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Having done Mayar and Driesh (again) in howling gales and dull, freezing cold weather on Sunday, my ambitions and expectations weren't exactly high for today. A surprise day off meant (in my head at least) a choice between a long, long day attempting the five munros from the Dalmunzie Hotel, with the Braeriach-Devil's Point traverse in my head as well.
Numerous checks of the forecast confirmed that there was no way in hell i wanted to walk 40-odd Km freezing my backside off, being buffeted about by 80kph winds, so i eventually decided on a wander up to Loch Brandy, then The Goet/Ben Tirran if I could be bothered. Criminally, despite having lived in the North Angus area for 38 of my 40 years, I'd never seen Loch Brandy. Oops.
Oh, this also had the added bonus of me staying in bed until 10:30am and not having to be in a hurry for anything. I eventually arrived at the wee car park beyond the Clova Hotel (over the bridge and left) at about 12:40 and started walking. Sunshine and a light breeze (so far) meant only a baselayer/t-shirt and no jacket combo to start with, although i fully expected to need it later on.
I didn't hang about and got to Loch Brandy in around an hour. The views were already terrific.
- Down to the Hotel and Glen Clova from the path to Brandy
- The Snub and the final stretch of path to Brandy
Driesh was looking considerably more hospitable than it had been yesterday
- Across to Driesh
I arrived at the picturesque Loch Brandy and sauntered about for a bit, considered nipping up The Snub, then decided i couldn't be bothered and followed the WH Route instead. The Loch got bonnier the higher i got.
- Brandy
I was starting to feel slightly knackered, probably due to yesterday's wind-afflicted struggle across the Glen. This narky problem was resolved when i discovered I had a bag of Beef Space Raiders in the day sack. Braw.
Crisps demolished in 9.4 seconds, I headed up the hill to the wee cairn and was rewarded with a quite stunning view of the Lochnagar range.
- Lochnagar
It looked magnificent indeed. I started on a very pleasant wander along the plateau, stopping only to take a few shots of the gorgeous Glen Clova below.
- Glen Clova and Angus
Instead of following the track round, i took a branch off and had a wander down to Loch Wharral. No pics as the estate appear to be building a motorway up to it which is as ugly as sin. The fence on the plateau was also being rebuilt. Distinctly underwhelmed i headed on up to the summit of Ben Tirran, The Goet, where I rewarded myself with a cheese piece and a Terry's Chocolate Orange Bar.
- The Goet & Ben Tirran
- The Goet Summit Shelter and Trig
At this point I decided i couldn't be bothered with that horrendous scar back down over Tirran and by Wharral and a roadside trudge, and noticing that I had already done about 5 miles, there wasn't a huge difference in heading back to Brandy and down to my car from there. Plus it was a nicer looking walk. And so i headed back on the proper path, past Stony Loch, and back towards the cairn at the top of Loch Brandy, to be met by the weird sight of an old man pulling his shorts up from his ankles. A slightly awkward and swift hello, and i was heading down the path again.
I was soon passing Brandy again.
- Last Look at Brandy
I headed off down the path pretty quickly, eventually arriving at the car after 3h55m, having not had to wear my jacket at all. The downside of this was quickly realised when sitting in the car, I noticed I had a redder face than Joe Hart and arms that would make a lobster envious.
Still, a highly enjoyable outing, a nice wee hill, with snacks consisting of cheese, Beef Space Raiders and a Chocolate Orange bar. A pleasing day's work.