NEW for 2026: Cir Mhor & Glen Catacol

 | Overview

Technical Rating

Moderate  

Easy scrambling, elements of exposure, some rough terrain.

Endurance Rating

3  

Sustained steep ascents and descents, long-distance, stamina required, suitable for fit walkers. Have you had recent experience of walking for 6-8 hours? Have you recently walked up (and down) a mountain of over 1000m (3000ft) in height without physical distress? Do you regularly play an aerobic sport pretty much every week? If your answer is "No", we'd guess you'd be happier doing a walk rated a level lower than the one you’ve just read! As noted previously, we're into FUN so we don't want you to miss out by overdoing it.

 | Photo Gallery

 | Walk description

The walk starts gently with a height gain of 150m over 5km up Glen Rosa, possibly imbuing a false sense of security in respect of the next couple of kilometres climbing 650m!

Heading up to the Saddle at the head of the Glen there is often a chance of spotting a soaring Golden Eagle. From the Saddle a much sterner climb gains the top of Cir Mhor and fabulous views down both Glens Rosa & Sannox.

From the summit, the route descends and skirts round the sweeping Hunter’s Ridge before dropping off over rough grassland to the head of Gleann Diomhan where a path is regained which heads down, past some of Arran’s endemic whitebeams, to the beautiful glaciated form of Glen Catacol.

Route Profile

 | Advised Kit List