|
Although the Angus glens of Clova and Prosen are possibly
the best known, Glen Uig and Glen Quharity – nestling in
the hills to the south of Glen Prosen – make for a
delightfully unique walking experience.
The view north from Kirriemuir is dominated by a shapely
hill which, when you also take in its smaller outlying
peak, looks like a curled up feline. This slumbering form
is aptly called Cat Law.
Park at Wester
Lednathie, about 1 mile/1.5 km to the west of Easter
Lednathie on the unclassified road. The farmer here is
usually quite amenable to walkers leaving their car(s)
within the confines of the farm if they seek his
permission.
Just
before leaving the farm pass through the gate on the left
and follow the wide track as it curves to the right,
southwestwards, up a gentle rise alongside a dry-stone
wall before passing through a stand of trees with a high
gate at its highest point then out onto the open moorland
where scores of
arctic hares are easily spotted, especially when wearing
their white winter coats.
Approximately 1 mile/1.5 km into the walk, at Grid Ref
NO311620, a cross-track is reached beside a gate with a
low boundary stone beside it. Take the left hand path and
follow the line of the fence up to the flat summit of Cat
Law (2,201 ft/671m). Pass through a gate at the junction
of fences – note another boundary stone beside it - to
reach the
triangulation pillar and the crude stone shelters that are
a feature of this hill top and provide the ideal place to
settle down for a break.
From here, follow the wide path that leads off to the
southwest descending to Knowehead of Auldallan. Clear the
field edge onto the tarmac road and turn right,
northwestwards, for a short distance to where two derelict
gatehouses mark the driveway leading to Balintore Castle.
Balintore Castle, a Grade A listed castle built in the mid
19th century, is described by the Scottish
Civic Trust as one of the finest examples of Scottish
Baronial-style Architecture and of national importance -
incorporating crow-stepped gables, early French
Renaissance scrolled dormer-heads, fish-scale slated
roofs, turrets, gargoyles and an elaborate Jacobean door
piece. Sadly, the building, now owned by an absentee
Taiwanese millionaire since 1995, is slowly
disintegrating. Conservationists have urged that it be
protected and repaired before being lost to the nation.
The sandstone used to build the castle was brought from
Stirlingshire, shipped around the Fife coast and up the
River Tay. The dressed blocks were then loaded onto carts
for the tortuous overland journey to the rolling Angus
hinterland. It is said that the year’s building process
almost killed off the county’s stock of draught horses!
Balintore was completed by 1860, continued in use
throughout the early part of the 20th century
when a turbine was installed to provide electricity, until
the early 1960’s when the rot set in and repair work was
abandoned.
From the castle, continue down the steep road, left across
the bridge, then right onto the narrow road leading to
Longdrum farm following alongside the Quharity burn most
of the way. From the farm, the road becomes a wide farm
track giving access to the grouse moors of Lednathie
Estate. Low hills, just over 500m, line either side of the
path as it rises gently northeastwards through peaceful
Glen Quharity until turning almost 90° right, at the
watershed, then descends into the narrower Glen Uig back
to the starting place
|
WALK FACTS
Distance:
11
miles/17.5 km
Map:
OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 44 (also 53 and 54)
Start/parking:
Wester Lednathie farm - with permission from the farmer
Grading:
A fairly stiff initial climb on good farm and hill tracks,
flattening out on the final 100m or so to the summit of
Cat Law. Some quiet road walking. An easy summer route but
in winter weather or low cloud, some navigational skill
may be required due to the many paths which crisscross 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.
|
