Doctor Jon decided to open his
2015 Munro account with a quick visit to the Angus glens to capture these 2
relatively modest, yet always enjoyable, Munros. A good choice, as it happens, given that
ferociously strong westerly winds and heavy rainfall had effectively put all
other Munros out of contention for the weekend!
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Glen Clova
A 2hr drive north from Edinburgh
airport placed us at the Forestry Commission car park at the entrance to Glen
Doll some 12 miles up Glen Clova, north of Kirriemuir. This
gives a relatively high start of 260m which, when combined with the somewhat
modest height of the 2 mountains, gives a relatively kind height-to-climb for
the day.
Heading Towards the Shank of Drumfollow
We took the usual route up
through the forest on the Kilbo Path and continuing up the eastern flank of the
Shank of Drumfollow to the skyline at 800m.
Much of the recent snow had melted away leaving patches of generally
soft snow and the occasional hazardous patch of ice on the plateau. Heading east from the skyline and
now in cloud, an easy, if breezy, kilometre brought us to the summit trig point
of Dreish (947m; thorn bush). The cloud may have denied us a view, but
closer to hand, the sight of 2 ptarmigan in winter plumage and a small flock of
golden plovers added welcome interest!
Spring Meltwater in the Fee Burn
With no obvious reason to linger,
we retraced our steps across the plateau and followed the various fences that
now predominate hereabouts before rising ground signalled the approach of our 2nd
Munro of the day: Mayar (928m; high plain).
Corrie Fee
Again, cloud and strong winds moved
us smartly on and taking a line just east of north cross the snow patches took
us to the lip of Corrie Fee. This
impressive steep-sided corrie is a nature reserve and is well worth a visit in
its own right, let alone as part of a Munro day! A few remaining snow patches on
the corrie headwall made for some interesting steps, but caused no major
problems. The same could not be said for
some of the young hillwalkers coming the other way in soft trainers and
leisurewear…. Fortunately, they were quick
to appreciate their predicament and turned back before getting into real
trouble.
Corrie Fee
There just remained a pleasant
descent through the forest and back to the car, a little over 5hrs from
starting out. Given the conditions over
the rest of Scotland that day, we couldn’t help but feel we’d sneaked in
through the back door and grabbed our Munros whilst the weather gods weren’t
looking!
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