It’s hard to believe that little more than a century ago, as much was probably known about the surface of the moon as was known about the wilds of Antarctica.
It was in a cottage near Dykehead, at the entrance to Glen Prosen, that Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Dr Edward Adrian Wilson planned their Terra Nova expedition.
The expedition would see them stand at the South Pole on January 17, 1912. But it would be an expedition from which, sadly, neither would return.
At “Scott’s View” in the glen stands a fitting memorial carved from a massive block of grey granite. At around 12 miles long, Glen Prosen may be the shortest of the Angus Glens, but its quiet beauty makes it one of my favourites.
The drive through the glen ends at the hamlet of Glenprosen. There are just one or two houses, a village hall and a wee church.
In times past, the minister of Prosen also served the folks of neighbouring Glen Clova. Every Sunday, come rain or shine, he and his trusty pony would set off to cross the hills on the four-mile-long track that has ever since been known as “The Minister’s Road”.
Now a Right of Way, this was the walk I had planned for today. On the return, a wee detour would take me over the top of Knachly Hill.
On days like this, the journey must have fair uplifted the minister’s spirits. Not so sure it would have had the same appeal in the depths of winter, though!
See more of Willie’s travels around Scotland.
