4-5 April 2009

First, a bit of history: In June 2000 the MMC weekend meet destination was Glen Clova. However by the Wednesday prior to the weekend there were no takers, so the new weekend meet secretary changed the venue to Skye.

Now in April 2009, Dave’s last weekend meet as organiser was again Glen Clova, but this time a total of nine turned out and in spite of being below the average monthly turnout, it was a vast improvement on his first trip!

Graeme Bartlett had Friday off, so he walked in from Glenshee to Glen Clova via the summits of Glas Maol and Monega Hill, across Glen Isla, up over Finalty Hill, Mayar, Driesh, The Hill of Stone and Cairn Inks then down to the bunk house. Despite some bitterly cold winds and hazy sunshine, he caught the first sunshine of the year in the company of numerous snow hares.

Saturday morning’s weather was dreich, but with an improvement forecast, all were up for it.

Amanda Tomison and George Cull set off from the Glen Doll Lodge car park and enjoyed a very peaceful and relatively atmospheric journey with nature. They experienced the shifting mist-capped mountains with occasional pockets of snow, the drizzle interspersed with glimpses of majestic waterfalls, the caves, a dead sheep and the lively birdlife. They walked an equal pace and enjoyed a laugh and a giggle together from Driesh and Mayar and back to the car. They finished off their day by going to Forfar, George’s birthplace for a bridie.

For Daniel Moysey and Illona Morrice, plan “A” was to go climbing, but the weather forced plan “B”. They headed up Driesh via the Scourie ridge, which although steep allowed a quick ascent. A compass bearing was needed to make the top, were they met up with George and Amanda. They teamed up for Mayar before descending below the cloud on the way to the car park and got their first view of the Glen. Back at the bunkhouse with time a plenty, they visited Kirriemuir but failed to locate the signposted camera obscura.

Dave and Oliver Galloway, Spence Julian and Chrissy Mckay with Patrick the collie dog, also set off from the Lodge car park. Making their way via the Kilbo path to the bealach above Shank of Drumfollow, they turned east for Driesh, following a faint track to the summit. The visibility was 100m from just below the bealach, setting the tone for the day.

Going west to Mayar they still had a path to guide them, but further on the path disappeared and a Nav Ex ensued. Walking northwesterly for five and a half kilometres over a green grassy ridge required GPS reconciliation half way to Tom Buidhe. Spence split off and went on ahead to complete the horseshoe, while Dave, Ollie, Chrissy and Patrick came down from Tom Buidhe to Jock’s road in the rain and enjoyed shelter in Davy Bouraghs Bothy located below Cairn Lunkard. This was built in memory of the five members of The University Hiking Club of Glascow who died near there in 1959.

Spence got a break when he left Tom Buidhe and the clag lifted and he could actually see Broad Cairn. However, his luck was shortlived as the drizzle turned to snow and the wind got up from Tolmont over Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn. Loch Muick appeared like an old friend as he reached the sheep hut beside the path going down the north end of Glen Clova and home.

Sunday dawned with more low cloud and drizzle, but cleared up as the morning progressed. Oliver decided that as he had won £25 on the Hotel Grand National Sweepie the day before, he would retire to Aberdeenand  watch the footie down the pub. George and Amanda indulged in a Full Scottish before their journey home.

Dave and Chrissy pre-positioned a car three kilometres down the road before they and Spence set off up the Snub clockwise around Loch Brandy to Green Hill. From there they traversed across the rear of Loch Wharral to Ben Tirran. They enjoyed clear skies but as they made their final summit, the wind got up and it was biting. Down in the Glen by the Adielinn Plantation it was perfect sunshine.

Graeme Set off from the Bunkhouse for Jocks road, carrying on over Tom Buidhe, over Cairn of Clairse and Glas Moal and back to his car.

Dave Galloway

Note: Dave has now handed over his duties as Weekend Meets Organiser to Dan Moysey, who can be contacted by email here. Many thanks to Dave for all his hard work over the last couple of years.

For more photos from the Glen Clova meet, click here