Things to do in Glen Ogil

The Falls of Drumly Harry represent one of the more secluded cascades in the Angus Glens of Scotland, tumbling along the Nora Water in the remote and atmospheric Glen Ogil. This waterfall forms part of a network of hill burns that drain the southern slopes of the eastern Grampian mountains, where the Nora Water gathers strength from numerous tributaries before eventually joining the River South Esk. The falls themselves occur where the stream encounters a band of harder metamorphic rock, creating a scenic drop that varies considerably with seasonal rainfall. During the wet months of autumn and winter, the falls can become a thundering torrent, whilst summer often sees them reduced to a modest trickle over moss-covered stones, though even in drier conditions the surrounding glen maintains its verdant character. Glen Ogil itself is a relatively narrow valley that cuts through the rounded hills characteristic of this part of Angus, with the Nora Water serving as the glen's principal watercourse. The geology of the area is dominated by metamorphic rocks that were formed during ancient mountain-building episodes, subsequently shaped by glaciation during the ice ages. These glacial processes carved out the glen's distinctive U-shaped profile and left behind numerous features including moraines and erratic boulders. The bedrock underlying the Falls of Drumly Harry likely consists of schists or similar foliated metamorphic rocks, which weather at different rates to create the ledges and steps that characterize the waterfall's structure. The surrounding landscape shows evidence of the extensive forestry and agricultural use that has shaped the Scottish uplands over centuries, though pockets of native woodland persist in the steeper, less accessible sections of the glen. The name "Drumly Harry" is intriguing and speaks to the rich tradition of place-naming in Scotland, though the specific origin of this particular appellation remains somewhat obscure. "Drumly" is a Scots word meaning muddy, cloudy, or turbid, which could well describe the appearance of the water during spate conditions when heavy rain causes the burn to run brown with suspended sediment from the peaty moorland above. The addition of "Harry" suggests a personal name, perhaps commemorating a local character or landowner from centuries past, though without documented historical records it is difficult to establish the exact person or story behind the name. Such naming practices are common throughout the Scottish Highlands and Southern Uplands, where waterfalls, pools, and other landscape features often bear the names of shepherds, cattle drovers, or other individuals who worked the land. Access to the Falls of Drumly Harry requires a degree of determination, as Glen Ogil is not among the more frequented glens in Angus despite its natural beauty. The area is reached via minor roads that branch off from the larger valley systems to the south, with the grid reference NO452624 placing the falls in the upper reaches of the glen where the terrain becomes increasingly rugged. Walkers exploring this area should be prepared for typical Scottish hill conditions, including potentially boggy ground, changeable weather, and the absence of waymarked paths in the immediate vicinity of the falls. The remote nature of the location means that visitors are likely to enjoy considerable solitude, though this also necessitates appropriate preparation, navigation skills, and awareness of safety considerations when venturing into upland terrain. The wildlife of Glen Ogil and the surrounding hills reflects the characteristic fauna of the eastern Grampians, with red grouse, mountain hares, and red deer among the more visible species in the area. The burns and streams support populations of brown trout, whilst dippers can often be spotted bobbing on rocks in the faster-flowing sections of the Nora Water. The vegetation around the Falls of Drumly Harry transitions from improved pasture in the lower glen to heather moorland and rough grassland on the higher slopes, with patches of bracken colonizing areas of intermediate altitude. Raptors such as buzzards and the occasional golden eagle may be seen quartering the hillsides in search of prey, whilst smaller passerines including meadow pipits and skylarks provide a soundtrack to summer walks in the glen. The Falls of Drumly Harry exemplify the understated beauty of Scotland's lesser-known waterfalls, lacking the fame of major attractions like the Falls of Glomach or the Grey Mare's Tail but offering rewards to those willing to seek them out. The waterfall contributes to the ecological and aesthetic character of Glen Ogil, creating localized habitat diversity through the spray zone that maintains moisture-loving plants and the pools below the falls that provide refuges for aquatic life. For those interested in the hydrology and geomorphology of upland Scotland, such features demonstrate the ongoing processes of erosion and sediment transport that continue to shape the landscape millennia after the retreat of the last glaciers.