Mayar and Driesh are a pair of Angus Glens Munros that offer something different from the Central Highland peaks — a quieter, more easterly experience with well-maintained paths and a beautiful glen approach through Glen Clova. These are accessible Munros with no scrambling and no technical terrain, making them a good option for building fitness or for beginners looking for their next step after a first summit.
We headed to Glen Clova in November, three months since our last mountain outing, looking for a pair that wouldn’t be too demanding but would let us stretch our legs and test our stamina. Donna found Mayar and Driesh and they proved to be exactly what we needed.
Route Overview
- Mayar — Munro — Plateau Height — 928m
- Driesh — Munro — Bramble / Thorn — 947m
- Total distance: 16.25km (circular)
- Total ascent: 881m
- Moving time: ~5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate — well-maintained paths, no scrambling, manageable gradients
| Munro Name | Pronunciation | Translation | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayar | May-er | Plateau Height | 928m |
| Driesh | Dreesh | Bramble / Thorn | 947m |
The route starts from Glen Doll car park at the end of Glen Clova. A well-maintained path climbs to Mayar, traverses to Driesh, and returns via a different line through the forest.
Getting There and Parking
Glen Doll car park at the end of Glen Clova (DD8 4RD). Managed by Forestry & Land Scotland — charges apply. Toilets on site. The approach road through Glen Clova is single-track and narrow, but the scenery makes up for the careful driving.
From Edinburgh, allow about 90 minutes. From Glasgow, closer to 2.5 hours. From Dundee, about an hour.
We drove up the night before and camped in a car park a few miles from the start — the lack of light pollution gave us an opportunity for some astrophotography.
Astrophotography from the overnight camp spot near Glen Clova
The drive through Glen Clova in the morning was beautiful — single-track roads, ancient woodland, and hundreds of pheasants that seemed to own the place.
Beautiful morning light on the trees along the Glen Clova road
The Path — Glen Doll to Mayar
The trail up is surprisingly well maintained, and this remains true for the vast majority of the route. This alone makes Mayar and Driesh a fantastic pair for beginners — there are no sketchier sections that test your climbing ability. The only real challenge is fitness.
The path climbing through Glen Doll
Looking down from the ridge above Glen Clova
Mayar Summit — 928m and Driesh Summit — 947m
The tops of both mountains are broad and featureless — we were clagged in and the summits offered limited views. We had our sandwiches on Mayar, sheltering from the bitingly cold wind, then made our way across to Driesh. Some snow flurries greeted us, but nothing substantial enough to test our winter skills.
On a clear day, the views from both summits look out across the Angus Glens and towards the eastern Cairngorms. In clag, the plateau walking between the two peaks demands attention to navigation — a compass or GPS is essential.
The Descent
Misty views emerging as we descended below the clag
Once we dropped out of the clag, we were treated to exceptional views on the straightforward hike back to the car park. The path through the forest on the return is well-graded and easy on the knees.
The gravel road through the forest back to Glen Doll
Lewis had made friends along the way and was exhausted by the time we reached the van — ready to curl up and sleep the whole drive home.
When to Climb
Summer (May–September) is ideal — the paths are at their driest and Glen Clova is at its most beautiful. Autumn brings golden colours to the glen and atmospheric mist on the plateaus. Winter is doable and the snow can add character to otherwise featureless summits. The broad plateaus require good navigation in whiteout. Spring can be boggy on the lower sections.
Combine With
The Angus Glens area has several other Munros nearby, including Tom Buidhe and Tolmount which can be reached from a similar starting point. The eastern location makes these a good pairing with a trip to the Cairngorms or the Perthshire peaks.
Tips for This Route
- The paths are excellent. This is one of the best-maintained Munro routes we’ve done — great for beginners.
- The summits are featureless in clag. Bring a compass and GPS for the plateau sections between the two peaks.
- Glen Clova is worth the drive. The approach through the glen is beautiful — don’t treat it as dead miles.
- Camp the night before. If you’re coming from the west, staying overnight near Glen Clova makes for an early start without the long drive in the morning.
- Watch the daylight in autumn/winter. The glen is narrow and loses light early. Plan your timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mayar and Driesh good for beginners? Excellent. The well-maintained paths, no scrambling, and manageable gradients make these a great second or third Munro after Ben Chonzie or Ben Lomond. The distance (16km) is the main challenge.
How long do Mayar and Driesh take? Allow 5–7 hours round trip. We did it in about 6 hours including stops.
Where do you park? Glen Doll car park at the end of Glen Clova (DD8 4RD). Charges apply. Toilets on site.
Are these suitable for dogs? Yes — the well-maintained paths and gentle terrain suit most dogs. Keep dogs on a lead in the forest near Glen Doll and be aware of wildlife (grouse and deer) on the upper sections.
