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You will find walking in Angus a delight
whatever the season and we have a range of
walks to suit all levels of experience and fitness
including riverside, woodland, town and hill
walks.
At the end of the walk you can relax, take in the
scenery and enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea or
something stronger in one of the many
tearooms or pubs in the Glens and surrounding
towns and villages. We also pride ourselves on
the range of accommodation available – from
quality hotels to cosy B&Bs, bunkhouses to self
catering cottages. Look out for the ‘Walkers
Welcome’ sign to show accommodation which
welcomes and has specific facilities for walkers.
Find out more on walking in Angus, and a host
of other activities at www.angusanddundee.co.uk
That’s why the 2008 Festival is reaching out
not just to established walkers but to people
who are new to walking in the country or
who are relatively inactive. Walking is an ideal
activity to promote and increase fitness because
it is easier to start and keep going than other
types of exercise. Also, going from inactive to
moderately active produces quicker health gain.
Walks which are ‘Strenuous’ or ‘Very Strenuous’
require a good level of physical fitness.
‘Moderate’ and ‘Easy’ walks are best for people
who are currently less active (and perhaps newer
walkers). Crombie ‘All Abilities’ walk is suitable
for everyone and includes wheelchair access.
Remember walking is generally safe and all walks
are accompanied. But if you have any doubts
about your health or fitness level speak to a
medical practitioner first.
Kirriemuir is the Event Centre and starting point for most of the walks. Nestled on the southern slopes of the Grampian hills, it is a bustling market town known locally as the Gateway to the Glens. Less than an hour’s drive from the town are the six other Burghs of Angus with their own distinct character and visitor attractions, and close by is the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Glamis Castle. The town has: its own local history museum, located in a 400-year-old Town House; the unique Camera Obscura situated on a hill above the town; and an aviation museum dedicated to the two World Wars. Most famously it is the birthplace of J M Barrie, whose house has been restored, and is one of many properties now owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
Kirriemuir is on the A926 and A928, 5
miles/8km west of Forfar and 18 miles/28km north of Dundee, the nearest
railhead. There are good bus services to the town from Dundee and Forfar.
There is free public car parking in Kirriemuir, and it is well signposted.
Start and finish points for walks often have very limited car parking,
so we advise that you use the Walking Festival bus service which is
included in the cost of the walks.
For your enjoyment and relaxation, refreshments are available to purchase
from local establishments at the end of each walk. Where stated in the
Programme you should provide your own packed lunch, which can be obtained
either from your accommodation provider or local shops.
Costs vary depending on walk and evening
events you wish to participate in - please refer to
programme. Early booking for walks and for
evening events is essential
as many have limits
on numbers. The All Abilities walk is discounted
at £5 but you will need your own transport to
the start of the walk.
Pre-booking for walks and for evening events
is essential as many have limits on numbers.
In common with the policy adopted by other similar events, dogs are
not allowed on Festival walks. Many walks
go through livestock areas or places where ground-nesting birds breed,
and this is a sensitive time of year. This rule is strictly applied
(guide dogs excepted).
Please do not smoke while on a guided walk, both out of consideration
for others and also to avoid any undue risk of fire. All are reminded that Scottish Executive legislation makes it an offence to smoke in any enclosed public place in Scotland.
Participants in the Angus Glens Walking Festival take part at their
own risk, and the organisers and sponsor bodies shall not be liable
for any accident or injury, however caused. The event is covered by
public liability insurance, but you are strongly advised to check that
you have adequate personal accident insurance and are medically fit.
All walks will have experienced leaders and first aiders. Many leaders
are local folk who work in the Angus Glens or Countryside Rangers who
will be able to pass on interesting information about the landscape,
its wildlife and human history. Qualified Mountain Leaders will lead
all high-level walks
The Event Manager is the Angus Glens Walking Festival Chairman, Mick Pawley, Countryside Services Manager, Angus Council
Walks in the Festival have been graded in order
that you can select walks suitable for your level of fitness; descriptions
are included in this Programme. The ascent is given where this is significant.
Selecting suitable walks will enable you to get the most pleasure and
satisfaction from the Festival - and leave you some energy to spare
for the evening events!
Please ensure that you have suitable equipment. Most walks require full
hillwalking gear including boots, waterproofs and windproof clothing,
where stated you should provide your own packed lunch, which can be
obtained either from your accommodation provider or local shops.
For reasons of both safety and comfort, lower
and some mid-level walks will be limited to a maximum of 30 people.
Higher level walks may have smaller limits, due to distance or severity
of terrain. Limits are clearly indicated in this Programme. (Pre-booking
for walks is therefore essential.) If your selected walk is full,
we will offer alternative walks on the same day wherever we can.
In Scotland you will find a wide range of other
walking events from a short ranger led walk to week long walking festivals.
For details on other events, visit www.visitscotland.com/walking
and click on ‘events’.
The following Ordnance Survey publications
are relevant to the area featured in the Angus Glens Walking Festival.
Explorer 388. (Lochnagar, Glen Muick & Glen Clova.)
Explorer 381. (Blairgowrie.)
1:25,000 scale (4cm to 1km or 2.5 inches to 1 mile). Retail price: £8.50
Landranger 44. (Ballater & Glen Clova).
Landranger 53. (Blairgowrie and surrounding area.)
1:50,000 scale (2cm to 1km or 1.75 inches
to 1 mile). Retail price: £7.50 each.
* Please note the campsite and Youth Hostel in Glen Doll marked on the OS map Landranger 44 at GR 285 758 are no longer open.
All maps are packed with useful information to help you get to know
the area including viewpoints, places of interest and tourist information.
To place your order please contact VisitScotland Angus & Dundee Tourist Information Centre on (01382) 527 527 or email walkingfestival@angusanddundee.co.uk. |