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One of three main Glens in the Braes
of Angus in the southern Grampians, Glen Prosen lies in
the valley of the Prosen Water. It stretches into the
Grampian mountains out towards Lochnagar and is overlooked
by the peaks of Mayar and Driesh. The glen is fairly
secluded; there are no roads through it, and it is home to
a wide variety of animal, bird and plant life. Glenprosen
Village lies at the junction of the Burn of Inchmill and
Prosen Water, 10miles (16 km) north of Kirriemuir.
The Airlie Monument, a copy of one
of the towers of Airlie Castle erected to the memory of
David Ogilvy, 11th Earl of Airlie who was killed in the
Boer War, overlooks the southern gateway to the glen
from Tulloch Hill.
Leave the parking area and turn
right towards Balnaboth and right again some 100 yards
(160m) farther on, just before the post box and
telephone kiosk. Follow the single track tarmac road
quite steeply uphill until a short distance from the
house it accesses, then bear right onto a rough hill
road that continues – passing to the left of Glentairie
cottage then parallel to a fence line - for some 2 miles
(3.5km) to a point at Grid Ref NO325695 where it narrows
to a single track. There are some wet sections to
negotiate before beginning the short but steep and
trackless climb up to Red Cairn. It is better to cross
to the fence and follow the narrow path beside it until
on the summit.
A short distance on, in the midst
of an area of wet black peat, a fence junction is
reached. Cross carefully over so as not to cause any
damage then, with the fence to the left, head north west
then west on a narrow and at times intermittent track up
towards the cairned summit of Cairn of Barns (2,136 feet
/ 651m). Cross the fence to reach the cairn and enjoy
the magnificent panorama then, with the fence now to the
right, continue steeply downhill at first for 550 yards
(500m) to the wet and boggy saddle at 1,818 feet (554m)
then uphill once more, northwest, towards Cairn Inks.
Before reaching the summit there is another fence
junction at Grid Ref NO309720. Turn sharp left here onto
a vehicle track and descend towards the northeast corner
of the expanse of Glenclova Forest.
From here the route is quite
straightforward as it follows alongside the forest
boundary fence over Mount Bouie to Cairn Shiel. In the
dip between these two tops a crossing track is reached,
leading through a gate out of the forest and passing to
the left. From here the track being followed is less
well used and becoming overgrown with heather, but still
fairly obvious. Stay close to the fence and climb the
gentle slope rising over Cairn Shiel and through a gate
to reach the corner of the forest at Craigiemeg Hill
some 930 yards (850m) farther on. Take time to look back
from here and overview the route that has been walked
before crossing the lower fence, turning right and
continuing southwest, downhill, following the high fence
and the tree line until reaching a rough road. Turn left
here and pass above Craigiemeg cottage.
Stay on this road as it continues
through the Balnaboth estate, passing the small steading
of Tombeth to its left, downhill and right, then across
the bridge over the Burn of Glenlogie. Continue past the
estate buildings always taking the left-hand, northern,
tracks.
Take some time out to explore the
ruins of the old chapel hidden in the trees on the
right-hand side of the road at Grid Ref NO319668,
affording due respect to this final resting place of the
Ogilvy MacLeans. The earliest of the headstones is dated
1805 and the most recent 2001. In early summer the
rhododendrons lining the track are spectacular.
Just over ˝ a mile (approx. 1km)
from here a fork in the track is reached. Follow the lower
right-hand fork that leads downhill past the attractive
gate lodge cottage at Balnaboth into Glenprosen village.
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WALK FACTS
Distance: 10 miles/16 km
Maps: OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheet 44 or OS Explorer
1:25,000 Sheet 388
Start/parking: The parking
area beside the Glens and Kirriemuir Old Parish Church
in Glenprosen Village: Grid Ref NO327657 has space for
several cars. Take care not to obstruct access to the
church on Sunday service days - 1st and 3rd Sundays of
the month (correct in July 2004).
Time: Allow 5 or 6 hours
with some additional time for stops
Grading: An open moor and
hill walk mostly on good vehicle or hill tracks. There is
no shelter to be had when out on this walk therefore care
must be taken to ensure that proper footwear and clothing
is worn. Recommended for most abilities of hillwalkers.
Sheep and cattle grazing so dogs must be kept on a lead.
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