It's Okay To Turn Back - A Hike on the Isle of Arran
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- Опубліковано 13 тра 2024
- Sometimes hikes in the great outdoors don't go to plan. It may turn out more challenging than you imagined, and that scrambly slope just ahead looks way too steep. In such situations it's okay to just turn around and walk away. Indeed, it probably takes some courage to admit defeat, to admit that you have reached your limit; you can go no further. This is one such walk.
A hike on the stunningly beatiful Isle of Arran, from Brodick through Glen Rosa to The Saddle, a low point between Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox, where the rocky peaks of Goatfell and Cir Mhor tower above.
We start in Brodick with a delicious pie from Wooley's of Arran, and make our way through Glen Rosa. The scenery is out of this world, with all sorts of wildlife, ranging from a cuckoo to an eagle and even a snake.
But at The Saddle, just 6 miles out of Brodick, we very swiftly realise that all is not well. The way down into Glen Sannox is frighteningly steep, and we realise with some disappointment and relief that we cannot go that way. To push myself at this exhausted stage could put me in some considerable danger. Turning around and walking away is the only answer. Everyone's different, with different personalities and capabilities, but for me this was the correct decision.
It was then just a case of walking back through Glen Rosa to Brodick, where we sample some Arran Blonde beer in a hotel bar.
A 12 mile trek and an exhausting day. And perhaps a lesson for some.
[Music by Eddy Burns]
Great day for a great walk. No problems with sound. The crispness of the pastry on that pie made my mouth water😊
Best pie I've ever tasted.
I knew this was a channel I'd enjoy when he enjoyed a tasty looking pie 🥧
Thanks
Many thanks Peter.
I've been following you for a while now. I am lucky enough to live on Arran, I moved there last year after many years of visiting the mountains etc. Wish I'd bumped into you Ed!
Glad you enjoyed your visit, Wooleys pies are an absolute treat.
You're absolutely right, the path down to Glen Sannox is no small feat.
Many thanks. I'm envious. I wish I lived on Arran.
@@EdExploresScotland there’s time yet!
You have nothing to prove, pal, thanks for the sxcellent video, really beatiful place, appreciate you taking us along
Thanks guys.
It is always ok to turn back.
Tomorrow is another adventure.
Absolutely.
Thank you Ed for another beautiful walk. I agree that it is okay to turn back, especially when one's mind and body say forward is not the way.
Heights and danger have never been my strong points.
There are those of us "of a certain age" where "turning back" comes from the earned experiences of pushing on when your mind says "you can do it" and the next day says "what were you thinking"?
I will never tire of the beauty of Scotland. Thank you for taking us along.
BTW.....Don't think it's cell towers.....I'm going with Gremlins.
Yes. Gremlins. You could be right.
Hi Ed thanks again for a great video, the image quality is excellent ! Like you I could live on Arran, first camped in Glen Rosa in '56 and almost drowned during the night. Heavy rain, exceptionally high tide and the river burst its banks. Lost everything except my life. I have been back several times since ... and just love the place.
It's an enchanting landscape where the appearance of some dinosaur-like creature would not look out of place.
You did right Ed. Very sensible. Live to walk another day.
Absolutely.
I enjoyed this Ed. Agree with you about supermarkets
What a beautiful walk and I totally agree that it is OK to turn around. Gorgeous filming of the landscapes.
Many thanks. Arran's a quite magical place.
There's nothing better than an emergency pie when you need one. Great video. I've had a few walking holidays in Scotland and enjoyed them immensely.
Cheers David.
I think the bit from the saddle to Glen Sannox is called the chimney and I did that walk over 12 years ago when I was in my mid 50’s and it was a scramble down. Enjoyed the video and you probably made the right decision. Take care and hope to catch your next trek. Thanks Ed.😁
Stunning view of the glen
A thoroughly interesting and entertaining video from the pie to the pint.
An excellent video thanks Ed.
Beautiful scenery and stunning weather.
Thank you.
I like 👍Cir Mhor mountain towers above Glen Rosa it is absolutely beautiful
Ed Exploring and supporting real bakeries with his delicious Shepard's pie. Support local businesses or all we will have will be self serve supermarkets.
Enjoyed this, Ed😊. We are going to Arran again next week for a few days. And, yes, Woolley's pies are delicious!
Thank you. Enjoy your adventure.
Cracker of a video Ed - inspiring stuff. Only been in Arran once for a day trip. Looks fabulous.
You’re right about supermarkets…horrible places to get trapped in full of soulless people floating around & self service checkouts that don’t work.
Cheers Graham. One of the many things about supermarkets is the large number of customers who are so overweight they can barely stand, and do their shopping while slumped over their trolley.
Yup 👍🏼 It’s retired auld guys who spend all day in supermarkets nowadays, they’re either pestering the life out of their wives who’ve been happily doing the shopping for years - but now they know better, who amaze me.
I remember when men went to work pub or the fitba or walking around the hills & glens. (Wae a pie 🥧) 🤣
Nothing wrong on airing on the side of caution especially up there it's a beautiful place indeed but the weather can change very very quickly too better to stay safe rather than come up against any problems wise decision and yet again another great video 🎥 thanks Ed....
Thank you. 100% the correct decision for me.
Hi Eddy, I also had a 'mare on the Arran Coastal Path, with no phone signal or 4G, my boots caked in green cow poo and in danger of missing the last ferry back to the mainland. Thank you so much for your honesty :-). Your videos have been very helpful to me on other walks and I just wanted to let you know that as a fellow - ahem - "mature" walker, I always enjoy your adventures x
Many thanks. Happy hiking.
The Pie muncher 😋 survives to tell another tale 😊
Feel like I'm seeing Scotland for the first time. Keep the videos coming. Great stuff.
P.S. You always crack me up with laughter. I'd like to shout you a few beers as you go along!❤
Cheers Patricia. I suspect sometimes my humour is teetering on the edge of madness.
If I come to Scotland, I'd like to have a beer with you! Meanwhile, how can I shout you a few beers? You deserve it.
Hi Eddy, great video. Thanks. Know this walk well. Glen Rosa is the 'tick capital' of Scotland: last time out I had twelve...wearing shorts though. Hope you did a wee bit better. Thanks again.
Goodness. No ticks, as far as I'm aware. I wonder if there's a tick season when there's more of them.
Beautiful, the ferry journey is a treat
You can't beat a jaunt on a ferry.
Loved it, one of your best walking vids Ed. I must go back to Arran soon. On a clear day I can see Goat Fell from Cockleroy in West Lothian - one of my many walks with my dog.
On the subject of self service checkouts, there should be a discount for using them!
Yes, I like that discount idea.
As my Mum says "If in doubt, chuck it out", though thats really about food and the fact I have no sense of smell but it still works for other things 🤣 Better to have more adventures another day than risk this as your last. "Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye" is what my Dad's says 😁
Another lovely film Ed. The music at the start, which seemed to echo the shape of the hills, interwining and subtly repeating, is truly gorgeous. That, as well as the words 'It's Okay to Turn Back' caused me to feel somewhat emotional, because it felt like a message from the Universe about certain situations in my own life. So thanks for that healing 'message'.
I think your instincts to turn back and not risk you life are 100% sensible and right! Live to hike another day!
As for the sound issue, at first I thought it was the sound of rain hitting something. It doesn't sound like any mobile phone mast interference that I've ever heard, but then I don't know what 4G or 5G sounds like these days. They probably transmit at much faster frequencies than the 'old' one did. Have you thought about getting your work sponsored by pie making companies? Or even smaller bakery chains? You are giving them free advertising otherwise! Nice to see you advertising your own books at the end. You could offer a CD of the lovely incidental music you've been creating of late. I'm sure many of us would buy it. I always find myself laughing at your self-depreciating humour Ed. You are a national treasure in my view. Yes - it is a mark of these crazy times we live in that a pint of locally brewed beer costs as much ( if not more ) to obtain than an imported one. Scandalous. But then so much is these days.
Cheers Eilean. The mic issue is a strange one. A few clips were okay. The wind seemed to have a serious effect beyond simple wind noise. I can't use that mic. It may be something to do with it being a condenser mic and maybe not getting sufficient power to operate from the sound recorder. The fact that some clips were okay just adds to the confusion. I just do not know.
@EdExploresScotland Yes, a condenser mic needs 48V in power supplied from a device, unless it has its own internal battery.
I hope it wasn't an expensive one!
Fairly inexpensive. Back to using the £10 Curry's mic.
That's great you managed to get back over to beautiful Arran. Stunning footage and you got a great day for it! Glen Rosa is so breathtaking and magical. I like to dilly-dally as well and the glen lets you experience the mountains without having to climb them 😀
We hope to walk this in June but starting at Glen Sannox. I must admit the steep scramble up over the Saddle is worrying me a bit. I know there's a steep gully section called "Whin Dyke". I'm not sure if it's easier going up or down, and I'm not as fit as I used to be.
I think we just go as far as we can, and like you be sensible to know when to turn back. I am determined though and would love to be on top of the Saddle, then walk back down Glen Rosa. We are staying on the island so at least there will be no time constraints. I just hope I don't become a headline "Did she fall, or was she pushed" ... 😱🤣
Enjoy your hike. I think even going up to The Saddle from Glen Sannox is a challenge. I certainly made the right decision in not descending from there into Glen Sannox. Everyone's capabilities are different.
@EdExploresScotland yes, I think it will be a challenge. I'll see how it goes 🤞 thanks 😀
Aye.....bring back the wee local shops that get their products from the farm doon the road and don't wrap everything in plastic....!!!
Great you got a walk up Glen Rosa.....
Been watching your travels so it's good you got over to my home Isle............
Arran is a lovely place.
Hi Ed, It's great to see Arran again! A few years back I remember running (it must have been a few years) along the Glen Rosa path back towards Brodick, pursued by a swarm of midges,as I passed the campsite there was some Boy Scouts setting up some tents, all wearing midge face coverings,I wondered as I rushed past whether they got a badge for spending the night in Glen Rosa during the 'Midge Season '. Happy Hiking! Well Done!
Certainly an argument for doing such a walk before the midges emerge.
Great video Ed. Never been to Arran but hope to get over sometime
Definitely worth a voyage.
Hi Ed . Great wee video of your Arran adventure. Well done really liked it. If in doubt turn about mate . Still an enjoyable watch. Am all for buying local , however local produce can be expensive like your beer. Sounded like a rip off to me. Well done
Cheers Andy.
Outstanding cinematography man, this was flawless presentation! 👏👏
Thank you.
Hi Ed, great video and this is one of my favourite walks. You are right, it's best to do Glen Sannox , then up the 'chimney' as it is so called as it does in fact resemble a chimney and is as steep. The Chimney leads onto the Saddle. It's more tricky going from Glen Rosa into Glen Sannox because of the Chimney. Good choice turning back at that point. You had wonderful views from the Saddle. Well done!
Many thanks. Glen Rosa was simply stunning.
Some great views there Ed. One has the right to say enough is enough when on a long walk, especially with a climb. Maybe you should visit Aldi in Grieff because I dont think that they are suspicious of people there. 😁😁
Hi Ed, Arran looks great, my brother sometimes rents a wee cottage over there, his good lady is intae the hill walking, but, him being a wee bit aulder usually opts oot. I must get over and see it for masel some day. It sounds like a good day oot, a wee hurl on the train, then the ferry. looking forward tae the next wan.
There's a spot in Glen Rosa that seems ideal for having a small dip in a stream. I shall return some day.
There are many Adder snakes on Arran. A man was airlifted off the island a couple of years ago after being bitten.
Enjoyed this video too. When I left Glasgow you could get six pints of heavy for a pound not one pint for six pounds, but I guess that's progress for you.
I remember when a pint was 1s6d.
@@EdExploresScotland but were you no too young to actually buy one ?
Yup.
Enjoyed yer video and scenes around with your chat was funny ..I also grudge paying such amounts for what is a small bottle beer . why i only go to a club or cheaper bars . But i enjoy the countryside much in which i miss , and dont get it enough Although enjoy riding on E bike which i did last two days in nice summers weather we have had recent as hilly areas so much at ease now . Enjoy Fishing also and much miss that in Scotland .
Cheers. 👍
That was some jaunt you did there Ed, good on you. Oh and where's George?
George is in the cupboard. He sometimes wakes me in the middle of the night with sudden unnannounced bouts of, 'Hallo there!'
Great video again, Eddy. Good decision on not going down the other side if it looked dodgy. 👍
Cheers. I've never been great with heights.
@@EdExploresScotland Me neither! 😂
Hi Ed, that drop is all in your head. Put your back to the offending view then one step at a time descend. Get it done Sir. You had the balls to walk the 6 miles up there in the first place.
Nae danger!
Did you get the ferry over from Troon or Ardrossan?
I got the ferry from Troon to Brodick. On the way back it was the ferry from Brodick to Ardrossan. If you do a web search for 'Calmac' you can find the timetables.
Might I suggest that the geology you so admired was probably responsible for the interference on your microphone. Arran is largely granite and contains veins of naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. It’s their radioactive decay products that you might have been picking up in the manner of a wee Geiger counter. Just a thought.
Thanks Mark. It's certainly an interesting thought. I did film footage (not used) of a lump of iron or iron ore on the path. It was just sitting there rusting. A few clips were okay with the mic. I had issues when filming in Washington Srtreet in Glasgow, and a part of me thinks it's wind causing havoc with the mic, but the effect of wind seems way in excess of what I would normally expect. Then there's that weird clicking. I'm at a loss, but cannot use that mic again.
Would that be a three pie er
Yup.