The Isle
of Arran is located in a perfect setting in the Firth of Clyde.
To the west, across the Kilbrennan Sound, is the Kintyre peninsula,
to the east, across the Firth of Clyde, is the Ayrshire coast
and to the north, across the Sound of Bute, is the Isle of Bute.
Direct access from the
mainland is by way of the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick. This
town, the island’s ‘capital’ is built above
the
perfect little bay of the same name about mid-way up the eastern
coast. Glen Rosa, one of Scotland’s most attractive glens,
runs north-west from Brodick before turning north.
Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran, Scotland. 10x8 Photograph (25x20cm) Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran from Robert Harding
.
Small trout
abound in the clear waters of the little river Rosa and no roadway
mars the perfection of its setting. The wide valley mouth above
Brodick is graced on its northern face by Brodick Castle which
is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It was once
stormed by the armies of Robert the Bruce and he later used
it as a base for the mainland campaign which terminated at Bannockburn
in 1314.
The castle
stands almost in the shadow of Goat Fell which is the highest
of all the mountains of Arran. Also owned by the National Trust,
it is climbed by a steep
but not too difficult ascent. From its summit can be seen parts
of three countries, England, Scotland and Ireland. Because of
its more gentle attractions, coupled with a height of 2,866
feet, Goat Fell is one of the most popular of Scottish mountains
for tourists who wish to gain beautiful viewpoints but who are
not expert climbers.
Glen Rosa’s
northern reaches are ended by the approach to the lovely mountain
of Cir Mhor. In rugged splendour it rises from the valley floor
as part of the saddle which separates Glen Rosa, Glen lorsa
and Glen Sannox. Rising up in solitary magnificence to 2,618
feet, Cir Mhor in turn is surpassed by neighbouring Caisteal
Abhail (2.735 feet). To the right on the way back down Glen
Rosa can be seen the heights of Beinn Tarsuinn (2,706 feet)
and Beinn Nuis (2,597 feet) which overlook the lovely lorsa
Water. This range reaches its southern extremity at An Tunna
overlooking the road that crosses the island from Brodick to
Blackwaterfoot.
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