Loch Brandy

Start at Milltown of Clova. The path climbs through woodland and past cabins, crosses a footbridge, then opens onto the hillside. It gains height quickly, with views back down Glen Clova; the steep prow beside the route is known as Laird's Chamber. The path is improved in places, but expect steep, stony and rocky ground higher up. It can be colder and windier on the hill than in the glen, and the weather can change quickly.

The public car park is just over the bridge toward Glen Doll; the hotel car park is for patrons, so follow local signs rather than assuming the hotel lot is public. Dogs are welcome under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The loch sits beneath enclosing crags, with boulders and shallow pools along its intricate shore. Take one of the short paths beside the outflow for a closer look; small fish can sometimes be seen in the shallows. The broad view from the hill shows how the corrie wraps around the water, while the shore puts you among its rocks and pools.

Look for the curved feature under the water that resembles a submerged road. It's called the Causeway, but it's thought to be a glacial moraine rather than a built structure—a small, odd detail that gives the loch a story beyond its setting.

For the strongest view of the whole loch, climb the extra slope to The Snub. From above, you can pick out the Causeway and look along Glen Clova toward Lochnagar. It's a further steep climb, but it makes the shape of the corrie and the loch much clearer. The longer loop around to Green Hill is about 9 km with 688 m of ascent and takes roughly 4–6 hours.

Mountain hares live in the moorland around Glen Clova, and the sparse woodland on the glen slopes is habitat for wildcats.