Minimise disturbance to livestock, especially during the lambing season (March–May). Dogs should be kept on a short lead at all times near sheep and cows. Never let a dog worry or attack sheep or cattle and be particularly careful when crossing ground where cows are accompanied by their calves. Cows are very protective of their young and there have been incidents when walkers with dogs have been seriously injured or killed by stampeding cattle, panicked by the sight of dogs. If this happens to you, it is better to let your dog off its lead as it will make its own escape without endangering you.
On open hillsides, moor and grassland, dogs should be kept on a short lead or under close control during the bird-nesting season (April–July). If a dog is prone to give chase, keep it under close control in areas where there may be wild animals like rabbits, hare and deer or birds such as pheasants and grouse.
Do not disturb wildlife or damage the environment by interfering with the habitats of birds and animals or picking plants or flowers.
Stick to paths and tracks where possible to avoid damaging ground vegetation and keep to the centre of the path to avoid further widening it or creating additional erosion. Avoid damaging walls and fences by climbing over them and wherever possible use stiles or gates. If a fence has to be crossed, do so at a post to avoid straining wires. Leave gates as you find them.
From time to time temporary access restrictions may be encountered. This could, for example, be a forest track closed due to tree felling, or a path shut because of bad erosion. Usually a diversion will be offered; if there is no diversion, consult the map and work out an alternative or curtail the route.
Glen Lethnot
Using this guide
The walks are divided into six sections, one for each of the main Angus glens and the sixth offering a selection of hill-path routes following established rights of way. While the majority of the walks are circular, the hill paths are linear routes offering scope for longer, multi-day treks.
The route descriptions all begin with an information box noting the start point for each walk, including a brief description and grid reference, plus advice on the availability of car parking. The distance, height gain and time required to complete the route is also listed. The time quoted is an estimate based on Naismith’s Rule and does not include rest or meal breaks.
Details of maps required to safely navigate the route are also given. The maps published in the guide are from the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger series. It is strongly recommended that rather than relying solely on these map extracts walkers carry the relevant OS 1:50,000 Landranger or OS 1:25,000 Explorer sheet (the latter offers a much greater level of detail). Gaelic spellings used in the route descriptions all follow those used on the Ordnance Survey maps for ease of correlation.
A summary of the route follows, offering a brief overview of what can be expected in terms of terrain and the level of walking and navigational experience required. The guide assumes a basic level of hillwalking experience, the knowledge to read and understand maps and relate this information to the physical landscape and the ability to navigate competently using map and compass.
Pausing for a rest by the Tolmouth with superb views over Glen Doll (Walk 28)
The majority of the routes follow established tracks and paths while features such as fence lines, walls, streams and forestry assist with route-finding. However, on some routes, sections cross open ground where there are few easily identifiable physical landmarks and where paths are either indistinct or non-existent. It is in such circumstances that the ability to navigate is essential.
Glen Isla
GLEN ISLA
A view of Badandun Hill from woodland above Craighead (Walk 2)
WALK 1
Monega Hill, Glas Maol, Creag Leacach and Monamenach
| Start/Finish | Auchavan, 10km north of Kirkton of Glenisla (NO 192 698) |
| Distance | 21km (13 miles) |
| Time | 7hr |
| Height gain | 1242m (4075ft) |
| Maps | OS 1:50,000 Landranger 43; OS 1:25,000 Explorer 387 |
For two mountains in such close proximity, Glas Maol and Creag Leacach could not contrast more. The summit of the former is an unremarkable dome while the latter’s angular backbone rips sharply through the skyline, showering a cascade of rock and scree down either side.
This is a long, demanding walk combining the two Munros with ascents of outlying Monega Hill, at the start of the route, and Monamenach, at the end. The walk initially follows the Monega Path, a right of way and former trade route between the glen and Braemar. A high, exposed and featureless plateau is crossed so accurate route-finding, particularly in poor visibility, is a must. That said, good tracks and paths exist for the majority of the walk and the terrain is generally excellent. Dogs should be kept under close control due to the presence of grazing sheep and ground-nesting birds.
Where the public road through Glen Isla ends at Auchavan (parking area), an estate track continues north to Tulchan Lodge and beyond. This enables swift progress to be made, the route following the River Isla upstream into an increasingly wild and lonely glen.
The walking is easy and at Tulchan Lodge, a remote and very private shooting lodge shrouded in woodland, remain on the track, ignoring a bridge spanning the river. The track continues north, skirting the eastern edge of forestry, to reach a sturdy green metal Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society sign for ‘The Monega Path to Braemar’.
It is tempting to strike out over the hillside from this point, following the line the sign suggests. However, to avoid a lumpy tramp over rough heather and across a stream gully, stay on the track a little longer, crossing the Glas Burn. Once over, bear left on a distinct path and the ascent of Monega Hill begins in earnest.
The climb is initially steep, but the gradient becomes more manageable as the path swings north, passing through a collapsed gate before taking a well-graded line up the long spine. As height is gained, pause occasionally to catch breath and enjoy excellent views south over Glen Isla and east to the mountains above Glen Doll.
Although the right of way bypasses the summit, a well-walked path, dotted with small cairns, leads straight to it. Here the hill ends abruptly, rough slopes plunging steeply into Caenlochan Glen below. Rarely visited, this lost valley of cliffs, crags and glacial moraine is prized for its mountain flora and alpine grasses. On a clear day, the bird’s-eye view over the glen from Monega Hill is breathtaking.
Caenlochan Glen, a remote valley where scarce plants thrive
Rejoin the Monega Path in the shallow col to the west of the summit and the way ambles over Little Glas Maol towards Glas Maol. It is not unusual to spot large herds of red deer roaming across the plateau here. Look out too for mountain hare.
THE
