Walk: Kinpurney - hill, hermit & tower

Angus | Sidlaw Hills | Short walk | ★★

[Kinpurney Tower]

The cluttered summit area of this hill in the Sidlaws contains the derelict shell of an 18th century observatory. Scottish legend tells us that a young, local poacher was locked in the tower for seven years, all to win a £100 bet. As the story goes he was successful - but emerged mad, tragically frail and unable to utter a single word. £100 gained, but youth, mind and power of speech lost. Perhaps you can ponder over whether there's a moral to the tale while you climb the grassy slopes (with woodland and picturesque waterfalls lower down) - fortunately the door to the observatory is long gone so you can wander inside without fear of the same happening to you...

[Kinpurney Hill, seen from near the start]

📌 Walk: Kinpurney - hill, hermit & tower ★★
▶ 6 km / 4 miles | ▲ 280 metres
Summits: Kinpurney Hill (345 metres) | Features: Kinpurney Tower
Start / finish: Car park in Newtyle, G.R.: NO 298415 ///payer.deciding.rucksack

Route: Car park - Denend - The Den - Kinpurney Hill - return by outward route
Terrain: Fairly quiet road to Denend, then waymarked paths or grassy tracks to summit. Some mud and constant (but gradual) ascent.
Wildlife today: Grazing sheep; pheasants and several roe deer in the fields lower down.
Weather today: Sunny after morning rain showers. Not far above freezing, with wind strengthening considerably on the descent.

[View east into the rolling Sidlaw Hills from the summit]

Route map


Route credit: Walkhighlands

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