📌 Sidlaw Hills, Angus
★★
The cluttered summit area of this hill in the Sidlaws contains the derelict shell of an 18th century observatory. Scottish legend tells us that a young, local poacher was locked in the tower for seven years, all to win a £100 bet. As the story goes he was successful – but emerged mad, tragically frail and unable to utter a single word. £100 gained, but youth, mind and power of speech lost. Perhaps you can ponder over whether there’s a moral to the tale while you climb the grassy slopes (with woodland and picturesque waterfalls lower down) – fortunately the door to the observatory is long gone so you can wander inside without fear of the same happening to you.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on North Street, Newtyle village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 298415
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.560320,-3.143184
🚌 Bus to Newtyle
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 280 m | ⌛ 1.5-2 hr
Features: △ Kinpurney Hill (345 m); 🏛️ Kinpurney Tower
⬤ Moderate | Fairly quiet road to Denend, then waymarked paths or grassy tracks to summit. Some mud and constant (but gradual) ascent.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – Denend – The Den – Kinpurney Hill & tower – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Grazing sheep; pheasants and several roe deer in the fields lower down.
Weather: Sunny after morning rain showers. Not far above freezing, with wind strengthening considerably on the descent.
December 2013
