Kirriemuir Explorer Walk

The town of Kirriemuir is not just the Gateway to the Angus Glens - it's well worth a visit in its own right. This walk explores the town's most interesting features - many associated with its most famous son, JM Barrie - the creator of Peter Pan. It also ascends Kirriemuir Hill for views towards the Glens, and returns through the Den.

STAGE 1
The walk begins from the Bellies Brae car park, just south of the centre beside the burn on the A926 road. At the entrance to the car park is a statue of the ACDC frontman Bon Scott, who had his early childhood in the town. Begin by heading north along the pavement beside the road to reach the centre of the town. A statue of Peter Pan - JM Barrie's most famous character - stands here surrounded by some fine buildings, most notably the Old Town House which is now a small museum.

STAGE 2
Turn right to head along Bank Street, and later left along School Wynd. Take the next right onto Brechin Road - noting the new(er) Town Hall diagonally opposite. On the right hand side of Brechin Road is the birthplace of JM Barrie - now a museum run by the National Trust for Scotland dedicated to the playwright and novelist. Continue along Brechin Road - ignoring the first path network sign which includes Kirrie Hill - until the very edge of town. Here turn left onto a footpath signed for Kirrie Hill.

STAGE 3
When the path forks take the right hand branch, signed for the viewpoint. The path passes a low cliff which was part of a former quarry, but is now used by rock climbers. The quarry was part of the estate of Sir Charles Lyell, a famous geologist who greatly influenced Darwin. Follow the path as it curves left around the east side of Kirrie Hill and then left again to pass round the northern side, keeping to the right of a fenced waterworks. There are stunning views northwards towards the mountains of the Angus Glens - with the Airlie Monument prominent.

STAGE 4
Turn right at a path junction, keeping to the right of the Heathery Faudie - a mound which may have been the site of a motte. The path curves right and passes a large standing stone. Turn left just beyond this onto a track, passing the covered seats at Wilkie's Shelter. Further on the Neverland playpark is seen to the right - modelled on Captain Hook's pirate ship from Peter Pan.

STAGE 5
A car park is reached just beyond. Over to the right the white building houses a Camera Obscura - one of only three in Scotland - and is open to the public in summer.

STAGE 6
To visit JM Barrie's grave, turn left through a gate in the stone wall from the picnic area to enter the cemetery. Once inside, turn right and continue round the edge, downhill, until another sign for 'Barrie's Grave' indicates where to turn left, with the grave soon on the left side. After visiting, return to the gate at the top of the cemetery.

STAGE 7
Back outside the cemetery turn left along a tarmac cyclepath which descends into the town. Turn left downhill when this meets a road, then take a right turn onto West Hillbank. When opposite the Episcopal Church turn left down Douglas Street, then right at the t-junction at the end and immediately left again onto Gordon Park. This soon meets a main road, Glengate; turn right up this. When it forks take the left branch - signed for Alyth.

STAGE 8
Continue until almost the edge of town, where you can turn left down steps and past an old iron barrier into the Den. On the way down turn right to continue down to cross the footbridge over the Gairie Burn. On the far side turn left, taking the lowest path that keeps closest to the burn. The narrow den soon broadens into a public park - stay on the path immediately to the right of the burn. When the road is approached at the far end of the park fork left to stay on the path beside the burn, passing beneath the road. Continue on a path, turning left after heading up steps. A short distance further on a footbridge leads back to the car park at the start.