Pirnmill Hills, Isle of Arran

The walk begins at Mid Thundergay. A signpost at the start indicates the route to Coire Fhionn Lochan. Follow the access lane up past the houses and continue on the well-constructed path that runs alongside to a burn climbing gradually up the heather-clad slopes to the lochan.

Cross the burn to bear left along the shoreline of the lochan. Continue in the same direction up to the col (NR907461) and bear right to follow the rocky ridge slopes south, up to Beinn Bhreac. Keeping to the right-hand edge initially provides better views of Coire Fhionn Lochan below. The path then fades briefly but, by heading over to the left a bit, you’ll soon pick up a clear path again. Look out for excellent views of Goatfell’s jagged peaks to the east, and increasingly good views west over Kilbrannan Sound and Kintyre to Jura, with Islay to the south. You should also be able to spot the prominent pyramidal island of Ailsa Craig that lies some miles offshore to the south.

A cairn marks the 711m/2,333ft summit of Beinn Bhreac (NR907443). This is a splendid viewpoint. Below to the east is Loch Tanna and beyond it Glen Lorsa, which divides the north of the island: the highest peaks to the east; the more rounded hills in the west. Continue south along the bouldery ridge; although it narrows a bit, it’s never uncomfortably exposed. A descent to the col of Bealach an Fharaidh is followed by a further ascent to Mullach Buidhe, marked by a trig point. (A) At 721m/2,365ft, Mullach Buidhe is the highest summit of this range of hills and another marvellous viewpoint. Staying on the crest, you drop down again before climbing up once more, past the granite slabs of a prominent tor, to the final summit marked by a cairn (NR896423).

Descend the ridge in a north-northwest direction. On reaching the lower moorland, continue in the same direction. The path becomes somewhat indistinct, but you should eventually reach a burn which you’ll need to cross, continuing down its north side to where it joins the Allt Gobhlach (NR887439). The path crosses the river at this point and follows its northern bank, eventually dropping into a steep wooded gorge. Keep well clear of the gorge. The route crosses a ladder-stile over a deer fence and then heads down through woodland.

Emerging from the tree-cover, bear right along the track marked ‘Alternative route to North Pirnmill’. This heads north, bringing you back down to the road about a mile south of Mid Thundergay. Turn right along the road back to the start.