I read some previous walk reports for this hill and, having looked at the map, I wondered if it would be possible to make it a circular walk rather than a straight up-down. OS maps showed a track going through the woods and I wondered if there was an easy way out onto the open hill from that. Cue Google maps! The satellite image suggested there was a track to follow out of the woods, so having plotted an intended route in Viewranger, we decided to give it a go. Parking at the 2nd forestry entrance if coming from Kirkton of Glenisla direction, we followed the track uphill the with Drumore Loch peeking out from behind the trees below.
- Looking down at my car on the way up!
- Drumore Loch
Just opposite some wooden pallets (not sure if they will always be there!) is a more overgrown track heading uphill. It isn't too bad of a track to start with but higher up there are fallen trees across it. A bit of going around, clambering over and crouching beneath was needed to get around but there was only a few bits to get around and we were out on the moorland.
- The start of the trees across the track, just a short section of this.
- Moss enjoying a roll in the heather, she seemed to enjoy the section with all the fallen trees!
There were faint tracks in places heading up, but mostly we ploughed through the heather heading up towards the fence line. Upon reaching it the summit cairn of Meall Mor was just a short distance away.
- Moss and Zena on the summit cairn
Considering its not a big hill, the views certainly weren't too bad with Angus spread out below. Low cloud obscured some of the view but still, a fair reward for what really was only a little bit of effort!
- Views from the summit
For the descent we followed the wall downhill. There was a gap in the first wall, the second wall required climbing over this made a bit more awkward with a fence on the other side but myself and the dogs made it over with no mishap.
- Wall 1, Wall 2 and Spot Moss!
Once over the wall we picked up a narrow path and, as it was going in the direction we wanted to go, we followed that. Our target was the clear forestry track that we could see ahead and we could see a grassy track leading towards it and this was pretty much where this path took us.
- On the wee path down
It wasn't long until we reached the gate - which was unlocked - but it wouldn't have been much of an issue if it was locked as the fence was sagging leaving low sections which would be easy to cross.
- Gate back into the forest
From here we simply followed the forestry track down to the road, several deer crossing the track in front of us. Just as well Zena was on the lead! We saw a few deer on the route, and as we were walking back to to car along the road there were a few more on the opposite side of the road.
- Short stretch of road back to car.
