Glen Doll - Jock's Road to Davy's Bourach

Mike Taylor

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Jock's Road is a well-known high-level route across The Mounth, linking Glen Clova to Braemar via Glen Doll and Glen Callater. It is named after Jock Winter, a local shepherd who in 1887 along with the Scottish Rights of Way Society successfully challenged the landowner and established the route as a Right of Way. The complete route from Glen Doll to Auchallater Farm is 20km and should only be tackled by experienced and properly equipped walkers; however, this walk ventures only one-third of the way along the route as far as the shelter (Davy's Bourach) below Cairn Lunkard. Beyond the shelter, the path over the plateau to Glen Callater is very exposed and reaches a high point of 920 metres on Crow Craigies before descending over the watershed to Glen Callater. In 2006 the path in the upper reaches of Glen Doll was repaired, making the walk to Davy's Bourach quite accessible to reasonably fit walkers.

The walk begins at the car park in Glen Doll and for the first 3.5km follows forest roads and paths as it climbs gradually into Glen Doll. As you leave the forest the view changes abruptly and the rugged upper reaches of the glen rise before you. After 400 metres the climb begins, but the steeper sections are now stone staircases, making the ascent quite straightforward. After climbing for 1.5km the path levels off below Cairn Lunkard and Davy's Bourach is a few metres ahead. Close to the shelter is a small hilllock from where you have superb views all the way back down the glen.

The return route retraces the outward route as far as the forest, but then crosses the White Water by a new path and footbridge opened in 2005 and follows flat woodland trails along the west bank of the river to return to the car park. Back at the car park you can relax at the picnic area and cool your feet in the South Esk. Try feeding the birds; the chaffinches here will eat from your hand.

Scotland - Northeast Scotland - Angus - Angus Glens

Features

Great Views, Mountains, River, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland
2/28/2016 - Mike Taylor

Floods on 30th Dec 2015 damaged a footbridge between Waymarks 11 and 12, the woodland path is temporarily closed. At Waymark 11 continue left on the forest road and cross the bridge to reach Waymark 04 in 300 metres. From here continue on the forest road retracing the outward route back to the car park.