The day started when me and Joanna (my wife) drove from Kirriemuir to Arbroath where we left the car and caught a local bus service to Montrose. Leaving the bus at the railway bridge by Ferryden, a quick walk along the main road through 'The Den' and we were soon at the lighthouse .
There was considerable contrast between our rural location at Scurdie Ness and the built-up dock on the other bank of the South Esk River. Although the morning was chilly and misty the weather forecast was good and we were hopeful of a day's sunshine on our backs. |
If you prefer a more curtailed, circular walk, you would have the option at this point to walk only as far as Usan, taking the time to explore the rock pools, beach and bird life, and enjoying a leisurely lunch (if you brought it with you) before returning along local lanes to Ferryden.
Good progress is made on this part of the path but after Usan it becomes slightly more difficult as you occasionally walk through field margins / rougher ground. While walking field margins may be a necessity at times on a coastal walk, it is not to be recommended during the late growing season, particularly if you are wearing short trousers. Between the field margins and seriously over-grown footpaths, by the end of the day our lower legs were lacerated by crop stems, nettles, thistles and various shrubs and other low-lying bushes.
Shortly after Mains of Usan the shoreline starts to rise and if you want to stick close to the coast and the rising cliffs, it is mainly by walking field margins and rough paths. There are some interesting natural rock arches (Elephant Rock) just before the hamlet of Boddin.
Lunan Bay has a marvellous expanse of sandy beach that tempts you to stop and linger. A very pleasant walk across the firm sand (it was low tide) includes the only statutory paddle on the walk to cross the Lunan Water where it enters the sea at the south end of the beach, just below the remains of the Red Castle. The water was cold and refreshing on already aching feet and we stopped on the dunes by the river for lunch. |
One of the interesting features on the walk is the strange inhabitants you find in slightly out of the way places from fishermen at the end of rocky peninsulas to soah sheep wandering nonchalantly up and down steep cliff slopes (See photographs at the end). Just before you reach the Haven you pass Corbie Knowe the site of an early medieval settlement (500 - 1100 AD).