Fairy Glen & Glen Cloy


Forum » Walk Reports » Scotland

By Chris Mac on 14/09/15 at 11:44pm

Date started:03/04/2015
Distance:10.2 km or 6.3 miles
Ascent:260m or 853ft
Time taken:2:30
Naismith:2:28

Easter time and back home on Arran we decided to walk up Fairy Glen and do the circular route that would take us through Brodick, up the Lamlash Hill through Fairy Glen, round through the forestry track to Glen Cloy and back home. The weather wasn't good but we didn't let that stop us and walked through Brodick to the path that leads up the hill south of the village.

Before long you enter Strathwhillan Wood and can see the edge of the Clauchland Hills in the distance:

The path winds through the forest and is very easy going:

Not long after you are in Fairy Glen and cross a couple of bridges:

It's a lovely wee Glen and in this pic you can see a rope swing hanging from the trees, I wonder if the Fae put that there?! :D

Continuing on an Y is storming ahead while I take photo's!

A great wee sign!

Looking up the hill to the west, we'll be heading along that way from left to right shortly when we go along the forestry track to Glen Cloy:

Looking back towards the incredible Arran peaks but unfortunately only Maol Donn and Glenshant Hill are visible...

The path soon meets up with the road at the top of the Lamlash hill where there is a rest area and picnic table and excellent views (on a clear day) of the mountains:

The viewpoint marker shows what we should be looking at...

You then follow the road towards Lamlash briefly before turning to the right to follow the forestry path towards Glen Cloy:

The view quickly opens up to show Holy Isle sitting in Lamlash bay:

Another shot of Holy Isle showing some of the felling done by the forestry commission which has left the hill a little bare...

Poor trees, some of them are massive!

Onwards we go along the path...

Looking west... :(

Several viewpoints open up as you walk along with this one showing Brodick bay:

More rain on the way, luckily the forestry commision path is a good one so there is no risk of getting bogged down anywhere, yet!

Looking towards Torr nan Dearc which is covered in cloud:

Another shot of the hills above Glen Cloy with Cnoc Breac on the left through the trees, Torr nan Dearc in the middle and Torr Maol just out of view to the right:

Sithean and Cnoc Breac are now more visible but again it's unfortunately due to tree felling!

The path continues with the waterfalls at Creag na h-lolaire now visible:

A panoramic shot of the Glen Cloy hills:

Torr nan Dearc again:

Continuing on...

Eventually the path swings round to the north at Gleann Dubh and you enter the top of Glen Cloy where Glen Cloy Water combines the burns of Gleann Dubh and Glen Ormidale:

Looking back along the forestry path:

The path ends and reaches a field which must be crossed to reach the track:

Looking back towards Torr nan Dearc one last time:

Cue funny looks from two large horses wondering why two people are strolling through their field! The end of the field was very muddy due to the horses so we had to veer left of the path and climb over the fence:

On reaching the track and heading along Glen Cloy Water the view back to the west opens up to show Torr Maol and Muileann Gaoithe:

Now i'd normally expect to see a duck derby at Shiskine Valley Sports Day but we were lucky enough to watch a real one as this duck made his way down the length of Glen Cloy Water! :lol:

A local cow says hi!

The duck is still going, good effort! But is he way ahead or bringing up the rear?! :clap: :D We lose sight of the duck as we turn into the Auchrannie to go for an after walk refreshment:

Lo and behold it looks like our feathered friend has been beaten!

But a couple of splash landings later and two more ducks join in the fun, looks like our friend was last after all! :lol:

A highly entertaining end to a good walk, thanks ducks!! :D

A nice and quick 10k walk which can be done easily by anyone and on a better day would afford even nicer views. If you can witness a real life duck derby then it makes it even better!! :wink:



WalkLakes recognises that hill walking, or walking in the mountains, is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death.
Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.