Glenashdale Falls

A forest camp on The Isle of Arran, Scotland

By Stewart Barr

May 30^th, 2014

Trip log: arran - 15/5/14

I headed down to The Isle of Arran from Glasgow to meet up with my brother in law Andrew for what would be the last forest camp for a while. It was coming into midge season and it had already started as it turned out, albeit mildly. It was a quick 25hr micro adventure getting on the 12:30pm ferry over and the 1:50pm back the following day.

I got the bus from Brodick at the Ferry terminal to go to the family home in Whiting Bay. Andrew was finishing work early and got on the bus at Lamlash. We had a brief stop at the house for Andrew to gather his gear, grab a coffee and fill up on water before heading out.

The trek up

We set off at 2:40pm for the 1hr hike from the Family home at the other end of Whiting Bay. The forecast had looked good (dry) all week and we had lucked out as the sun came out for the rest of the afternoon and evening. We nipped into the shop to pick up a few beers which kind of defeats the purpose of packing ultra-light, but it’s not a big hike.

It was a gorgeous walk along Whiting Bay in the sun before we turned up the Glenashdale Burn trail under the forest canopy. It’s a stunning little trek up to Glenashdale falls as you ascend adjacent to the burn passing a few smaller waterfalls. The blue bells were out in force and the wild garlic was flowering.

wood, beer & dinner

We arrived at the top of the falls at 3:40pm and relaxed for a while. The area above the falls has a picnic bench beside a series of mini water falls that make it such an idyllic setting. We stashed our beers in the burn to let them chill.

At 4:00pm, we set off into the forest where we set up camp. The conditions were so good I decided not to bother putting up a tarp. It was then time to gather some fire wood. There is plenty of dead standing wood about and the only tool that was required was my Laplander folding saw. I decided not to bring the axe this time as it really is overkill with no requirement for splitting the wood as it was so dry.

Cutting the wood is thirsty business though, so by 5:00pm is was time for a beer. I didn't mind slumming it with Tennent’s Lager as it quenched my thirst.

By 6:30pm we had finished chopping the rest of the wood and it was time for dinner. I gathered some fresh peaty water from the burn. There is no real need to filter this water, especially as I was going to boil it but it takes no time to filter so why not. 10 minutes later, dinner was served; Mountain House Chicken Tikka Curry washed down with a can of Vitamin T. Not a bad combination as it turned out.

camp fire & drinks

At 7:30pm, we retreated back to camp and with a few midges about it was time to light the fire. They really didn’t bother us after that. Such a joy sitting watching the fire and take in the surroundings. With a beer.

At 9:21pm, the sun had officially set it was Whisky O’Clock. Singleton 12 year old single malt - one of my favourites. Andrew headed to his tent around midnight and I called it a night soon after.

morning coffee with a view

After a good night’s sleep I got up at 6:45am and wandered out to enjoy a morning coffee overlooking the falls. Andrew joined me shortly afterwards and by 7:30am, we started to pack up. It was a treat to put away a dry tent for a change.

By 8:00am it was time for breakfast down at the picnic table. Stoats Apple & Cinnamon Porridge and a coffee.

We then headed back to camp to get our packs and cache some left over fire wood up off the ground that will hopefully still there in the autumn.

At 9:00am we made a final check to make sure we left no trace and headed out back down the trail to Whiting Bay.

the trek down and out

It was a lovely morning walk back down the hill and along the bay where the tide was out. We were back at the house by 10:00am. I had a few hours to relax before catching the ferry home.

Haste ye back

Another fantastic adventure on Arran with great weather. The next time I’ll be camping on Arran will likely be a summit camp on one of the Goatfell range mountains in the North of the Island.