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Kirriemuir to Glen Isla

Quiet glens penetrating deeply into the mountains; hills and forests.

Not many people seem to know about Glen Isla, which is nice if you want to go cycling, but perhaps not so good if you are running a hotel. The area has a quiet charm.

Collectively 'The Glens' (Isla, Prosen, Clova and Esk) are known as the Angus Glens. The upper reaches of the glens where they run deeply in to the Grampian Mountains are really beautiful. Lower down it's a mixture of farmland and woodland with the roads usually quite quiet.

The route described here is of medium distance and fairly hilly. As you'll see from the map and height profiles it would be quite easy to make it shorter and miss out a few hills.

(To make this route circular see the related route: Glen Isla to Kirriemuir.)

Leave Kirriemuir on the B951. To get to this from the town centre follow signs for The Glens but keep on the A926 taking the turning after The Glens road (ie B951 NOT the B955).

Keep on the B951 for three miles until you reach Kirkton of Kingoldrum. The B951 does a sharp zig-zag here. After this turn left, then immediately right. If you are in any doubt you are going up the steep hill!

After the climb there's a long descent for two miles. You cross the river Melgam Water; half a mile after that bear right for Bridgend of Lintrathen. Turn left when you get to the loch. Bear right at the next junction, then keep on for just over a mile to the B954.

Just before the B954 junction you pass Peel Farm which has a tea room. There's also a craft shop, plus deer, horses, goats, rabbits and sheep to look at. Shortly after joining the B954 you pass Reekie Linn, a good picnic spot with a waterfall. After crossing the River Isla take the first right opposite Craigisla House.

This starts with a gentle climb becoming steeper and rising to 400 metres. After this there's a fast descent to Brewlands Bridge with a good view up the glen. At the bottom of the hill remember to turn left before you get to the bridge.

The road to Cray is attractve, there's another climb, you pass Drumore Loch, then a mile after that turn right. It's another couple of miles on a little road overlooking the Shee Water to Cray. The small church there is interesting but there is little else.

Kirriemuir is the birth place of James Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. Even if you've only seen the Disney version you should make an effort to see where he lived and the outside wash house that was his first theatre. On Barrie's death in 1937 there was a move to dismantle his house and re-erect it in the USA. Fortunately this came to nothing and it is now owned by the National Trust.

The town itself is full of stone built closes and narrow streets, it was once famous for its weavers.

Features:

• B&Bs / Hotels Nearby
• Circular Route
• Full Day Ride
• Route By River
• Route To Link Up With Others
• Route With Bar Meals

Additional Features:

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