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Kirriemuir - The Kirrie Glens - Glen Isla

Glenisla is one of the Kirrie Glens, and the only one where the road exits to the north, as well as the south, so you can drive through the Grampian hills to Braemar and Deeside. Glen Isla is the most westerly of the Angus Glens, and the only one that is a through route for cars. It is made up of six parishes along the River Isla; Glenisla, Kilry and Lintrathen to the north; and, Airlie, Ruthven and Kingoldrum to the south. One of the more significant and the most westerly of the Angus Glens, Glen Isla is a wide valley in the southern Grampians, between Glen Shee and Glen Prosen. Located along the border with Perth and Kinross, the head of the glen lies close to the border with Aberdeenshire. The River Isla flows south and then southeast into the Valley of Strathmore. Part of the glen was once the property of the Abbey at Coupar Angus, but passed to the Campbells of Argyll after the Reformation. Other parts were the property of the Ogilvies of Airlie, and the two families feuded from the late 16th century, reaching a climax in 1640 with the burning of Forter Castle in the Glen. A road from Alyth passes through the lower and middle reaches of the Glen and connects with the A93 in Glen Shee. Below are some scenes of Glen Isla.

[Forter Castle]
Forter Castle - October 1997

Forter Castle, otherwise known as the "Bonny Hoose o' Airlie", is celebrated in the song by the same title, is in scenic Glenisla. It is private property. At the time of this photo it was up for sale.

King Charles I, wanting to enforce the Episcopacy and "divine right of kings" against their rejection by the Covenanters, chose to fight the Scots with intrigue and skirmishes instead of all-out war. The Campbells, under Argyll, were on the side of the Covenant. Ogilvie, Lord of Airlie, was on the side of the Crown. The song "The Bonny Hoose o' Airlie" celebrated the events of 1640 when Argyll received a commission of "fire and sword" against Airlie from the Scottish Committee of the Estates.

Forter Castle, Glen Isla was a former stronghold of the Ogilvies that was stormed along with Airlie Castle by the Campbells of Inverewe in 1640 on the instructions of Archibald Campbell, the 8th Earl of Argyll (1598 - 1661).

[Forter Castle]
Another view of Forter Castle - October 1997

"Gin the great Sir John had been at hame
As he's this nicht wi' Charlie
There durst na a Campbell in a' the west
Hae plundered the bonnie house o' Airlie"

See more about the National Covenant and King Charles' Episcopacy.

[Forter Castle]
Glen Isla - October 1997

This is a view of some of the beautiful scenery in Glenisla - the westernmost of the Kirrie Glens.

[A road through Glenisla]
Glen Isla - October 1997

This is a view of a road - the B951 - through Glenisla, travelling between Kingoldrum and Alyth.

[A road - the B951 - through Glenisla]
Glen Isla - October 1997

This is another view of a road - the B951 - through Glenisla.

[Another view of Genisla]
Glen Isla - October 1997

This is another of several views of some of the beautiful scenery in Glenisla with the Sidlaw Hills to one side and foothillls to the other.

[Another view of Genisla]
Glen Isla - October 1997

This is another of several views of some of the beautiful scenery in Glenisla. "The Bonnie Sidlaw Hills" is the title of verse by the world's best-know master of doggerel, William McGonagall of Dundee. He gave up his job as a handloom weaver in Dundee to become a poet. His fans now include JK Rowling, who named Harry Potter's teacher Professor McGonagall. William McGonagall would make en entire topic - one to lengthy to present here.

Then, bonnie Clara, will you go
And wander with me to and fro?
And with joy our hearts will o'erflow
When we go to the bonnie Sidlaws O.

[Another view of Genisla]
Glen Isla - October 1997