11 miles/18 kms (Strenuous)

by Colin Hogarth (taken from www.walkingscotland.com)

This is an 11 mile trek over a little-walked upland route riding the border between Glen Clova and Glen Prosen in Angus.

The hamlet of Dykehead is where the roads from Glen Prosen and Glen Clova converge. A bundle of cottages clusters round the village pub, for many years the source of sustenance for the scattered outlying farms and crofts. In recent years efforts to re-populate the area have seen a small development of homes added to the community. The main road continues north into Clova, but we break off and head west through the pass between Tulloch Hill and Mile Hill. There are two start points for this walk. The first is a track end about half a mile from Dykehead, just before the road passes a tiny lochan. Alternatively drive on for half a mile and park in a small layby just after the road turns sharp right.

The two tracks rise through a forest of tall Scots Pine trees before joining for the final short pull up to the Airlie Memorial Tower. After years of viewing this prominent monument both from the road and from surrounding peaks, I felt the time had come to view it close up and there lies the inspiration for this walk.

It didn't disappoint. As you approach, picture yourself pulling up the driveway to a country mansion house. Tantilising glimpses can be snatched through the trees but it's only when you emerge from the forest that you get a good clear view of the tower, solid blocks of stone rising up to a castellated platform and a small tower-let on one corner. A set of steps bordered by shrubbery lead to the solid metal front door. Unfortunately this is locked to keep the inquisitive out, which is a shame as the view from the top would doubtless be fantastic. You have to settle instead for a look at the well preserved carvings set into the masonry on both the front and rear elevations. The monument was erected in memory of the 10th Earl of Airlie who was killed in action in the Boer War.

With the tower finally discovered, it's time to get down to the serious job of walking. Head north over open hillside, a good track leading to a high gate and ladder stile a short way on. The forestry over the next stretch has been recently felled, offering the walker uninterrupted views to bulky Cat Law on the other side of Glen Prosen on the left, and Glen Clova down to the right.

The way descends a little from the summit of Tulloch Hill before rising up to pass through an opening in a drystane dyke. You enter the trees here and the path skirts left below another low top before gently dropping into the wide dip ahead of The Goal, quite an apt name for a hill you're setting out to reach the top of. There are trees left and right here, but the path strikes off (pardon the football pun) through a wide heather-carpeted clearing. The way stays close to the plantation on the left rising gradually over the well graded slope before the summit is netted.

The path follows a fence north from here over a wide, open stretch of moorland, curving left to reach a point where various fences converge. The track bears left. Leave it behind, go through a wooden gate and let the line of a post and wire fence riding the wide flank ahead guide you over the heather to another track a short distance on.

Turn right and the route descends into the col before climbing up to stony Craigs of Lethnot. The way skirts to the right below the summit, following the fence on towards the barren top of Hill of Counternach.

Throughout the walk you remain well placed to snatch views into both Clova and Prosen. Cat Law remains the dominant feature to the south west while Ben Tirran sits almost directly north. The craggy bowl of

Is this your organisation, facility or event? If so register with us to update or add to these details

You may also be interested in

Carnoustie Cycle Routes

Glen Clova to Braemar

Forfar Path Network - Round the Loch

Places to Stay Nearby

Isla View

Dalhousie estate holiday cottages

Mill of Blackhall