Aye-aye, it's Glen Dye

[RicKamila]

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With some decent weather forecast for this weekend, we decided that we really need to get back into walking, as we haven't been on a proper walk for around 4 months, so headed out to Glen Dye. We passed the Clachnaben car park and carried on heading south until we reached Spital Cottage and a small bridge. The start of this walk is immediately on the right where two cars can park either side of the entrance gate, or there is space for 3-4 cars in the layby next to the bridge.

We parked up at the gate and started the walk down the land rover track towards a gate by a stream. As we got to the gate, the local farmer appeared with his 4x4. We had a quick chat and asked if we were ok to park where we had and he said he has no problem with cars on either side, as long as he can get vehicles past. He looked at our map and pointed out where our return path is and wished us an enjoyable walk.

The walk in

Spital Cottage

Spital Cottage through the trees

He opened up the main gate for us, but there is a stile and a gate that can be used at anytime. We crossed the bridge and at the t-junction we turned left. The whole walk follows land rover tracks, so is very good under foot.

A very nice track the whole way around

The Water of Dye was on our left hand side for most of the outward section of this walk. The track rises slightly and you get a stunning view of Glen Dye as it heads off into the distance.

Water of Dye flows past for most of the walk

The sun tries to break through on a grey overcast day

The place is full of sheep and there have been plenty of births recently. A sign at the start warns of the lambing season and advises all dogs be kept on a leash. Another sign warns of the danger of Adders in the heather. One little lamb in particular liked his photo being taken. At this point, a clump of trees can be seen in the distance, these trees mark the turning point for the next track back.

Smile

Heading to the trees

Eventually we reached a small bridge where a lamb was struggling to keep up with its Mum, so we stopped and waited for the little lamb to catch up and depart from the track before we carried on. It bleated at us as we walked past and then headbutted its mum for a drink. From this bridge we got a lovely view of Clachnaben's granite tor.

A beautiful glen

Wait for me Mum

Distant Clachnaben

We eventually reached the trees and found a man-made reservoir on our left hand side. In the distance, more tracks head off over various hills and some farmhouses can be seen too. We reached a t-junction and turned right and started to climb quite steeply uphill for a little bit. We could see most of the track walked already at the start of the glen.

Finally reached the trees

Both paths

Passing more Sheep, with wonderful views over the Cairn o' Mount and Glen Dye, we followed this track for a couple of kilometres before it passes some trees and paddocks and turned right on a track that looks like it heads towards Clachnaben.

Final bend

The final section is quite flat and passes by some plantations and the Water of Dye before reaching the bridge again. The Spital Cottage ruins can be reached from the start point, but requires walking a short distance along the road. Our advice would be to park in the lay-by to avoid walking on the road at the narrow bridge.

At a little over 8km's, it felt great to get the legs moving again and fingers crossed that the weather stays good now so we can start getting some altitude again.