The Angus Glens

 

It is not a giant leap of the imagination to muse that Barrie's writing of Peter Pan was inspired to some extent by the magical scenery, folklore, legends and pastoral influences that were a part of his daily life. What is certain is that the story of Peter Pan will stimulate the imagination of children and adults alike for generations to come. Barrie's flights of fancy may have been imaginary, but like him you can see what he saw, hear what he heard and experience the Spirit of the Glens as he did. Who knows where this experience may take you…?

  

Like giant fingers, Glens, Isla, Prosen, Clova, Lethnot and Esk reach out from the lowlands (Straths) in to the hills and mountains that form part of the Southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. There will be opportunities to explore both lowlands and high mountains during the course of the Festival. A few of the Peaks over 3000ft (Munros) are on the programme and lower level walks are also featured.

  

Mountain top, coastal trail or country park, each has their own story to tell about Angus, no more so than in the natural history of these physically contrasting sites.  Golden eagle, peregrine falcon and merlin eke out their dramatic lives alongside capercaillie, grouse and ptarmigan.

 

Herds of majestic red deer roam across the heather moors and flighty roe deer forage in coniferous plantations further down in the valley. On the Coast the red sand stone cliffs are home to families of sea birds, basking shark and dolphins may even put in an appearance.

 

The geological features of the Glens were sculpted during the Ice Age thousands of years ago. Many of these features are reflected in place names such as Corrie Fee (Corrie of the Deer) and Hill of Strone (Hill of the Sharp Point) and can be seen on several of the walks.

 

Time and nature have left each Glen with its own unique character. Special places will be visited, for example, Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve with its rare alpine plant communities, visited by the amateur botanist and author of the Lord of the Rings, JR Tolkien, or Glen Doll where golden eagles soar in search of food and nesting material.

 

Each Glen is accessed via lowland plain where cattle and sheep are grazed. Each is characterised by meandering rivers and streams where Anglers fish for trout and salmon; by steep sided slopes dotted with plantations of pines harvested for their timber; by a patchwork of heather-clad moors managed by the estates for sporting purposes; and by rugged mountain tops where climbers and hill walkers can marvel at the panoramic scenery below.

---

You can now view photographs taken during the Festival in the new Angus Glens Walking Festival 2010 - Gallery and we would love to add your pictures to this. If you have photographs you would like to share with your fellow walkers, please email them to walkingfestival@angusahead.com and we will publish these on the site.