Date/Time

Date(s) - 15/03/2009
12:00 am

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: No
O/S Map Sheet No.: 54
Grid Ref. Start:
Grid Ref. Finish
Walk (Miles): 11
Walk Hours:
Bus Time to Walk:
Bus Time from Walk:
Departure time from walk:


Walk Notes

The walk today follows a part of the Angus coastline with some interesting cliff and shore scenery.

The walk commences at the north end of Arbroath promenade below Victoria Park (NGR.648.409), where a Nature Trail is picked up near the Well of Whiting Ness and heads north along the clifftops for about two miles. This part of the walk is through the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Seaton Cliffs Reserve and in several places the sandstone cliffs have been eroded into some unusual shapes such as the Needle E’e a natural arch, and the deep inlet of Dickmont’s Den. A little further on will be seen a detached rock monolith, accessible at low tide, known as the Deil’s Heid. Just beyond this point the path becomes fainter but drops down into Carlingheugh Bay. About half way along the bay where a burn comes down follow the burn inland for a short distance before turning right on to a path which heads towards Windyhills Farm. Turn left up the farm access road for a short bit, but before reaching the outbuildings take another farm road on the right which heads across fields towards the village of Auchmithie, where the Arbroath Smokie is believed
to have originated.
The road through the village is followed to the north end where it bears left away from the sea. From here the cliffs are not very accessible for about a mile and it is better to follow farm roads for a bit. Turn right at the first junction and right again at the next one which leads to west Mains Farm. At the next junction beyond this take a right hand road leading back towards the cliffs near Red Head. A rough track is then picked up leading along the clifftops to a marshy hollow called Kirk Loch after the nearby ruins of St Murdoch’s Chapel. At the Lang Craig the coastline starts to bend towards the cottages of picturesque Ethie Haven and leads onto the shore.
The sands are then followed northwards towards the prominent ruin of Red Castle, a 15th century stronghold overlooking the bay and guarding the mouth of the Lunan Water which leads inland towards Inverkeilor and the fertile lands of Strathmore. There is no bridge over the Lunan Water at the castle so it is necessary to take the road inland from the castle before turning right on to a secondary road which leads to a bridge just below the church and the hamlet of Lunan. The bus will be parked near here (NGR.687.516)