Footprints Across Scotland
Why not make a few of your own!
12th June 2010
Familiar hills of Driesh and Mayar by an unfamiliar route up through Glen Prosen.
I have been up Driesh and Mayar many times but always from Glen Doll and up through Corrie Fee. As an alternative I thought I would approach from Glen Prosen which is a bit further south. After parking a little east of the bridge over Prosen water I began the walk passing Prosen Lodge and onto the farm track leading up the Glen. The first job of the day was to help an elderly couple as they tried to disentangle a lamb trapped in some temporary fencing. After doing our good deed for the day we continued on our way; they were heading up Driesh, a regular walk by all accounts being completed around 100 times. As they turned uphill I bade them farewell and continued along the glen toward the white cottage at Old Craig.
Old Craig
From around the back of the cottage I noticed a grassy track leading up on to the hills on the south side of the glen. I changed my route plan and headed across a field toward the path running up and onto The High Tree. After fording Prosen water grassy slopes lead gradually onto the broad ridge line of the hill. The track continued taking me a little west before cutting back on my intended line to the north west. I turned around trying to locate a Curlew after hearing its furtive calls to be greeted by the sight of a Golden Eagle. The Eagle circled a few times with the curlew in close attendance before heading off into the distance.
Golden Eagle
Narrower pathways burnt out of the heather allowed me to progress in the gathering sunshine. A Roe deer was unaware of my approach from down wind but quickly put a little distance between us before stopping to recheck my position. Shortly after the Golden Eagle reappeared as it swept low across the hillside again accompanied by cries of Curlew but this time also harassed by a raven. The eagles return allowed me to savour the view at closer quarters and over a period of a good few minutes. There appeared to be blue tags on the edge of the wings and what looked like a radio antenna trailing from one.
Mayar & Driesh from Craigie Thieves
As I worked my way along to Craigie Thieves my pathway was interrupted by a deer fence so I moved along its edge tracing animal tracks trough the heather. The ridge line dropped off steeply down to the bealach at Glack of Balquhadar before climbing back up onto Broom hill.
South Craig & Mayar from col below Broom Hill
A bulldozed track now led over to Bawhelps before I contoured round above the crags of South Craig and the Mayar Burn. Keeping to the high ground I was soon around and onto the upper grassy slopes of Mayar.
Glen Doll from Mayar
I only stopped briefly before starting east across toward Driesh before detouring a short way along the Shank of Drumfollow for a view into Corrie Fee.
Corrie Fee from Shank of Drumfollow
The Shank also gave a fine views into the Corrie below Driesh and its rocky western face.
Driesh from Shank of Drumfollow
A short steep climb along the top of the cliffs and I was soon onto the rounded summit of Driesh. It was now time for a leisurely lunch before exploring the southern slopes gaining sighting of Ptarmigan and many Mountain Hares.
Mountain Hare
Ptarmigan
A path develops along the Shank of Driesh leading down to Lick; a little further down I branched off along another path running below the west edge of Glenclova forest. Back down on the farm track it was now just a short walk past Runtaleave and back to the van.
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