Travel Apparently a postbus service exists from Kirriemuir to Glen Clova. This reaches Glen Clova Hotel at around 10.30am and heads back about an hour later. Scottish Citylink provides a service to Forfar which is the most convenient place from which to reach Glen Doll. Driesh as seen from the head of Glen Clova

Glen Clova
Glen Doll is in the South Eastern Grampians. The river in Glen Doll drains into Glen Clova, which extends out south eastwards to the flatter country on the coast of Angus. It is therefore a long drive to reach other parts of the Scottish Highlands. Most of the available walks are hence confined within the glen. There are six munros that can be reached with relative ease from this glen along with one Corbett.

Glas Moal as seen from Mayar Driesh as seen from near Jocks Road

Driesh seen from Mayar

The most obvious hills to climb include Mayar and Driesh on the southern side of the Glen. These summits include an ascent through fine corries to reach the extensive plateau high up. The summits by themselves involve a relaxed walk. This can be extended, however, by walking out across vast plateaux to climb the summits of Tolmount and Tom Bhuide before descending via Jocks Road to the glen.

The hills of the White Mounth to the north(which includes some Lochnagar summits) can also be climbed. They are also ascended via Jocks road and include some extensive high plateau crossings. A great place for cross country skiing. The munros of Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch are the most accessible summits to the north.

Looking south from Mayar

The Lochnagar hills rising above Glen Doll

All the hills mentioned so far are munros but one summit often overlooked is Ben Tirran on the north side of Glen Clova. At 896m, this mountain provides some beautiful corries that are filled by lochs. As such it is probably the best hill to climb in the area. The walk is easy to complete.

Glen Esk
The drive up Glen Esk is a long one. From the B966, the end of the road lies 15miles away at Invermark. Mount Keen is most easily accessible from the top of Glen Esk at Invermark and Mount Battock is best accessed from Tarfside. Both summits are worthy of note, Mount Keen being the most easterly munro while the other is noted as being the most easterly Corbett.

Looking up Glen Mark

The vast plateau extending west from Mount Keen

The walk to Mount Keen takes a 3km walk up a track in Glen Mark to the Queens Well, an interesting structure. Beyond Glen Mark Cottage, the landrover track leaves Glen Mark continues to ascend quite steeply up the slopes of Ladder Burn to the plateu above where Mount Keen reveals itself fully as a gentle summit dome. The landrover track continues up to the 670m conotur where a very well contructed path branches off the track to ascend Mount Keen. The path is in excellent condition right up until the boulder fields that occupy the last 100m of slope. It is probably one of the few munros that you can cycle up nearly all the way to its summit.

Mount Keen seen from the south

Looking south from Mount Keen back down the path to Glen Mark

Alternative routes of ascent to Mount Keen lie to the north, from the long approach up Glen Tanar and the undulating route from Ballater.