WARNING: By their nature, text files cannot include scanned iamges and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the original PDF version of this document. 8 ANGUS GLENS This section of the LCA includes those parts of all four of the Angus Glens, and their subsidiaries, which lie within the Park. This character assessment is presented, working from east to west as follows: 59. Angus Glens: Upper Glen Esk 60. Angus Glens: Glen Doll 61. Angus Glens: Upper Glen Clova 62. Angus Glens: Mid Glen Clova 63. Angus Glens: Upper Glen Prosen 64. Angus Glens: Upper Glen Isla The numbers relate to the character areas identified on the following map. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.1 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Esk NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.1.1 Landscape Character ¥ The glen floor broadens at this junction between Upper Glen Esk, Glen Lee, Glen Mark and Glen Effock, where gently undulating glacial-fluvial deposits form well-drained and accessible slopes ¥ The glens are contained by slopes which have been steepened and roughened by glacial activity, which has left behind scree and exposed rocky crags, which extend along the glens into the mountain interior ¥ Loch Lee, a reservoir used to provide drinking water, occupies the whole of the troughÐlike lower Glen Lee, and has been included in this character area as it contributes to the diversity of the character type and is a focus for accessible recreation ¥ Generous and diverse woodland, including mature broadleaved woodland, riparian woodland, some conifer woodland and Scots pine shelter woods, extends widely across this area ¥ Upper slopes are managed heather grouse moor, with some upland grassland, occasional bracken and remnants of birch woodland or regenerating willow associated with watercourses and wetland ¥ The lower slopes and gravelly terrain along the glen floor are farmed, with broadly rectilinear-shaped, fenced late 18th/19th century improved fields are now largely used for pasture, some of which are reverting to wetland ¥ The landmark 14th century Ôtower houseÕ of Invermark Castle is strategically located at the junction of Glen Mark and Glen Lee, at the head of Glen Esk ¥ The area is the focus of settlement, indicating the final, habitable reaches of upper Glen Esk. The focus of settlement is around Invermark Lodge, and other estate buildings of a consistent architectural style ¥ Existing and abandoned farms have a very particular association with the mouths of the side glens, sitting at edge of the improved fields where both Glen Mark and Glen Effock join with Glen Esk ¥ The public road stops at a car park, from where there is easy access on foot and bicycle on vehicle tracks into the surrounding more remote glens and mountain interior 8.1.2 Landscape experience ¥ The area is both a ÔdestinationÕ at the head of Glen Esk, and a ÔthresholdÕ to other, more secluded and remote glens and the mountainous hinterland beyond ¥ This part of Glen Esk is tranquil, although it is too busy to be secluded 8.1.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas This area is a ÔgatewayÕ into the interior of the mountain areas of the north eastern hills, with views particularly along Loch Lee into Glen Lee and easy access to Glen Mark. 8.1.4 Assessment of distinctiveness This is a diverse landscape, with a range of woodland types, farmed land and the presence of Loch Lee contributing to a contemporary setting for historical features, such as Invermark Castle and the 17th century church on the shores of the loch. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Gentle gradients and wooded character NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Loch Lee, a reservoir, fills the lower part of Glen Lee NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Fields, now partly reverting to wetland NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Invermark Lodge Ð a landmark feature NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.2 Angus Glens: Glen Doll NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.2.1 Landscape Character ¥ Craggy slopes, steepened and roughened by glacial erosion, form the flanks of high hills, some of which are munros, and enclose this glen, extending in a band of exposed rock around the rim of the glen ¥ The glen is dominated by this exposed rock which creates massive, overhanging rocky outcrops and dramatic corries along the ridgeline, and rock falls across lower slopes ¥ The White Water and its tributaries tumble down the steep side slopes and down a narrow, steeply sloping, glen floor ¥ Upland grassland dominates the summits and upper slopes, with rare arctic alpines growing on a band of mineral-rich horneblende schist in Corrie Fee ¥ Extensive conifer woodland extends over all the lower slopes, which include extensive areas of gravelly glacial deposits often extending close to the base of many of the rocky outcrops ¥ There is little apparent historic settlement, although the evidence may simply be hidden by the extensive woodland and remain unrecorded ¥ The former youth hostel and a cluster of buildings at Acharn are located where the glen meets Upper Glen Clova ¥ There is no vehicle access, and the area is a focal point for recreation activity and the starting point to many walks of different degrees of difficulty, including access to Munros and over the high pass of JockÕs Road to neighbouring glens 8.2.2 Landscape experience ¥ The steep sided hills, emphasised by their height and dramatic, often overhanging rocky cliffs and corries, create a very pronounced sense of enclosure, reinforced by the woodland ¥ The area is secluded and forms a threshold to more remote mountainous hinterland ¥ The drama of arriving at the head of the glen is reinforced by the mass of the mountains at the head and sides of the glen, creating a very pronounced focal point when accessed from the south ¥ This is further reinforced when approaching this area through the high passes from the mountainous hinterland, where descending into the glen creates a sense of arrival 8.2.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas The area is in part inter-visible with Glen Clova. There is a sense of arrival to Glen Doll which is experienced when travelling through Glen Clova towards this northern glen, with the twin summits of Craig Mellon and Cairn Broadlands visible from a distance, framed by Glen Clova. 8.2.4 Assessment of distinctiveness The drama of the sheerness of the side slopes and the height of the hills forms a very pronounced sense of enclosure and reinforces the sense of Ôhigh passÕ when walking or cycling up and down this glen. The rocky overhangs, corries and massive outcrops of rock reinforce the ruggedness of the upper slopes and mountain tops. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Conifer woodland fills much of the floor of this glen, extending up to the base of the rocky cliffs (photograph courtesy of Scottish Natural Heritage) NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. The dramatic Corrie Fee with massive rock outcrops (photograph courtesy of Scottish Natural Heritage) 8.3 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Clova NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.3.1 Landscape Character ¥ The relatively level floodplain along the glen floor is flanked by evenly graded, steep slopes rising to craggy summits and corries ¥ The side slopes have been steepened and roughened by glaciers retreating south east which has resulted in a rim of extensive craggy outcrops along the upper slopes above long screes and huge, bouldery rock falls ¥ The glen floor has been worked flat by the River South Esk, which meanders across the flood plain ¥ The well drained side slopes dominated by grassland and some regenerating or remnant birch woodland ¥ Where still farmed, the flat land is fenced into broadly square shaped, late 18th/19th century improved fields, the boundaries supplemented by the occasional dyke especially along the roadside ¥ A large part of the glen floor is planted with an extensive commercial ¥ There is a pronounced settlement pattern as nearly all farmsteads, some of which are now redundant due to afforestation, are located at the edge of the glen floor, where there is a break in slope. ¥ Many of these late 18th/19th century farmsteads are on the sites of older pre-improvement farmsteads, the earlier field systems of small fields, remnant walls and ruined buildings having survived above the floodplain ¥ An additional cluster of buildings congregates at the end point of the tarmac road, including farms and a lodge house, as well as a ranger station and the car park. All the buildings sit back against the steep glen sides ¥ The single track road hugs the break in slope on the northern side of the glen, set against the foot of the steep slopes 8.3.2 Landscape experience ¥ The steep sided hills, emphasised by their height, create a very pronounced sense of enclosure ¥ The strongly linear alignment of the glen creates very focussed views along the glen floor, framed by the even gradient of the side slopes ¥ The woodland on the valley floor partially limits these views along the glen, and hides the level flood plain and settlement pattern 8.3.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas This character area is inter-visible with Glen Doll and mid Glen Clova. Views to these adjacent character area are dramatised by the ÔframingÕ effects of the steep side slopes when viewed from the road in this part of the glen, although they are sometimes obscured by forestry. 8.3.4 Assessment of distinctiveness The ÔlinearityÕ of the glen is very pronounced, reinforced by the evenly graded side slopes, and relatively level ridgelines, creating long, well-framed views. The rock falls, which include huge boulders, are a dramatic feature. There is a strong, historic link between evenly spaced farmsteads and the break in slope. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Extensive woodland and grassland fields across the flood plain NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. The steep side slopes are frequently covered by extensive, dramatic bouldery rock falls 8.4 Angus Glens: Mid Glen Clova NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.4.1 Landscape Character ¥ The side slopes of the glen are less steep and more irregular than those of the Upper Glen, with more varied gradients including gentle slopes and glacial deposits draped across ledges of erosion-resistant bedrock ¥ The upper slopes, steepened and roughened by glacial activity, rise above screes and boulder fields to a rim of corries and cliffs, especially on the northern side of the glen ¥ The glen floor is characterised by numerous, often interlocking, small hummocks of fluvial-glacial deposits which are interspersed by small stretches of floodplain, creating a complex, small scale topography ¥ The River South Esk meanders across the glen floor, winding between the knolls of deposit and occasionally working them flat, especially near the village of Clova ¥ The well drained hummocks are often topped by birch woodland over grassland, which may be remnant wood pasture ¥ There are a few linear late 18th/19th century improved fields on the level land near to Clova village, but most of the glen floor is more extensively grazed with loosely defined fenced fields ¥ Upland grassland extends up onto the side slopes, although extensive areas of broadleaves and some commercial conifer forest also occupy the lower slopes, particularly on slacker, more accessible gradients ¥ Settlement focuses on the village of Clova, which is clustered around the road junction and river crossing, above the flood plain ¥ There are also farms and houses located at intervals along the edge of the glen floor, where there is a break in slope, adjacent to the road ¥ These edges are also where earlier, pre-improvement farmsteads, with remnant walls of earlier field systems along with occasional ruined buildings have survived above the floodplain ¥ The roads hug the break in slope at both sides of the glen, winding up and over, as well as around, the hummocky terrain along the edge of the valley floor 8.4.2 Landscape experience ¥ The strongly linear alignment of the glen creates focussed views along the glen floor, framed by the side slopes ¥ The small scale of the hummocky terrain provides a contrast in scale with the expanse and height of the mountain ridges ¥ The roads follow the dips and ridges of the landform, allowing the traveller to feel the Ôlie of the landÕ 8.4.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas This character area is inter-visible with Upper Glen Clova and the sides of the glen frame views north westwards to the twin summits of Craig Mellon and Cairn Broadlands in Glen Doll. 8.4.4 Assessment of distinctiveness The interlocking low hummocks of well-drained glacial deposit across the glen floor is very apparent and often reinforced by the presence of open birch woodland on the knolls. There is a clear pattern of dispersed settlement, tucked into the hummocky terrain at the edge of the floor of the glen. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. The road follows the ups and downs of the underlying terrain NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Possible remnant wood pasture on hummocks of glacial-fluvial deposit NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Distinct hummocky, gravelly deposits 8.5 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Prosen NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.5.1 Landscape Character ¥ This wide glen is the least contained of all the Angus glens, with gentle slopes and shallow side glens leading to a sequence of individual, low summits and long ridges ¥ There are some craggy upper slopes and screes and boulder fields created by glacial retreat, most pronounced around the northern, inner most reaches of the glen ¥ The lower slopes and floor of the glen are characterised by extensive areas of poorly drained, clayey deposits ¥ The hill side vegetation is dominated by a mosaic of grass and heather moorland, actively burned, and extensive areas of conifer woodland, some reaching well into the glen ¥ Broadly straight edged, late 18th/19th century improved fields, some of which are contained by drystone dykes, are located on irregular, well drained gravelly deposits towards the south of the glen ¥ There are occasional small shelter woods associated with the settlements ¥ Settlement is sparse, based at Runtaleave and Glenprosen Lodge, which are located at the end of the public road, with Old Craig a more remote lodge part way up the glen ¥ There is evidence of pre-improvement settlement and land use along the glen floor, including ridge and furrow patterns and turf dykes stretching far up this glen ¥ Access is limited to tracks and paths, some associated with forestry and shooting, others with access to higher surrounding munros and passes to neighbouring glens ¥ The narrow public road stops near Glenprosen Lodge 8.5.2 Landscape experience ¥ The area is secluded, but not remote ¥ The glen is not as enclosed as other Angus glens, an experience which is reinforced by the views along the side glens and long spurs as well as the gentle gradients of the lower slopes ¥ There is a pronounced sense of ÔgatewayÕ created by enclosing topography and a narrow glen floor, just at Glenprosen Lodge and the Park boundary 8.5.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas The glen is relatively self contained, with little opportunity for inter-visibility with other character areas from lower levels. 8.5.4 Assessment of distinctiveness The shallow side glens reinforce the open, wide, shallowness of the glen, although this is in part counteracted by the enclosure created by the extensive woodland. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Woodland at Old Craig, with felled woodland on the slopes behind, extending into the interior of the glen NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Improved pasture along the lower glen floor NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Evidence of pre-improvement land use, including rigs, and walls containing more recent late 18th/19th century improved fields NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. The glen narrows to create a ÔgatewayÕ at the Park boundary 8.6 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Isla NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. 8.6.1 Landscape Character ¥ The narrow valley floor is contained by west facing side slopes which are smooth and often gently graded. The east facing slopes have been steepened and roughened by glaciers, resulting in craggy upper slopes above screes ¥ A series of narrow side glens carved by tributaries of the River Isla converge at the junction of Glen Cally and the upper Glen Isla ¥ The glacial-fluvial deposits along the glen floor have been worked into a narrow floodplain by the meandering River Isla ¥ A mosaic of heather and grass moor extends over the hill slopes, with pasture on the well-drained and gentle lower slopes as well as the floodplain ¥ There are shelter woods associated with the clusters of settlement, and a large area of conifer woodland surrounding Tulchan Lodge ¥ The few buildings, including Tulchan Lodge, are located at the confluence of glens, on alluvial fans associated with tributaries of the River Isla ¥ These well drained alluvial fans are the focus for the late 18th/19th century farmsteads, regularly shaped fields and small shelter woods ¥ The floodplain is often less well drained, and in many areas is rushy pasture or wetland, partially enclosed by fences including deer fences ¥ The well defined and striking pattern of dykes at the abandoned farm at Craigmekie, elevated on better-drained glacial-fluvial deposits, is a particular feature ¥ The narrow public road is tucked in against the western flank of the glen just above the floodplain as far as Auchavan, from where most of this area is only accessible by paths and private vehicle tracks ¥ The area is relatively popular for walkers, although there is little provision for parking or other facilities 8.6.2 Landscape experience ¥ The area is relatively open, with gentle gradients and views up side valleys limiting the experience of enclosure ¥ The area is a transition between the more cultivated and settled southern parts of Glen Isla and the more remote head of the glen 8.6.3 Relationship to adjacent character areas This character area is relatively self contained, but it provides a ÔgatewayÕ to the more remote and rugged head of Glen Isla, and therefore contributes to a gradual transition from a more settled and obviously managed landscape to a more remote hinterland. 8.6.4 Assessment of distinctiveness The abandoned, but nevertheless prominent, field system at Craigmeckie is a distinctive singular feature in this area, although not a widespread characteristic. There is a strong relationship between the settlement, farmland and the well-drained deposits at the convergence of the two main watercourses. NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Buildings sheltered by woodlands at the end of the narrow public road NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Gentle side slopes, especially those facing west NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Fields and pasture on better drained deposits the abandoned farm at Craigmeckie sits on these slopes NOTE: This section contains images which cannot be converted to text. Please see the original PDF for reference. Settlement and shelter woods associated with the well drained alluvial fan and watercourses