Invermark – Circular Walk(s)

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O.S.Map no 44 (Ballater and Glen Clova).

N.B. the bus leaves Aberdeen at 8.00am.

Our walk takes us to one of the Angus glens – Glen Esk. Our bus will be parked all day at the small car park at the head of the glen at Invermark (NGR 447 804). Although this area throws up lots of beautiful walks – you may feel different. Three walks are suggested below, although Loch Lee and the Falls of Damff are the main walk. This is a circular walk, so if anyone fancies a shorter or different walk please advise your committee member in charge today, prior to you leaving the bus.

1. Loch Lee & Falls of Damff. From the bus, head westwards past the ruin of Invermark Castle and the old church along the north side of Loch Lee to NGR 395 804, where a track branches off left , crosses the Water of Lee at a footbridge and heads for the Falls of Unich before ascending on the west side of a steep valley. Eventually, the glen opens out at the Falls of Damff. Cross the bridge above the falls at NGR 385 790 – Do not continue along this valley to ford the river at NGR 379 784 – as this has been a problem on previous walks. From the east side of the footbridge, follow a beaten track uphill to merge with a path climbing over the shoulder of Cairn Lick. This path soon meets a wide track at NGR 393 781 which descends down the Shank of Inchgrundle, with magnificent views of Loch Lee. On reaching Inchgrundle farm, head north, along the west side of the loch towards Glenlee cottage and return eastwards to the Invermark car park by way of the north side of Loch Lee. Walking distance approx. 12miles.
2. Glen Effock. From the west end of Loch Lee, take the track southwards to reach Inchgrundle and continue on an ascending path alongside a burn to soon head SE’wards towards Burnt Hill (663m). From the summit, head eastwards to reach Cairn Caidloch (647m) and continue on a wide track into Glen Effock. This path merges with a track SW of Glen Effock farm (NGR 455 788). Cross the bridge and walk back to the car park at Invermark. Walking distance approx. 9miles.
3. Mount Keen. Head up Glen Mark to Queen’s Well (NGR 420 828). Continue past Glen Mark cottage and climb up the path alongside the Ladder Burn. At about NGR 405 852 this path splits. Take the right hand path and follow it to the summit of Mount Keen. Either retrace your steps or go east from the summit to wards Braid Cairn , Naked Hill and eventually Hill of Gairney (756m). Descend SE’wards to reach a wide track which is followed southwards over Hill of Saughs, Hill of Kirny and the west shoulder of Badalair (536m). This wide track leads back eventually S’wards to the carpark at Invermark. Walking distance approx. 12 miles or 13.5 miles returning via Hill of Gairney.

Bus departs at 4.30pm.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the police are contacted.

Relevant telephone number for the police is 999.

Committee member in charge today is Alan Wallace