The Cat Law hill, marking the southern approaches to Glenprosen was once a favourite site for the first recorded battle in Scottish history in 83AD, when the Roman general Agricola invaded Scotland.

More certain are the traces of several iron age "earth houses" in the glen, however most of the archaeological remains are from medieval or later times; turf dykes, and the remains of shielings. Some of these would have been occupied only during the summer pasturing on the hills, others were small farmhouses; the extent of their in-bye lands still visible from the earth dykes that preceded present day stone ones. Rig and furrow, the system of cultivating such land practised until the mid nineteenth century, is evident in many places in the Glen, notably on the slopes around Glencally and Spott farms.

King Robert issued 2 Acts from Glenprosen, in the late 14th century, presumably whilst on a deer hunting expedition. The earliest records (see http://www.glenprosen.co.uk/archive1.htm ) show the Lindsays owning most of the Glen. For all the seventeenth century, the Grahams of Fintry (one of whom is perhaps best known as patron of Robert Burns) owned the glen. The ruined Episcopal chapel at Balnaboth has Graham arms from 1625.

An incident around this time, in 1602, has lived on in the records when "a band of the Clan Ronnald having swooped down from the hills and driven off a prey, were pursued by the inhabitants, and engaged at Cairnwell, in the parish of Kingoldrum, on the 4th of August".

Other feudal superiors have included the monks of Arbroath Abbey and the Earls of Douglas and Home, but the Ogilvy's of Clova gradually took over, and by 1745 owned all the upper part of the glen down to Lednathie and Cortachy.

By 1790 the minister writing the Statistical Account referred to the inhabitants as "frugal and industrious, and enjoy, in a reasonable degree, the comforts and advantages of society. They are not fond of a military or seafaring life. They seem content with their situation and circumstances, and are regular in their attendance on the ordinances of public worship".

In common with most of the rest of Highland Scotland the 1850's saw many of the smaller holdings bought out and large sheep farms established. At this time too the roads were metalled and stone bridges erected. The houses that received slate roofs at this time, in place of turf or heather, are the ones that have survived to this day.

The sheep farms remain today, some, such as Cormuir, greatly expanded to include the whole of the upper glen, but with greatly diminished incomes.

Fifty years ago each farm had several cottages and bothies for workers, but few, if any, farm workers are now employed and the dwellings are now occupied by those earning their livings outside the glen, or used as holiday cottages.

There was a primary school in Prosen village until 1988 when it closed, and the remaining pupils transferred to Cortachy.

Use of the village hall has declined since the 1970's, but Council assistance has recently seen a major programme of refurbishment. Kirriemuir is the local metropolis, though most major attractions are in Dundee. The development of the village hall down country at Memus as a "Glens" hall with a large variety of amenities is an interesting new focus, hopefully not to the detriment the more peripheral glen communities.

Sir James Barrie, author of Peter Pan, and born in Kirriemuir, loved the Glens of Angus and wrote of them in his books. He used to rent Balnaboth House in the 1930's where his visitors included prime minister Ramsay Macdonald, and the then princesses Elizabeth and Margaret with their parents, future King and Queen.