Airlie Monument and Dykehead circuit

Summary

The Airlie Monument is a familar landmark in the lower reaches of Glen Clova and Glen Prosen, sited on Tulloch Hill between the two. It is well worth a visit for the fine views as well as to see the monument itself - a memorial to the ninth Earl of Airlie who died in the Boer war. The route starts from the beautiful Scott-Wilson memorial, and extends the usual short ascent to make a very pleasant circular walk.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths and tracks, minor road and farm track; muddy in places

Public Transport

Very limited request bus to Dykehead (on the route) from Kirriemuir.

Start

Car park above the Scott-Wilson memorial. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.25km / 4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 209m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO371606

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (7)

WARNING

Most of the trees in this description have since been felled, but the route is still passable.

If this information is out of date please email to let us know.

Stage 1

If arriving by car, turn up the Glen Prosen road from Dykehead; after rounding the bend at the Scott-Wilson memorial there is a car park up to the right in the woods. The memorial is well worth a closer look. Erected in 2012 to replace an earlier fountain, it commemorates Captain Robert Falcon Scott (Scott of the Antarctic) and his chief scientist, surgeon and artist Edward Wilson; both died on the ill-fated south polar expedition. Wilson was based for some years at Glen Prosen and regularly visited here by Scott; training and planning for the expedition were carried out here.

Stage 2

Begin the walk from the car park by taking the main path uphill through the woodland. Eventually this reaches a junction with a waymarker sign - turn left here to continue towards the top of the wood. Leave the trees to head up to the Airlie monument. This impressive tower commemorates the ninth Earl, who was killed in 1900 on Diamond Hill in Pretoria during the Second Boer War. The monument was built in 1901 at a cost of Â£1,300 - it is currently in a state of disrepair.

Stage 3

It isn't possible to go inside, but the views from the base are superb, especially across the foot of Glen Clova and parts of Glen Prosen. Retrace your steps back down the path into the woods to the waymarked junction mentioned earlier; this time take the left branch - a fainter grassy path marked by occasional posts.

Stage 4

The path winds through the woods, gradually descending across the slope. At one point it is necessary to cross straight over an eroded (and very muddy) forest track. Keep on the path on the far side, following the markers.

Stage 5

Eventually the path swings right and then left - watch for markers - to emerge at a large cemetery in the woods. Keep left of this on the approach track, watching for waymarking indicating where to turn off right onto a woodland path once more. This curves to the right around the slope, eventually heading southwards parallel to and just above the Glen Clova road.

Stage 6

At the corner of the wood it descends to reach the road and continues as a path along the grassy verge. At a house the road is briefly joined before the path again heads to the right onto the verge, running a little above the road for a time, until it reaches the Glen Prosen road turning.

Stage 7

Keep straight ahead into the hamlet of Dykehead, but then take the next right just beyond, alongside an attractive cottage. Keep ahead when the tarmac lane becomes a farm track. Further on, ignore a track heading off left, instead curving right. Eventually Coiliamy farm is reached; go straight ahead at the junction here, signed for the Airlie Monument.

Stage 8

When the track forks beyond take the right hand branch. It now curves round the west side of Mile Hill, soon giving stunning views looking up Glen Prosen. Continue along the track until it emerges on the road at the Scott-Wilson memorial; from here head back into the car park at the start.

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