Tap into water and woodland

Loch of Lintrathen, Kirriemuir, Angus

N estled in the folds of Glen Isla, Loch of Lintrathen has been the source of Dundee’s water for almost a century and a half, commissioned at a time when industrial growth was hampered by inadequate supply and living conditions were insanitary, prompting periodic outbreaks of cholera.

In 1875, the city fathers spotted a small lochan on the Melgam Water, west of Kirriemuir, in the Angus countryside, raised a dam and, through a lengthy network of aqueducts and conduits, piped the water south.

Over subsequent years, the system was enlarged to meet growing demand with Backwater Reservoir, four miles to the north, brought on stream in 1969, and both continue to supply hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.

A road looping around Loch of Lintrathen forms the backbone of this walk but, depending on water levels, there are plenty of spots where it is possible to explore the shoreline.

Parking is limited but I found a space in the larger of the laybys on the west side of the water and set off along the quiet, single-track lane.

While Scottish Water manages the reservoir, the surrounding woodland is a nature reserve run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. In summer, breeding songbirds like the yellowhammer, tree sparrow, bullfinch and spotted flycatcher proliferate while, off-season, it attracts wintering wildfowl.

Beyond Kinloch Cottage, a path branches right through the trees, leading to a hide perched at the end of a promontory. Unfortunately, when I visited, it was closed due to a wasps’ nest inside, but I proceeded to the shoreline, exploring what would be an island were water levels higher.

There is another hide on the far side of the loch and, after following the road over Melgam Water and round to an old wooden boatshed below the farm at Foldend, an exposed spit of land led me to it, a relaxing location to sit, enjoy the view and perhaps see some wildlife.

Back on the road, I re-crossed Melgam Water by 19th Century Lintrathen

Bridge, which sits below the grassy embankment dam and spillway, and wandered through Bridgend of Lintrathen, where a wee café offers a place to pause for refreshment.

The road rises steadily south from the dam and, with the outlook now largely open, there are some fine views across the loch towards the hills of Glen Isla, one of the most prominent peaks the nearby Knock of Formal.

At the southern end of the loch, hidden away in the trees, there are two lodges built at the time of the reservoir, a pier used by anglers and a rather ornate sandstone gate while, across the road, the modern-day waterworks prepares the water for its onward journey.

Turning north by the gate and West Lodge, I found the shoreline again beyond a wooden gate and, negotiating a couple of fallen trees and hopping over some small streams, managed to hike the beach all the way to the ‘island’.

Bidding the water farewell, I knew we would soon meet again – when I returned home and turned the tap on to make a cuppa.

ROUTE

1. Bear left out of layby and follow minor road north-east. Ignore track branching left at Kinloch Cottage and continue ahead to layby at Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) gate on right.

2. Detour right through gate, following woodland path to hide, before returning to road and progressing north to junction.

3. Turn right and follow B951 east to junction at Blanche Cottage. Fork right, descending minor road.

4. Approaching farm on left, detour right on path to wooden boat house and shoreline before returning to and continuing along minor road.

5. Detour right down path to SWT hide before continuing along road to junction.

6. Turn right into Bridgend of Lintrathen, cross Lintrathen Bridge and continue south-west along lochside road.

7. Bear right, remaining on main road, and walk west past waterworks to Peel Farm Cottages/west Lodge junction.

8. Turn right and follow road north back to start.

Loch of Lintrathen; the telephone box in Bridgend of Lintrathen; and Lintrathen Bridge.