Early Mountaineers - Cir Mhor

The North Face of Cir Mhor was on of the prime destinations for the first generation of Scottish mountaineers in the late 19th Century. This walk will take a look at their playground and traverse Cir Mhor itself.

Distance: 14 km

Highest point: 799 m (Cir Mhor)

Total ascent: 820 m

Walk duration: 8 hrs

Terrain: rough mountain paths, steep ascents and descents with loose gravel underfoot

Technical rating: Moderate / Challenging

Endurance rating: 3

Cost: £30

Date: Friday 16th May 2025

Meeting time: 07.45

Meeting place: Festival Hub at the Auchrannie Playbarn. Transport to the start &  finish of this walk is provided from
there.

The walk starts gently with a height gain of 200m over 5km up Glen Sannox, however the next stage gives over 250m of height gain over a single kilometre in to Coire na h-Uaimh. Here the lines of first ascents by the likes of WW Naismith, JH Bell and others will be pointed out on the North Face before climbing out of the back of the coire to traverse the summit of Cir Mhor where, weather permitting, all Arran’s ridges will be available for view. A steep descent to the saddle at the head of Glen Rosa from where the route descends the glen, from which more distant views of another early challenge, the A’Chir ridge and the slightly later playground of the Coire Daingean face should be visible along with the challenges of the Rosa Slabs, developed in the 1960’s.

This walk is organised by the Arran Mountain Festival, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC 052229, supported by Auchrannie Leisure Ltd.