Angus Glens Walking Festival

Located in the western portion of the beautiful Angus region of Scotland, the five Glens of Angus – Glenisla, Glen Prosen, Glen Clova, Glen Lethnot and Glen Esk – stretch from east in the lowlands up toward the high mountains in the west, which form the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Using the market town of Kirriemuir as a base, this captivating area is the venue of the 6th annual Angus Glens Walking Festival, and all are welcome to enjoy the experience of exploring its natural treasures from 29 May to 1 June 2008.

The four-day Angus Glens Walking Festival has established itself as a prime event on Scotland’s Outdoor Events calendar and offers a program packed with interesting walks and evening entertainment. Each of these glens has it own unique character and all are exquisitely beautiful. Walkers can expect to cover a variety of terrain and discover stunning scenery of fast-flowing rivers, rolling heather-clad hills, forests, meandering streams, rugged crags, ice-sculpted valleys and plateaus complete with glacial lochs.

The mountains of the Angus Glens are home to an amazing array of colorful birds, including ptarmigan, capercaillie, and red and black grouse. The skies are dotted with soaring birds of prey, such as golden eagles, sparrow-hawks, kestrels, merlins, buzzards and peregrine falcons. Visitors may catch sight of a number of animal residents of the Glens, including the stately red deer and the smaller, but no less impressive, roe deer.

All walks on the program for the Angus Glens Walking Festival will be led by experienced walkers and will be accompanied by a first-aider. The leaders are either Countryside Rangers or local folk, who will pass on interesting facts regarding the landscape and its wildlife, as well as its human history. High-level walks will be led by qualified Mountain Leaders. Walks on the program have been graded for level of difficulty to assist participants to choose events that are suited to their level of fitness. It is suggested that walkers not overestimate their level of fitness, and leave some energy for the evening entertainment, such as Saturday night’s Ceilidh.

The health benefits of walking are widely recognized, and Scotland’s Angus Glens Walking Festival is a sociable event – for walkers of all levels of experience, as well as encouraging beginners to join in this enjoyable activity.