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1 2 3 bog, lochs and scrub, it was one of the few safe crossing points for travellers heading north on the King’s Highway to Aberdeen. The town, which sits below Balmashanner Hill, has been a Royal Burgh since the 12th century, but only really flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries when the wetlands were drained and agriculture developed. Many visitors are drawn to the area by nearby Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late Queen Mother and, according to legend, ’s most haunted castle Forfar is the administrative hub of the with a plethora of ghouls and ghosts. county and gateway to the Angus Glens. Those heading for Glen Clova, Glen Isla A long-established market town with its and Glen Prosen will find Forfar a good roots firmly entwined in farming and starting point with winding country roads weaving, its close proximity to the busy leading from the town to all three. Clova is A90 makes for easy access. Indeed, Forfar the most popular of the Angus glens, has long been an important staging post boasting a rich mix of forest, riverside and and centuries ago, when the surrounding hill walks. More experienced walkers will lands of Strathmore were a barren mire of find a clutch of to tackle. 26 Airlie Monument Forfar, Glamis and Glen Clova 1 Forfar Loch 28 4 Loch Brandy 34 A lochside circuit with plenty of birds Hike up to a pair of craggy corrie lochs and wildlife to spot, plus a jutting and enjoy an elevated trek over an airy peninsula with links to a Scottish king plateau where red deer roam

2 Balmashanner Hill 30 5 White Water and Jock’s Road 36 Climb ‘Bummie’ to an elegant war Follow a cascading river upstream into memorial tower overlooking Forfar the heart of a wild and lonely glen

3 Ghosts of Glamis Castle 32 6 and the River South Esk 38 Explore the myths and legends of this Enjoy a short but rewarding riverside ostentatious stronghold on a walk walk, with the opportunity to spot through the grounds and gardens plenty of wildlife along the way

7 Driesh by the Kilbo Path 40 Climb a via an ancient right of way and enjoy stunning panoramas from the summit

8 Airlie Monument and The Goal 42 Embark upon an elevated ridge walk above Glen Clova and Glen Prosen and visit a landmark tower along the way

27 X2 FORFAR, GLAMIS AND GLEN CLOVA

Balmashanner Hill Distance 3.75km Time 2 hours A short distance on, the road curves left Terrain pavements and paths with some and runs fairly straight before curving left steep climbs Map OS Explorer 389 again. At this point, go right through a Access Forfar is well served by buses from break in a high stone wall and a short and other major towns in Angus track leads into Reid Park, a large grassy recreational area complete with Balmashanner Hill, known locally as bandstand. Bear left on a path that leads ‘Bummie’, dominates the skyline above to a statue of former Forfar provost Peter Forfar. On the top, a tall sandstone tower Reid, after whom the park is named. stands as a proud memorial to the local Continue straight on and at the next men who died during the First World War. fork, bear left, following a path up Nearby, a viewpoint indicator picks out the through rhododendron bushes. Climb many points of interest that can be seen past an upper terrace with a cast iron from this elevated spot. ornamental fountain and, at the top of The walk starts at St James Road car the park, bear right, following the path to park in Forfar, where parking is free. Turn a gap in the wall and a sign for left along St James Road to its junction Balmashanner Hill. with Lour Road. Go left and follow Lour On the other side of the gap in the wall, Road, a quiet residential street. Head up the path continues along the top of a field past Kirkriggs, on the right, and then turn of rough grassland where there are views right into Hillside Road. over Forfar. At the end of the field, the path 30 BALMASHANNER HILL

Statue of Provost Reid forks; take the left-hand option. A little way on, the path makes a sharp left turn and climbs steeply alongside a beech hedge. At the top of the path there is a T-junction. Go right here to reach the tower. Designed by architect Thomas R Soutar, built using local sandstone and completed in 1921, it carries the carved inscription: ‘Erected in memory of the men of Forfar and district who fell in the great war, 1914-18’. Towering into the sky and flanked by gnarled Scots pine trees, it is a truly impressive sight. Return to the T-junction and walk straight on to reach a metal shelter and viewpoint indicator gifted to the town by local businessman James Anderson in 1929. It highlights the various hills and mountains that can be seen from this spot on a clear day. Descend north from the viewpoint, the path following a fence and wall into woodland. The route skirts round the top of a quarry concealed within the vegetation to your right before dropping down through a wooded play equipment before running a narrow corridor between fields to meet Lour course between gardens. At the end of the Road. Cross and go left on a path that path, carry straight on over a square and runs between trees and an open field follow Easterbank to its end, then turn left on the right. to enter Newmonthill Cemetery. Carry on along this path until you meet Once in the cemetery, bear right and a road at the end of a residential estate. At follow the perimeter path round to the this point, bear left up a tarmac path. It exit leading out to Newmonthill. Follow climbs and curves right, passing children’s this street down to St James Road car park. 31