Here are some photos from an afternoon out this week with Wally on Cioch na H-Oighe, Arran. The route incorporated a round of the Devils Punchbowl, above the village of Sannox, and some excellent scrambling. The difficulties are (mostly) avoidable by following a wandering and eroded path up the steep flanks. However, if you have a good head for heights it is much more pleasant to take a direct line up slabs and chimneys on good solid granite. There are fantastic views across the Firth of Clyde to Bute and the Cumbraes, and down in to the Punchbowl. The descent on the southern flank of the Punchbowl is bouldery and awkward, but the rewards are fine views of Cioch na H- Oighe (literally "Maiden's breast...") and the cliffs of the Bastion, which are the domain of hard rock climbers. This is a short but challenging outing, requiring a good head for heights, confident route finding and navigation skills. I describe a winter outing on this ridge here.
A small path heads up from the entrance to Glen Sannox in to the Devil's Punchbowl
Just before the entrance to the Punchbowl a traverse path winds its way around the base of the Cioch until almost above Glen Sannox.
From here there is excellent scrambling on good rock.
Beyond the Cioch, the ridge narrows in to a fine bouldery crest.
The view back across the Punchbowl from the descent down the southern flank.
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