My friend Ben and I were fortunate with the weather for a lovely horseshoe walk of the Corbett, Ben Tirran, at Glen Clova, near Kirriemuir, in the region of Angus. The mountain summit, which is actually called The Goet, reaches to almost Munro height.
It is possible to walk a shorter return route from 3km east of Glen Clova Hotel at near Adielinn Cottage.
However, I recommend you wait for fine weather because there is a beautiful circular route that provides great views of the surrounding countryside and climbs above two lochs, Wharral and Brandy.
Ben and I decided to walk the route anti-clockwise. We also took advantage of two vehicles to avoid a 3km hike back along a tarmac road at the end of the walk.
Ben Tirran: Anti-clockwise circuit
There is limited parking on the verge some 3klm east of the Glen Clova Hotel, just before a patch of woodland and Adielinn Cottage. Leaving one vehicle at a car park near Glen Clova Hotel, we parked the other carefully at the walk start.
The route starts to the west of the woodland and we followed trod through vegetation and some boggy patches to reach a wide gravel track. (Looking backwards it seemed likely we could have started the route on this track further east on the road at Wheen.)
The gravel track winds its way uphill at a fairly easy-going walking gradient. You need to take care to keep an eye on the right directions at various track junctions.
Looking up to the north-east, we could see the aim of the first part of the circuit. Ben Tirran is an obvious mound, although it’s not until you are at higher elevation that you can spot the true top, the Goet.
We left the wide track behind some 600m short of the southern shore of Loch Wharral and joined a fainter path that heads up to The Goet. The ground cover was a mix of heather and moss. This is the steepest part of the walking circuit and we had a few stops to catch our breath and enjoy the expansive views.
The landscape in Angus is of undulating hills and mountains and while not as dramatic as other places in Scotland, it is still very beautiful.
Mainly moss-covered at higher altitude on Ben Tirran, we found the trod came and went but because of the good weather, the trig and stone shelter that marks the highest point at 896m was obvious. In poorer conditions, you’ll need to use a map and compass because there are few defining features.
Continuing the circuit above two lochs
From the Goet, Ben and I walked north-west towards White Hill at 855m and then on to another higher point at 857m before reaching Green Hill at 870m. There is very little to challenge the experienced walker in terms of fitness but in poor weather, you will need good map reading skills.
The route is high above Loch Wharral and Loch Brandy, both located in steep-sided corries. Widespread views also take in Mount Keen (I remember pushing my bike to the summit many years ago), the most easterly Munro. We were sure we could also spot Mount Battock, the most easterly Corbett and our target for the next day.
From Green Hill, a path heads SSW and descends to the eastern side of the corrie of Loch Brandy. The views of the loch were suddenly breath-taking and we stopped to take a photo.
Sticking with the path, we circuited westerly and, at the southern shore of Loch Brandy, we stopped to take more photos while looking up at high crags. There are also good views of the Munros, Mayar and Driesh.
The final part of the walk took us south to the back of Glen Clova Hotel. Many people enjoy a shorter walk from the hotel to Loch brandy and back again.
Route details: Ben Tirran
Distance: 12km (with two vehicles); 15km with one vehicle
Elevation gain: 798m
Corbetts bagged: 116