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Mike and i chose one of the nicest days for many a week to head up to the Glens north of Kirrie, and it pains me to say, being a Forfar man...that i had never been up to Glen Doll...
We started our walk at 10.00 am and headed up to Corrie Fee, where all the stories that the guys had told me about how good Corrie Fee was were all realised. What a stunning place, like going back in time and we had a good brisque walk to the waterfall. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the moon was even lingering just above the ridge above the waterfall. (And just above Mike's left lug hole)
As we walked up through the Corrie, you could just imagine a stone-age settlement, protected on three sides by the glacier cut rockfaces, going about their daily business in early autumn...The steep climb up to the waterfall certainly got the breathing going and we stopped to take in the view looking back down the Corrie. There were only a few others on the hill, and we exchanged pleasantries, as only hill walkers do, and were informed that there was some good wildlife up top on the moor.
We climbed SW towards the summit of Mayar and i was pleasently surprised as to the relative gentleness of the walk, both in the steepness of the slope and the soft moorland landscape. Took some stunning pics on the summit and could see clearly for miles in every direction. We stopped for a wee scoff n a cuppa and a blether to the other walkers.
From Mayar, we headed towards Dreish, taking in the views south towards Backwater and West Angus and headed down to the bealach and the Kilbo path, which at the time of ascent, was our chosen descent route. From the bealach we had a good steep climb up towards Dreish and with the angle of the sun on the ridge, it cast a shadow that covered nearly the whole of the valley below. At the summit we donned our warm layer to sit and have ourselves a nice wee brew. Mike identified some "white tops" way in the distance to the North and the pics confirmed the early fall of snow on two summits. We'd bumped in to what we'd call an experienced walker en route up to the summit of Mayar and again atop Dreish, who said he was heading off north east to decend down through the Scorries. We also met up with 2, very determined, lady walkers who'd asked the chap if that route was "walkable"...and after his affirmative reply Mick and i changed our route and headed north east to "check it out". Once we descended the moorland, which was extremely marshy, and hit the ridgeline, the views SE down Clova were stunning. The reason i mention this route, and our change of plan is that this is not a descent for the feint hearted, and we had a great day so in any sort of inclement weather this route would be a nightmare. The 2 girls had also followed us down, so Mick and i waited and "escorted" them safely down to the forrest in the valley below. To say the ladies didn't enjoy the descent would be some what of an understatement. The sensible route out would be back to the bealach and down the Kilbo path, however the steepness of the descent down the Scorries was only really appreciated when we looked back up the hill from valley below...(see the pics attached) and although it was a hard decent (particularly on the knees) we had a damn good feeling of achievement looking back "from whence we came".
All in all the stunning weather, awesome views and damn good company made this a fabulous day out in the Angus Glens, but be warned of descending down The Scorries...now...where next???
