Responsible Access Useful Information Acknowledgments Paths For All Forfar Tourist Information Centre Angus Council has developed the Forfar Path Wherever possible, obstruction such as stiles and Know the Code before you go … (April to September) (01307) 467876 Network with financial assistance from The steps have been avoided, to make the paths as Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors - responsibly! Paths For All Partnership, Scottish Natural accessible as possible. Everyone has the right to be on most land and Arbroath Tourist Information Centre Heritage, Angus Environmental Trust and inland water providing they act responsibly. Your (Year round) (01241) 872609 Most of the paths are accessible to cyclists and Scottish Enterprise Tayside. access rights and responsibilities are explained horseriders as well as to walkers. In a few cases fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Forfar Library Many of the signposted paths and have been Paths To Health physical conditions make routes inaccessible or Whether you’re in the outdoors or managing the (01307) 466071 developed with the co-operation and assistance Walking is an excellent way of helping you less suitable for cyclists or horseriders. In these outdoors, the key things are to: of local landowners. Meffan Museum improve your health. It is the simplest and most cases walking, cycling or horseriding symbols • take responsibility for your own actions; For more information on path networks have been used to recommend appropriate use. • respect the interests of other people; (01307) 467017 natural form of exercise there is. in Angus please contact: • care for the environment Ranger Service, Forfar Loch Country Park 30 minutes brisk walking each day can make a All of the paths are signposted with green Planning & Transport, Angus Council, St James Find out more by visiting For advice on using the path network and big difference. You don’t have to do this all at fingerposts, as are return routes to Forfar along www.outdooraccess-scotland.com or phoning House, St James Road, Forfar, DD9 2ZP. visiting the countryside. (01307) 461118 once; it could be two 15-minute walks. public roads. Distances are given in miles. your local Scottish Natural Heritage office on Tel: (01307) 461460 (01575) 530333. Walking is free and can be enjoyed by almost Many of the paths have a hard, well-drained Traveline (public transport information) Contact our ACCESS Line on 08452 777778 if you anyone. If you want to improve your fitness, surface. Other more remote paths in the 0870 608 2 608 want this leaflet translated into Chinese, Urdu, why not try out some of the paths on the map. network may have a grassy surface or may be www.angus.gov.uk Hindi or Punjabi, or into large print, audio or muddy, particularly where they are shared with www.angusanddundee.co.uk Braille. What are the benefits of keeping active? farm vehicles. Appropriate footwear for wet or Taking regular exercise will not only make you A guide to the Forfar Heritage Trail is available muddy conditions is Please: feel better, it could also be a lifesaver. recommended. • Take your litter home. from the Library, Museum and Tourist Information Centre. Research has shown that exercise can help to: • Keep your dog under close control. Remove • Lower stress levels and blood pressure Dog dirt and dispose of it safely. • Be aware that cattle can be dangerous. • Reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes Don’t take your dog into fields where there • Strengthen bones and muscles are calves or other young animals. Never let • Maintain flexible joints your dog worry or attack livestock. • Control weight • Expect to meet other people. Let farm traffic pass safely. Cycle or ride at a safe speed.

Planning & Transport

The burgh town of Forfar lies in the heart of Angus, Around Restenneth around 14 miles north of Dundee, surrounded by the 4 miles 2 hours walk If you head out of Forfar on the Arbroath, rich farmland of Strathmore. Montrose, or Old Brechin Roads, you can link a number of tracks to make a circuit which visits Round the Loch the ruins of Restenneth Priory, crosses Restenneth 1 Over Bummie 2 /2 miles 1 hour 15 minutes walk One thousand years ago a Royal Castle was sited on the Moss and passes through Lunanhead. 2 miles 1 hour walk Forfar Loch was once much larger than it is now. shores of Forfar Loch. Forfar was an important Sturdy footwear is advised, as some of these Before it was drained in the 18th century the paths may be muddy during wet weather. At Balmashanner Hill, or ‘Bummie’ dominates the residence of the Scottish Kings, at a crossroads on the loch was nearly 6 metres higher and stretched times after wet weather the path across the skyline south of Forfar. A network of paths link eastwards nearly as far as the East Port. Castle Kings Highway between Perth and Aberdeen. At Moss may become flooded and impassable. the old slate quarries on the hill, offering some A Circuit of Lour Street was once a ford across the loch. reasonably energetic walks. The Priory, picturesquely situated above the that time Strathmore was a vast inhospitable area 5 miles 45 minutes cycle ride The environment of the loch is now preserved Moss, is well worth a short detour from your From Reid Park you can climb quite steeply to for recreation and wildlife within Forfar Loch of bogs, lochs and scrub, and Forfar was one of the walk. The site of the priory is reputed to date the top of Bummie, where you are rewarded If you head south out of Forfar on the Lour Country Park. There is a ranger base where you back to the 7th century, when Nechtan with panoramic views over Forfar and Road, there are a number of quiet roads beyond few places where it could be safely crossed. can learn more about the environment. macDerile, King of the Picts, sent for masons to Strathmore towards the Angus glens and hills. Balmashanner Hill which offer pleasant cycling. This short circuit takes you through fertile You can walk around Forfar Loch in either build a church of stone. At that time Restenneth At the top you can turn right towards an Forfar has been a Royal Burgh since the 12th century, farmland, with views of Lownie Hill to the east direction from Forfar Leisure Centre. The circuit Moss would have been a loch. It is now impressive turreted sandstone tower, which was and the Hill of Lour to the south. offers level, easy walking. During very wet spells designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest built as a war memorial after the First World but remained a small town until the 17th and 18th the loch may flood the path and waterproof for its wetland plants. War. You can continue walking past Gallow Hill footwear will be required. centuries, when much of the surrounding wetland was and Slatefield quarries to the Dundee Road. drained. Farming became important and huge quantities of flax Alternatively, turn left at the top of the hill were produced. The flax was woven into Osnaburg cloth, which was towards a shelter and viewpoint indicator, which was gifted to the people of Forfar by James exported to America and the West Indies. Forfar grew as a weaving town and Anderson in 1929. Return to Forfar via Lour by 1819 it produced 2.6 million yards of Osnaburg per year. Road and South Street. T R E E T LO R S

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H T I E Track N A R K Signposted Routes M A D FForfarorfar R O I C E S E R V road

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O Round the Loch N A road (main route) E T O T LO C H S I D E D D O N S T R E E E R OA D R T R T S D H T S disused railway E R Around Restenneth D sports A B R O A O O C H ground R R H LO 40 contour (heights shown in feet) R T RN 0 N O B U S E E E T S Over Bummie A R S T R T A R built-up-area, buildings A D C O R I E L L R O I C T E E E N S W V E Q U T D A O woodland/forestry R A Circuit ofLour

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base T A R A T R E B I E E R G T R E T O S T E R E T E AT O N O E N S T R E R H M A U E S T R ' Q D Leisure L T O H E I G E Centre C R THE H T Forfar H D S T S car OA C ROSS E A R R Y S Loch E COUTTIES M O park O R E M Y W YND A D U A AC T H D S T R E T E E C T E caravan T R H A S T R E E T park S P E L N H E I G W H M N O T E N S T E W H W I R L L O cemetery A D

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D R EID D UNDEE R OAD PARK

We have signposted 16 miles of paths, tracks and quiet roads for you to explore the countryside around Forfar.

You can follow one of the circuits described overleaf or link together the signposted paths to make your own route.

Access rights extend to other paths and tracks on the map except where they go over land on which access rights do not apply. Further information can be found in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

0 kilometre 1 Basedonpre1950OrdnanceSurveymaterial. SurveyedanddrawnbyStirlingSurveys 0 mile ½ December2002-January2003.

Designed by Angus Council Print & Design Unit.