Mayar and Driesh

Gaelic meaning :Obscure Hill
Height : 3,062 feet
Walk distance : 9 miles
OS Map : Lochnagar
Difficulty rating : 4

Gaelic meaning : Thorn Bush
Height : 3,107 feet
Difficulty rating : 1 (when both are climbed together)

High time for another Munro (or two) I figured and as I was feeling adventurous I thought I'd go for an area I've never been to before, so where better than the Cairngorms.

The Cairngorms, or to give them their ancient name - Am Monadh Ruadh (the red hills), are Scotlands largest and most famous range of mountains. Given national park status in 2003 it's an area that contains 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the U.K. (Ben Macdhui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgor An Lochain Uaine & Cairn Gorm). Mayar and Driesh, although well short of these lofty heights are a popular walk due to their location, they are described as Dundee's Ben Lomond. The day I chose to head up couldn't have been better, bright blue skies, wind free and nice and warm, perfect for walking.

Park at the Glen Doll car park a couple of miles further along the B955. You have to pay for parking here (£2) and there is a ranger station where you can leave details of the walk you take on route cards, if you run into any trouble the rangers will know you are late and will send out the search party if you fail to return. Handy to know ! To start the walk head past the Ranger station and follow the signs for the woodland walks, you'll soon come to a fork in the road beside some farm buildings, take the road that forks left then follow signs for the Corrie Fee. The road will then fork again, with the road heading of along the ancient Jock's Road to the right, stay on the main path.

Continuing on the main path the forest gives way to open ground and the magnificent Corrie Fee. I was completely taken by surprise by the size of the Corrie, it's really is incredible. After a 5 minute rest and a chance to take in the surroundings follow the path up the steep side of the Corrie.

You can see the retun route down Corrie Kilbo on the way towards Corrie Fee.

Although the path is fine it does get a bit lost on this section and it is pretty steep so care should be taken, especially as it's a busy mountain and it's a single person track. Once at the top, stop and take it all in.

There is a faint path heading SW to the summit of Mayar, follow this and the cairn will soon come into view. From here you have expansive view including the Lomond Hills in Fife, Beinn A' Ghlo in Perth, Lochnagar etc. etc. Plenty to see. When you are ready follow the fence posts toward Driesh.

On the way you can see the return path head diagonally down Corrie Kilbo, head over the bealach and onto the final ascent on Driesh. Once climbed head back to the path down Corrie Kilbo and start the long descent.

Soon you'll be back in the forest where the path, although fine isn't quite as high quality as previously.

I really enjoyed this walk, it was far tougher than I thought but it was my first Munro's of the year and my old legs weren't quite as fit as I'd thought. I've plenty of other excuses also but i'll stick with that one. If you can make your way up to Am Monadh Ruadh I'd recommend these hills, fairly easy but very rewarding, just for Corrie Fee alone !

Here's the route's elevation :

 And the route itself :

Glen Loin

Gaelic meaning : Glen of provision or meadow (I think)
Ascent : 1,501 feet
Walk distance : 11miles
OS Map : Loch Lomond
Difficulty rating : 2 out of 5

After  the monster outing round Glen Finglas I opted for something a little less strenuous in an area I've never really visited before - Arrochar. Home of the famous Arrochar Alps and at the head of Loch Long this is an area of supreme beauty with dramatic & picturesque glens, peaks & corries. Everything any self respecting hill walker would look for in a walk.

The Glen loin walk starts at Arrochar, runs along the foot of several of the "Alps" then finally heads back through the forests at Succoth.

Park at the main Loch Long car park (remember you need to get a ticket from the machine, £1 for the day), cross the bridge then cross the road and head up the path marked Forest Walks, you'll soon come to an info board, follow the path and turn right. The eagle eyed among you will notice a rather impressive hill to the left which the path skirts round, this is Ben Narnairn a munro at 3,056 feet and a rocky looking bugger of a hill. Pretty soon A'Chrois comes into view, not quite a Munro at only 2,798 feet it's none the less an impressive looking hill.

Further along the path the equally impressive Munro Ben Vane (3,019ft) makes it's appearance, sitting at the head of Loch Sloy.

The path is well constructed and easy to follow so you've no chance of getting lost. Soon you head into a wooded area as the path turns of to the left, the views to the right remain open with Ben Vorlich coming into view.

When you reach the bridge cross over then head left up the tarmac road then you'll see the Loch Sloy dam, turn left along the other bridge before you reach the dam. Looking back you'll see the surprisingly conical Ben Lomond in the distance, looks very similar to Schiehallion from this angle. Heading up the path it opens up into Coiregrograin with the Munro's of Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime sitting at the top of the glen.

Follow the path to the sluice gate then down to the left until you reach another left turn before a smaller dam the head back down the hill into the more dense forest.

This is a relaxing and enjoyable section of the walk, it's either flat or all downhill. Pretty soon the trees on the left give way and you get an incredible view over to Ben Lomond.

The walk finishes off in the woods of Succoth above Arrochar with the car park visible and the Faslane naval base in view along Loch Long.

I really enjoyed this walk, it's fairly easy and varied, it felt like it was about 5 different walks rolled into one due to the various types of scenery. My only gripe would be with the electricity pylons along the first section. Not the most scenic. I'd highly recommend doing this walk though, an excellent day out.

HEre's the route profile :

And the route itself :