Glen Prosen's western hills

By Andy Crawford

Although the Angus hills and glens of Clova and Prosen are possibly the best known and frequented, many walkers know little of the area around Glen Uig and Glen Quharity, to the south of Glen Prosen. Surrounding these two glens is a vast expanse of easy, broad, ridge walking on a scale that can be quite amazing when given the opportunity to look back and assess one's progress.

Leave the parking area and follow the single track, surfaced road sign-posted to Wester Lednathie and Glen Uig to Wester Lednathie farm.

In the dip below the farmhouse there is a gate on the left. Pass through this and follow the wide track that sweeps gently uphill and right to a wall. With the wall on your right, continue uphill through Lerg Plantation to a gate at its upper end. A track climbing over open moor leads from here up to a gate at a junction of paths in an area known as Monthrey. Higher, and to the left of here, is the summit of Cat Law but that is one for another day.

Pass through the gate and turn right, then descend north by north-west initially before rising over Cormaud. Bear west then south-west down the Shank of Glendye to a path junction in lower Glen Quharity (at GR: 287263). From here there are two options.

The first option: Turn left and walk south for 400m, through a ford and up to a gate. Do not go through the gate but turn sharp right following the fence line uphill past a stand of conifer trees. This track continues north-north-east over Cairn Corse to the cairned summit of Corwharn on open moor where arctic hares are easily spotted, especially when wearing their white winter coats. The views in every direction from the precarious looking cairn stack are spectacular on a clear day. This option will add around half a mile/800m to the overall distance.

The second option: Turn right and carry on through tranquil Glen Quharity, the route rising gently to a point where a track leads uphill off to the left (at GR: 295642), a short distance before reaching a gate and fence. The track appears to be little more than a wide firebreak in the heather, but there is a path on the left side that can be followed most of the way up as the route heads west-north-west then north-east onto Corwharn, a Graham peak that rises to a height of 2,004 feet (611m). It is just one of the many peaks that separate Glen Prosen from Glen Isla.

From here follow the intermittent path that runs alongside the line of the fence to the north-east for a short way to where it joins another fence beside a small gate (at GR 290653). Turn right (south-east), still following the fence line for 800m, then head east-north-east and north-east to the summit of Hill of Adenaich. This part of the route does not boast the luxury of a good path although one does appear from time to time just a few paces to the right of the fence.

Continue east then south-east, crossing to the opposite side of the fence line to gain the advantage of easy walking on a good track leading to Finlet. As this descends, it breaks left, close to a small gate at a junction of the fence. Pass through this gate and join another track a few paces ahead. This leads straight on, over Broom Hill. As you walk along this section, it is worthwhile crossing to the right hand side of the fence to join another good track. After negotiating a final gate, the way skirts around a newly fenced off area of woodland before finally descending to join a surfaced road (at GR: 339635). Turn right and follow the road downhill to the finish.

WALK FACTS

Distance 11 miles/17.7km.
Map OS Landranger sheet 44; OS Explorer sheet 388.
Start/parking Leave Kirriemuir on the unclassified road signposted Pearsie and Lednathie. Park eight miles on at Easter Lednathie Farm, grid ref N0 340631. Seek permission to park before leaving cars here.
Grading An open moor and hill walk mostly on good tracks with some road walking. There is no shelter to be had when out on this route therefore care must be taken to ensure that proper footwear and clothing is worn. This is an easy summer route but in winter weather or during low cloud, some navigational skill may be required due to the many paths which criss-cross the hill. This is commercial breeding land for grouse and pheasant and where sheep and cattle graze so dogs must be kept on a lead. Mountain bikes are not permitted.