Island of Arran by Derek Kenyon story published in Skywings magazine.
It was over 20 years ago since I last visited the island, and that was on the Karrimor Mountain Marathon,
now we had returned to fly the mountains and Glen's.
For those who aren't familiar with Arran it is situated in the Firth of Clyde off the west of Scotland , reached by a 50 min ferry crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick the main town (the only town). Measuring 37km north to south by 18km east to west with the mountains situated in the north of the island. Arran has lots to offer every interest walking, cycling, climbing or just picnicking by the coast or in the beautiful quite glens. It would be a great place to have a mixed activity holiday with friends or family, with the chance to see Golden Eagles, Sea Otters, Basking Sharks and Seal's.
As far as the flying is concerned it has plenty of recognized sites all within an hours drive, with every aspect and most incurs a short walk. If it's quite mountain flying your after this is the place for you, the highest being Goat fell. Before we went thou we thought it only polite to let Zabdi who runs the local flying school on the island know that we would be visiting, and to ask advice on any restrictions and where to get the best info on the wind and weather. Zabdi has a wealth of experience and very good local knowledge of the area, which she kindly shared with us, and we eagerly soaked up, to which we were very grateful.
Saturday morning I phone Zabdi about the wind and weather, she confirmed the forecast was light NE winds.
We had gone with two friend who where hoping to get some climbing done so after dropping them off we
made the 40 min walk up to Laggan on the NE side of the island, a large site 6km long and 440m straight in to the sea. After an hour of Para waiting in drizzle and no wind we decided on a top to bottom, hoping things might improved later on in the day. Considering the lack of wind we had quite a good flight down landing on the secluded narrow shingle beach, followed by a good hours walk back up with no footpaths, not for the faint hearted. By now things had improved with small thermals rising up the mountain, only trouble was the wind had move over 90 deg to the west, making launching very difficult. Not fancying another long walk back up we decided to head over to the west coast. Instead of plodding back down to the car we managed to do a skirting flight around the hillside down landing next to the car, well pleased.
With the island being so compact it was only a short drive to get to the west coast were you are spoilt for choice. 20min later and with heavy legs we plodded up from Thundergay to Coire Lochan, a lovely site with plenty of potential for XC up and down the coast. By now it was 5pm but with the long Scottish nights we still had plenty of flying time left, as usual we made it up as we went, and soon found a place to launch, on the flanks of Meall Biorach. Safely in the air we gain height working the granite slabs and steady thermals, and soon soared the summit crags. It was great to finally get some airtime and explore the mountain; this was what we had come to Arran for. We thought the evening would improve as the last of the warm sun shone below the cloudy horizon, but alas it didn't and the lift dropped leaving us with a beautiful glide down to the car.
Our first day had been a success and with one hours flight under our belt it had been all worthwhile.
Sunday morning we awoke to a beautiful day, so we were keen to make the most of it, and build on the previous days experience. Keith had taken his glider to Arran previously but had only managed a short flight. He had seen the flying potential and set his heart on flying off Goat fell, so the quest was on.
Being the highest mountain on the island it has a well-maintained path up from Brodick, (staying on the paths with large sacks is something I would highly recommend). Today there were plenty of walkers plodding up along with us two heavily laden optimistic pilots (what bliss lighter gear). It took us a seemingly never ending 2 ¼ hour climb finishing upon a ridge right to the summit which was tantalizingly popping in and out of the vale light mist. On light days it is a sure bet as it takes wind from all direction except NE giving you plenty of options. Today we had a nice westerly breeze and the prospect of another settled day, the views where stunning, 874m straight up from sea level, the summit gives you fantastic views east across to the main land, and to the north and west some impressive ridges. After the obligatory summit shot we found the take off as Zabdi's guide described 50m from the summit, a lovely grassy shoulder which was even better than expected. Picnic time why rush the day, followed by carefully preparation for take off. With it being very craggy, you wouldn't want to fluff it, and as the guide says it's not for the faint hearted. I set up above Keith and decided not to play wind dummy and take the opportunity to get some photos of Keith launching, he didn't seem to mind and was not too nervous. He decided to take the right side on the shoulder, last minute checks and it's a text's book launch getting instant lift, like stepping in to an elevator, and giving me some good shots.
Time to focus on the job in hand, I launched left thinking there would be no difference as the wind was straight on, until I came back right over a gully, to experience my first proper asymmetric collapse. Fortunately I had enough ground clearance to steer away from the crag and in to open air, none the worse for my exploits. The looking crowd must have held their breath. Keith only hearing my wing collapse was relieved to see me recover and gaining height. With plenty of time in the bank we both explored the Coire taking full advantaged of the thermals coming up off the granite slabs littering the mountainside. It was a great feeling spiraling over the summit of Goat fell and soaring across to North Goat Fell, as the walkers laboriously pick there way along the ridge below. Our walking friends who were on a scramble on the adjacent ridge had taken time to stop for lunch, and watched our tiny gliders effortlessly flying up and down the summit ridges.
After an hour of exploring the corrie attempting to find a way across to the opposite ridge, hitting turbulence, losing height, climbing back up granite slabs, and enjoying the mountain experience. I decided to head down the valley towards Brodick, following the mountainside down from Goat fell, and suck it and see. By now things had started to liven up with some nice columns starting to develop, and large patches of shadow crossing the Plato's below. As yet the only XC I had done in the UK involved following ridge lines, not open land cloud- hopping, I was keen to tap in to this unknown potential. Pushing out of the comfort of the dynamic lift the vireo gave the usual indication of height loss, with only a few hundred feet left in reserve I headed for one of the large dark shadows. As the sun went out of view I was surprised to start gaining height, which increased as I entered the centre of the thermal, leaning to one side, I pulled confidently on my control and put the glider in to a steady spiral. By this time Keith had followed me down the valley and seeing me spiralling well above him, and not wanting to miss the lift he pushed on in hot pursuit. For once I managed to stay in the lift, it was a great feeling, I was amazed how quickly I gained height and soon I was up to the magic cloud base (the phrase I had heard so many times). It was great to see Keith now circling below me, and even catching me up, this was what it was all about, flying at its best in a fantastic area. By we where as high as Goat Fell, with plenty of height under my belt I set me sights on heading west across Glen Ross to attempt to sneak around the south side of the opposite ridge, hopefully picking up a few thermals on the way. Things were looking good as I made good progress across to the next Plato and straight in to yet another riser, then another. Surely it can't be this easy.
Keith unfortunately made a wrong turn, missed the next meal ticket and was forced to land in Glen Rosa. By now I was running out of clouds and the gaps were getting wider, all good things come to an end and with all lift there is sink as I soon found out. Being too far from the next cloud I dropped like a stone, so with the prospect of a long walk back it was time to turn tail and head down wind for home. Fortunately, I picked up some lift, scraped over the lip, in to Glen Ross. With a few possibilities available I decided to head back across the valley to search out the lift on the far side, to attempt to pull back up on to the Plato, and keep the dream alive. Another lesson was soon learnt, as I had dropped below the rim of the valley the wind was at 90 deg to the prevailing wind, and coming straight up the valley, something I had not anticipated, this caused me to quickly rethink, prepare for landing which I did safely. It had been my best UK flight to date and my first proper XC, which lasted two fantastic hours
Monday morning wasn't looking too bright, I gave Zabdi the usual call and arranged to meet up with her on the west coast via stopping off to check out a couple of sites on the way down. We eventually caught up with her for some lunch and a chat, she had a wealth of information, and we could have sat there all afternoon soaking it up, we found that some of the locals hadn't even flown off Goat fell, so we had been lucky to fly there first time. By 1pm things were looking more cheerful so we headed off with Zabdi's group to one of their training sites, Dereneneach. The guide says XC from here across the island is possible, but every day is different and it was very over cast, with light winds. A west to east traverse of the island would have to wait for another day.
As it was we, had a very interesting afternoon, Zabdi kindly offered advice on launching and landing, it became an enlightening refresher. Looking at our skills from different viewpoints, which we were very grateful for.
If you get the weather right, don't mind a walk, getting off the beaten track then Arran is one of those special places you just have to put on your list, I know we will be back, as its tucked away in our hearts
