Walk: Lethnot – hidden Angus Glen gem

📌 Glen Lethnot, Angus
★★★

Angus famously has 5 glens. Of these, Glen Clova, Glen Esk and Glen Isla are all popular walking destinations, and deservedly so. But what about Glen Lethnot? Stranded just outside the Cairngorms National Park and accessing few high hills, this is a lonely valley neglected by visitors. In bygone days this was good news for whisky distillers, who hid their illicit stills in the glen away from prying eyes. It’s also good news for us: Glen Lethnot’s quietness makes this a superb place to get away from it all, and useful coverage by tracks and stalkers paths make exploration of the upper glen easy. Once your wanderlust is satisfied, head back over the prow of West Craig for great views downstream. Consider yourself unlucky if you meet another soul all day.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at minor road end in Glen Lethnot

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 465716

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.833185,-2.877920

❌ No public transport within 1 mi

🚗 Car park

📝 Key info

▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 420 m | ⌛ 4-4.5 hr

Features: 💧 Glen Lethnot / Water of Saughs; 📷 West Craig viewpoint

⬤ Tough | Mostly good tracks. Stalker’s path to Shank of Donald Young is clear but has some wet sections, followed by a short pathless stretch alongside grouse butts. Burn crossing of Water of Saughs could be difficult in spate.

➡️ Clockwise lollipop circuit: start – cross footbridge at 🧭 NO 438734 – Shank of Donald Young – cross Water of Saughs at 🧭 NO 419741 – West Craig – rejoin outward route below West Craig – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Mountain hares higher up.

Weather: Mostly sunny but cold, with numerous snow patches, icicles and areas of running water frozen.

January 2012