Arran’s Returning Local Hero

There’s just a couple more weeks before the start of the 2013 Arran Mountain Festival on 17-20 May. Festival organisers report a record number of bookings this year, from both new and returning visitors. To go with the busy days on the hill, there is also an exciting programme of evening entertainment, which is open to everyone.

The highlight will be the illustrated talk given by local hero Calum McNicol on Saturday 18 May at Corrie Hall. Find out about his record breaking attempt when rowing across the Atlantic Ocean earlier this year. Doors open at 7pm and your chilli and rice dinner is included in your ticket price (£10 and £7 for under-16s). 50% of each ticket sale will be donated to Calum’s charity, Ayrshire Hospice. The night has been generously sponsored by Arran Active, the Outdoor Specialist shop found at the Cladach Visitor Centre, a longterm and faithful supporter of the Festival. Please be generous and back this fabulous evening: tickets are available at Arran Active or online.

Returning by popular demand is the Friday night (17 May) social gathering, this year at the Ormidale Hotel in Brodick from 5.30pm. On the Sunday night (19 May) there will be the mountain pub quiz, again at the Ormidale, starting at 8.30 pm (£2 per person, three in a team).

If you are still hoping to get onto one of the Mountain Festival walks, please urgently book as many of the routes are now full. Bookings can be made online here or by phone on 01770 302244.