Lunan Bay

Summary

Lunan Bay is probably the finest beach in Angus - a magnificent sweep of sand, with a cave and arch at its northern end, and even a ruined castle. The beach is divided in two by the Lunan Water flowing out over the sands - dividing this walk into two halves, with a chance to visit the cafe part way through.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.25/5

Rating

Terrain

Easy sandy walking and dune path for northern section. Southern section has steeper path down to beach.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Lunan Bay car park, down track from the hamlet of Lunan. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 69m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO689509

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Begin the walk from the Lunan Bay car park, which is accessed down a signed track from the minor road through the hamlet of Lunan, on the back road between Arbroath and Montrose. There is a modern cafe here; as the walk is in two separate halves and returns to the parking area in the middle, there are plenty of opportunities to visit it! For the northern part of the beach, start by heading up the wooden boardwalk that climbs up into the dunes; there is a viewing platform at the top. Then descend to the beach and turn left along the sands.

Stage 2

The 4km sweep of perfect sands at Lunan Bay make it one of the east coast's finest beaches. Continue to the north end of the beach, where the Buckie Den burn flows out over the sand. This is usually easily enough crossed, giving a chance to visit the cliffs just beyond - there is a sea cave with two entrances to explore, and if the tide is sufficiently out, an arch a very short distance further along - but be careful not to get cut off by the incoming tide.

Stage 3

After exploring these, return across the Buckie Den burn and then take a path that heads along by the dunes. There is a maze of paths at first, but eventually they all converge to continue behind the dunes towards the car park. Access to the southern half of the Lunan Bay beach is blocked by the Lunan Water (unless you fancy a paddle at low tide!), so to begin the second part of the walk, walk up the track from the car park back to the hamlet of Lunan on the public road, and turn left along the road.

Stage 4

The road leads past the church and crosses a bridge over the Lunan Water. Continue round the next bend, and as the road begins to rise look out for two old large wooden posts (one of them toppled) on the left side which mark a path that leads off between two fences. Head along this path, passing through a gate, to climb up to the ruins of Red Castle. The remains here date back to the fifteenth century and include part of the curtain wall, and the keep - the latter is particularly in an unsafe state so take care. Pass to the left of the curtain wall, and then turn right to pass between it and the keep.

Stage 5

Continue southwards on a faint path (not the very steep path in front of the castle that heads towards the sea), heading downhill towards a bungalow and to the left of the garden of a white house. The path emerges through a gate onto a lane. Turn left down the lane, then bear right at the bottom through a gate onto the grassy area behind the sand dunes. There is a bird hide here which can be visited before heading down onto the sandy beach.

Stage 6

The southern stretch of sands is longer than the northern part, and the walk along them to Corbie Knowe is around 2km. Corbie Knowe is an old burial mound, and just beyond it are a series of summer cabins and caravans. To include a detour to visit the old fishing station of Eathie Haven, leave the beach here before reaching a burn to head up to reach a footpath signpost.

Stage 7

Turn left at the signpost to follow a path over a footbridge and then between two cabins. The path climbs high above the bay, giving fine views back across the sands. The path can be a little muddy at times, but eventually meets a track at a bend. Ignore the signpost here and follow the track straight ahead through the gate; it soon leads down to visit the old fishing cottages at Ethie Haven. Several of them are now used as summer homes.

Stage 8

To return to the car park, there is no better alternative than to return to Corbie Knowe and head back along the beach and past the Red Castle.

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