free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
MWIS suggest a low probability of could free munros today so it's another Corbett for me, and an excuse to go back to Glen Clova; even if the road down there is a narrow twisting nightmare of slowness for about 1000miles (or so it seems)
My walk commenced from the car park just over the bridge from the hotel as suggested by WH
it is then a short walk back over the same bridge to the hotel car park where I keep left and take the track past the white buildings with a blue roof
then ahead follow the sign which says 'public footpath to Glenesk'
once past the holiday cabins (which were very busy today) I cross a little bridge and get my first glimpse of the walk ahead
I am soon on the well trodden path heading upwards, it's not steep but you know you are doing it...
the path is busy with a number of walkers heading in all directions and dugs a-plenty (how I wish I had their energy)
I am soon up high enough to look back at the lush green glen below
the ascent then reaches a welcome plateau, after the constant uphill from the start it's nice to have a level breather
I arrive at the south west corner of Loch Brandy and see a few people wandering around, I consider heading up 'the snub' but remember the WH suggestion that the 'broom shank' route provides better views.....well that and the fact that 'the snub' looks steep as hell
I elect to take the gentle route across the southern end of the loch and up 'broom shank', the well constructed path continues that way, and a fellow walker provides perspective for my shot
looking across the loch with 'the snub' on the left hand side of the shot
and forward to the 'broom shank' which looks a much more relaxed ascent
the small ford at the south east corner of loch brandy presents no problem today
as I ascend the 'broom shank' it quickly becomes apparent that it has some very steep sections and I take the opportunity to stop and chat with a very nice couple heading down whilst I regain my breath, when we say our goodbyes they provide excellent perspective for my next shot (left hand side of shot)
from a point close to the top of the ascent it is possible to look into the water of loch brandy and see the curved shape of the causeway at the south end (left of shot) below the water
at the top of the ascent on 'green hill' is a cairn marking the spot to turn east (right) and head toward the target for the day. The clear air allows fantastic long views across the distant tops
as is always my way, I wander off the path toward the craigs of loch wharral in the hope of getting a better view as the path seems to skirt too far north of the loch for my liking
the going is easy though there are a number of significant peat bogs which would present much more of an issue had it not been so dry for so long, the speck to the left of shot is another lone walker heading down from 'The Goet'
I continued on to the rim in order to grab a photo of loch wharral looking down the glen
I then had to ascend a little to go around white burn and head off up toward 'The Goet'
on arrival at the summit I tuck myself in for a nice 10 minute break, tea and snacks
I use the trig point as a tripod to grab the 'evidence' shot with mount keen in the background mostly hidden by the huge style over the electric fence that crosses the hill
from the top of the style a zoomed shot shows the long scar of the summit path leading to mount keen
I then head down toward the unassuming cairn on the summit of Ben Tirran enjoying the clear views in every direction
I wander down the west side of Ben Tirran looking to pick up the path marked on the OS map and have a last look over to loch wharral
I quickly pick up the narrow pathway and and head down to the cairn marking the spot for those wishing to branch off to the loch on ascent. The view down the glen as the dappled light hits the lush green grass is worth the walk on its own.
I somehow miss the footbridge shown on the map to the north of the Adielinn plantation (if it exists) but spot a narrow path almost hidden in the heather just before reaching the trees, this leads to an easy crossing of the burn of loch wharral
once across there is something of a pathway (albeit very faint) leading down to the road which in turn leads back to Clova
as I neared the end of the path I saw a car parked by the gate and a walker arrive at it and begin the boots off process, when I arrive at the gate the man 'Peter' has waited to see if I am heading to Clova and offered me a lift, what a damn fine bloke, I hate walking on tarmac
The journey to the car park was quick and interesting as 'Peter' told me a bit about himself (almost 80 years old)and his plans to do Morven later in the week. He didn't even let me buy him a drink as he dropped me off and continued down toward Glendoll.
Another great day in the hills, those who read my reports will know it's not a bout the size or difficulty of a hill, for me it is about wandering and today was a damn fine wander
