Northeast Scotland - The Rough Guide to Scotland - page 357

WALKS FROM GLEN DOLL
Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 388 & 387
These walks are some of the main routes across the Grampians from the Angus glens to
Deeside, many of which follow well-established old drovers' roads. All three either fringe or
cross the royal estate of Balmoral, and Prince Charles's favourite mountain - Lochnagar - can
be seen from all angles. The walks all begin from the car park at the end of the tarred road
where Glen Clova meets Glen Doll; all routes should always be approached with care, and you
should follow the usual safety precautions.
CAPEL MOUNTH TO BALLATER 15 MILES; 7HR
Initially, the path zigzags its way up fierce slopes before levelling out to a moorland plateau,
leading to the eastern end of Loch Muick. It then follows the River Muick to Ballater.
CAPEL MOUNTH ROUND TRIP 15 MILES; 8HR
Follows the above route to Loch Muick, doubling back along the loch's southern shore. The
dramatic Streak of Lightning path that follows Corrie Chash leads to a ruined stables below
Sandy Hillock; the descent passes the waterfall by the bridge at Bachnagairn, where a gentle
burn-side track leads back to Glen Doll car park.
JOCK'S ROAD TO BRAEMAR 14 MILES; 7HR
A signposted path leads below Cairn Lunkhard and along a wide ridge towards the summit of
Crow Craigies (3018ft). From here, the path bumps down to Loch Callater then follows the
Callater Burn, eventually hitting the A93 two miles short of Braemar.

10

Glen Clova and around
With its stunning cliffs, heather slopes and valley meadows, Glen Clova - which in the
north becomes Glen Doll - is one of the loveliest of the Angus glens. Although it can
get unpleasantly congested in peak season, the area is still remote enough to enable you
to leave the crowds with little effort. Wildlife is abundant, with deer on the mountains,
wild hares, and even grouse and the occasional buzzard. he meadow flowers on the
valley floor and arctic plants (including great splashes of white and purple saxifrage) on
the rocks make it a botanist's paradise.

Clova
he B955 from Dykehead and Kirriemuir divides at the Gella Bridge over the
swift-coursing River South Esk. Around six miles north of Gella, the two branches of
the road join up once more at the hamlet of CLOVA , home to little more than the
hearty Glen Clova Hotel (see below). An excellent, if fairly strenuous, four-hour walk
from behind the old school at the back of the hotel leads up into the mountains and
around the lip of Loch Brandy .
North from Clova village, the road turns into a rabbit-infested lane coursing along
the riverside for four miles to a car park, which makes a useful starting point for
numerous superb walks . here are no other facilities beyond the village.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING GLEN CLOVA AND AROUND

Glen Clova Hotel In Clova, 15 miles north of
Kirriemuir, along the B955 T 01575 550350, W clova
.com Inviting country hotel, which also has its own
bunkhouse and a private fishing loch. The restaurant

serves up traditional Scottish food, such as venison
casserole and haggis. Mon-Thur s & S un noon -7.4 5pm,
Fri & Sat noon-8.45pm. Dorms £17 ; doubles £90

Glen Prosen
Five miles north of Kirriemuir, the low-key hamlet of Dykehead marks the point where
Glen Prosen and Glen Clova divide. A mile or so up Glen Prosen, you'll find the house