Glen Isla, Angus

Finalty Hill – Around 8am I was parked up between the end of the public road at Auchavan and the estate bridge over the River Isla, accessed northwards from Brewlands Bridge on the B951 Glen Shee to Kirriemuir Road along a single track road.

I walked north along the vehicle track on the west side of the River Isla.

Glen Isla
Glen Isla
Spying Hillock
Spying Hillock

After over two kilometres, and on approaching Tulchan Lodge, I crossed the bridges over the Glenbrighty Burn then the River Isla. From there a vehicle track headed east. However I soon left it and climbed steadily north on a vehicle track that ran along the edge of a deer fence enclosing some trees and onto Spying Hillock.

Approach route
Approach route
Black Hill
Black Hill
Glen Brighty and Mallrenheskein
Glen Brighty and Mallrenheskein
Monega Hill
Monega Hill
Druim Mor and Caenlochan Glen
Druim Mor and Caenlochan Glen
Route to Finalty Hill
Route to Finalty Hill

From this knoll there was a slight loss of height then a path ran through vegetation and some damp ground later re-joining the vehicle track which avoided this area by-passing it to the west.  I followed the track up Finalty Hill’s South-West Ridge merging with a more obvious track coming in from the south. Beyond, the gradient eased as the flat summit area was reached and I passed another vehicle track to the south. The highest point of Finalty Hill, a Corbett Top, was apparently at the side of the track.

Druim Mor and Tom Buidhe
Druim Mor and Tom Buidhe
Lochnagar in the distance
Lochnagar in the distance
Mayar and Driesh
Mayar and Driesh
Glas Maol and head of Caenlochan Glen
Glas Maol and head of Caenlochan Glen

It was relatively calm lower down but at the summit there was a cool breeze but it kept the midges at bay. I took a coffee break at a grassy area where sections of old metal fencing were visible. Apparently this was the location of a hut long demolished.

Across Glen Cally. Mayar in the distance
Across Glen Cally. Mayar in the distance

Thereafter I returned to the first track coming in from the south and used it to make a circular walk. The condition of this track varied from being stony, eroded, or to sections of grass and peat but it made for a pleasant enough route down Tom Dubh na Cabair and Sron Meadhonach to Glen Cally.

Mid Hill
Mid Hill
Route from Finalty Hill
Route from Finalty Hill
Bada na Bresoch and Fore Brae. Badandun Hill beyond
Bada na Bresoch and Fore Brae. Badandun Hill beyond
Return route to Glen Isla
Return route to Glen Isla

On reaching the Glencally Burn work was in progress to replace a bridge over this stream but fortunately the water level was fairly low so there was no problem with its crossing. There was then a slight height gain before the track descended to the property at Dalhally merging with a vehicle track coming in from Mid Hill to the east.

At Dalhally signage for walkers indicated the route round the perimeter of this property but the ground was a quagmire in places and unacceptable as a by-pass route. On rejoining the vehicle track it was then a short walk back to my car.

Lindalla North-West Top and Lindalla – After Finalty Hill I drove south down Glen Isla and parked on the east verge south-east of The Mill, then walked north along the vehicle track leading to Auchintaple Loch. I soon left this track and followed animal trails east up the edge of the trees, through vegetation and tree stumps. Beyond the wood I headed up the side of a dyke to the summit of Lindalla North-West Top, the highest point of this Tump being 15 metres north-west of a fence.

Lindalla
Lindalla
Meall Mor and Cairn Gibbs
Meall Mor and Cairn Gibbs

After lunch here I descended south keeping to the west of a deer fence and stone dyke topped by fence wire. Initially the route was on an ATV track then it was through heather to reach a boggy col. From there I commenced the ascent of Lindalla with more heather and bog. Beyond the trees protected by the deer fence, I crossed the dyke topped with fence wire and ascended through a field of sheep to reach the boulder marking the summit of this Tump.

Towards Kirkton of Glenisla
Towards Kirkton of Glenisla
Mount Blair
Mount Blair
Carn an Fhidhleir, Duchray Hill and Glen Beanie
Carn an Fhidhleir, Duchray Hill and Glen Beanie
Badandun Hill
Badandun Hill
Glen Finlet
Glen Finlet
Crock
Crock

Thereafter I headed back to and crossed the wall then used traces of an ATV track and animal trails to return to the start.

  • Total time taken – 6hours.
  • Total distance – 17.25 kilometres.
  • Total height climbed – 780 metres.