Mayar and Driesh Circuit

Mayar and Driesh Circuit is a 9.6-mile loop from Glen Doll car park over two Munros, climbing through Corrie Fee and returning by Kilbo. The stored line follows the complete loop, including the short return from Driesh to the descent junction. Published route figures range from about 9 to 9.5 miles; this mapped line measures about 9.6. Allow around six hours and roughly 835 metres of ascent. The payoff is a striking glacial bowl, a waterfall and two broad, open summits.

This is a long mountain day rather than a stroll to the waterfall. The lower approach follows tracks and woodland paths; the upper half crosses rough, sometimes boggy open ground where the line becomes less obvious. If you only want Corrie Fee, its shorter reserve path makes a separate outing without either summit.

From the car park, follow the Corrie Fee signs past Acharn, cross the White Water and climb through the forest. A viewpoint beyond the deer fence opens onto Corrie Fee’s steep headwall and stream. The corrie is a glacial amphitheatre, with uneven mounds left by retreating ice. Its path climbs steeply beside the waterfall, staying to its left, then reaches open ground above the bowl. This is the circuit’s signature view; the viewpoint and the higher path both give a strong angle back into the corrie.

Above the headwall, follow the hill path across open moorland to Mayar’s small summit cairn at 928 metres. Continue east across the plateau toward Driesh; fenceposts help indicate the line but do not turn this into a continuously waymarked trail. Expect rough ground and patches of bog. Mayar’s summit looks over the rolling Mounth uplands, with a wide, quiet horizon rather than a single dramatic drop.

The traverse descends to the bealach between Corrie Kilbo and Black Skellies, then climbs Driesh’s steeper initial slope to its domed top at 946 metres. A trig point and large shelter cairn mark the summit. Views extend toward the Firth of Tay on a clear day, though the broad plateau keeps the outlook open in every direction. To make the circuit’s usual descent, retrace to the bealach instead of taking the steep, poorly defined line down the NNE Scorrie ridge shown on some maps.

From the bealach, the route follows the path along the Shank of Drumfollow, crosses the slope to a deer-fence gate and descends through forest. Burn of Kilbo is crossed on stepping stones; forest tracks and a bridge then lead back to the approach track and car park. This return closes the loop and includes several different surfaces after the exposed plateau.

The reserve protects alpine plants adapted to cliffs and gullies, including alpine blue-sow-thistle and mountain saxifrages, as well as globeflower, wild angelica and melancholy thistle. A natural stand of montane willow scrub grows here, and golden eagles or peregrines may be seen overhead. Keep dogs under proper control and stay on the path around fragile plants. Under Scotland’s responsible-access rules, dogs are allowed when controlled appropriately.

Glen Doll car park at the head of Glen Clova is the start; follow the signed Corrie Fee approach rather than the earlier branch for Jock’s Road toward Braemar. Parking is charged, and toilets and a ranger information post are at the car park. No food outlet or drinking-water point is verified along the route, so bring what you need for the full day.