Mayar and Driesh

We had a brief chat with the Ranger at our starting point. He was a font of knowledge and made a courteous request that we do not camp in the Corrie as it was nesting season for the Eagles, emphasising that Glen Clova had been visited by unprecedented numbers this year and the footfall and impact of wild campers had taken it's toll, many of who simply abused the access. Michael and Liam were walk again as the Climbing Clowns fundraising duo.

From the Ranger Station at Glen Doll we set off along a wide forest track, passing various well posted walking routes, including 'Jocks Road' - The Ancient Road to Braemar, emerging into the stunning natural amphitheater of Corrie Fee after a good 45 minutes brisk walk. The area's appeal was instantaneous but it was hard to fathom why anybody would treat such beauty with anything other than awe and reverence.

The twin tops of Mayar (3044ft) and Driesh (3106ft) are joined by an extensive rolling plateau, nestled in the Angus Glens and forming a 9 mile circuit route.

The Corrie, carved out by a giant Ice Age Glacier, contains rare Alpine Flora and Fauna, has a very complex Geology and is home to an amazing array of wildlife including Roe Deer and Golden Eagles. Not for the first time I made a mental note to read up a bit more of the Geology, Nature and History of the places we were visiting.

Corrie Fee - the picture doesn't do the size and scale justice!

Crossing the base of the Corrie was a delight, the sense of being encapsulated within the landscape heightening the closer we got to it's mountainous horse-shoe. The Ranger had suggested camping at the top of the waterfall so that became our target and a stiff, steep climb ensued as the weather drew in.

The ground at this elevated level was surprisingly boggy and we had difficulty finding an island to camp but when we did it was a fantastic spot. Liam had the foresight to bring along a small amount of kindling and, as I had my tent up first, I set about building a small fireplace using a stone slab as a hearth to avoid any damage. We had decided to bring along our hip flasks for this one and a pleasant night was had around a small fire under a clear, cold sky assisted by a large measure of T

Waking early before the others I fired up the coffee and porridge and ate in wonderful silence from the tent watching the misty light emerge. The lads weren't far behind and it wasn't long before we were off. It was clear that this walk was going to be anything but clear as the mist thickened to a shrill rain. In no time at all we were at the summit of Mayar, highlighting how much height we must have put in yesterday.

This was now becoming Mayar and Driech

Visibility was low so a bit of compass work was required to ensure we didn't head off along one of the several paths that reach the summit of Mayar. We soon picked up the fence-line running along the ridge between both summits and a sizable cairn gave us our marker to veer left on the detour to Dreish. The rain at this point was driving hard and the wind made conversation futile so we trod along in silence picking our way upwards towards the Shelter Cairn at the Summit of Driesh. Retracing our steps in foul weather and poor visibility we were thankful for the few small cairns that keep you on the faint path, dropping again into the Bealach between Corrie Kilbo and Black Skellies and back towards the top of the southside of the Shank of Drumfollow.

Picking up the Path of Kilbo the weather cleared as we began our descent and views of the forest below and our destination began to emerge. Recent works have made this path good going until we reached the tree line and the ongoing renovations diverted us though the forest floor and a steep, root tangled, marshy undergrowth. We finally emerged into extensive log works and followed the path back to tarmac and the final stretch to the Ranger Station.

It wasn't even noon yet.

A damp Liam and I at the head of The Kilbo Path