Clatterin Brig to Edzell via Rocks of Solitude

Clatterin Brig to Edzell via the Rocks of Solitude

This walk starts at the Clatterin Brig located on the Old Military Road (B974) about 3 km South of the Cairn o’ Mount. Take the path from the overspill car park on the north side of the Knowegreen Burn & walk North Westwards on an undulating wide track for about 1.5 km to reach the junction of the Stag Burn & the Back Burn of Arnbarrow. If you are fortunate you may be accompanied by lots of red legged partidge showing you the way forward. Ford the Stag Burn & move South Westerly on the South side of the Back Burn of Arnbarrow passing Loch of Muchrae down on the RHS. Downhill at the T junction (there is a style straight ahead over the deer fence but do not take it!)  take the track on the right & head uphill Northwards until reaching a Y junction after 250m approx. On the RHS at this junction there is a black feeding station with a timber fence round it. Take the track off to the left & continue uphill in a Westerly direction up the ridge of Longside Hill & then onto Hill of Craigiedarg & Guide’s Well passing beehives on your LHS. An adder was spotted on the track when this route was reconnoitred recently & you should get a good view of Clachnaben from here if the weather is fine.  Turn left at Guide’s Well at path junction & head Southwest passing Hound Hillock on RHS & eventually Slack Pool too.  Ignore path off to left & continue on passing Earn Cairn & Black Goit on LHS. Take left path at Tornaflossie unless you wish to visit the trig point on Sturdy Hill (544m). It is likely that the deer fence is still there near Sturdy Hill/Tornaflossie in which case it will have to be climbed to continue the route Westwards at first before bending South Westwards to Slack of Barna & then contouring Maolearn (472m). The route continues Southwards until it reaches the tarred road just West of Auchmull. Walk safely down the road for just over 2 km & turn right off the road at Grid Ref. NO 589 790. Take track on right to reach the river & the Rocks of Solitude. The route follows the River Norh Esk Southwards until it reaches a blue door which opens onto the road (B966) & a bridge. Turn right & take path on other side of the bridge which goes down the West side of the River North Esk . Follow this path carefully (it is narrow & there are steep slopes down to the river below)  for about 1.75 km & take the path off to the right at East Mains Farm & head into town via High Street. The bus will be parked near the public toilets at the car park in Edzell. This is straight across the main road from the exit at High Street.

Distance: 13.1 miles ( 21 Km); Ascent 1,370 ft(420m); Descent 1,600 ft (490m); Walk Time: approx. 6.5 hrs plus stops,

WALK 2

Edzell to Rocks of Solitude & Back

This walk starts at the car park near the public toilets in Edzell. From the car park head Southwards down the main street past the hotel (Panmure Arms) & turn left at the red sandstone building that is “The Old Post Office & Pop Up Shop”. If you go past the petrol station you have gone too far. Head downhill in an Easterly direction towards the River North Esk. At the river turn left & follow the path Northwards for around 2 km to reach the road & the bridge. Take care as the path is narrow & there are steep slopes leading down to the river below.

At the bridge cross the road safely & enter the blue door. Follow the track through the trees keeping the river on your left. It is around 2.5 km from the blue door to the Rocks of Solitude. There should be signposts showing the route to the Rocks of Solitude. After visiting “The Rocks” return to the blue door by the same route & safely cross the bridge to access the path you took earlier. Continue safely down the path & at Grid Ref. NO 602 692 turn right off the path near East Mains Farm. The path takes you through a small housing scheme onto High Street to exit at the roundabout on the main road. The large car park is just across the road where the bus will be located.

Distance: 6.6 miles(10.5 Km); Ascent & Descent:255 ft. (80 m); Walk Time: 3.25 hours plus stops.

Note: Bus departs the car park  at 5:30 pm.

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or a GPS device. In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge today should be notified, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999. The Committee Member in charge of today’s walk is Gilbert McCurdy, Mobile Number: 07807 240817.

Cancellations/Waiting List: It is important to contact Gilbert (Mobile number 07807 240817) if you cannot attend & have to cancel your booking. The bus is often fully booked which means any cancelled seats can be re-allocated to those persons on a waiting list. Anyone unsuccessful in booking a seat should contact Gilbert who will put them on a waiting list.