hang but it should look good I think.

 

'Misty morning, Goat Fel from near Brodickl'

'Misty morning, Goat Fell from near Brodick'

 

 

'On the east ridge of Ben Lui, spring'

'On the east ridge of Ben Lui, spring'

 

So then, if you live within striking distance of the gallery, it makes a great day out.  To learn more about the gallery visit: www.blairmoregallery.com or contact them Blairmore Gallery, Blairmore nr Dunoon | Tel: 01369 840253 | info@blairmoregallery.co.uk .

I hope you can get to see the exhibition.

‘October morning, below Goat fell, Isle of Arran’

october-morning-below-goatfell-isle-of-arran-acrylic-pastel-2011-80-x-80-cm

'October morning below Goatfell, Isle of Arran'

 

‘October morning, below Goat fell, Isle of Arran’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2011, 80 x 80 cm

When you arrive at Brodick, Isle of Arran on the ferry you have two options if youwant to get to Goat fell. You can either catch a bus the couple of miles or so to the start of the main path, or you can walk….either along the road or by one of two paths. We nearly always take the path that starts in Brodick and heads out between the golf course and the sea. It’s a great little walk even if you don’t go on to Goat fell and is a very nice way to get to and from the castle too. All the way along you get wonderful views of Arran’s highest hill, Goat fell and I seem to spend a good deal of time whenever we’re walking this path, just stopping and looking at this wonderful hill through my monocular. It always looks good but it seems to me particularly so in the autumn when the trees are turning and the days are drawing in. This recent painting is based on just such a day.