The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.

Angus

Edzell Blue Door Walk

A riverside walk from Edzell through a little blue door in an estate wall by Gannochy Bridge, then up the gorge of the North Esk to the Rocks of Solitude.

Welcome

A mile north of Edzell, where the road crosses the River North Esk at Gannochy Bridge, a small blue door is set into a long stone estate wall.

It looks like the way into someone's garden, but open it and step through, and you are on a path that follows the river up into a wild wooded gorge.

The North Esk here runs down off the Highlands, and the path climbs above it through the trees, with the river crashing over ledges and through deep pools far below. This is close to the Highland Boundary Fault, where the soft rolling country of the Lowlands meets the harder, older rocks of the hills, and the gorge is full of waterfalls, cliffs and strange rock shapes. Its most dramatic stretch is known as the Rocks of Solitude.

The walk can start in Edzell itself, following the river north, and returns along the quiet Glen Esk road. Autumn, with the leaves turning, is the finest time of all.

A short drive awaySinclair’s LarderA bright café bistro on Edzell's High Street, with fresh seasonal food, home baking and good coffee, open seven days a week.2 min by roadSee it

Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.

Before you go

Free, at any time.

Start in Edzell, or park near Gannochy Bridge on the B966 a mile north of the village; the path by the river is narrow and can be muddy, with drops to the water.

Start: Edzell, or Gannochy Bridge on the B966.
Destination: The Rocks of Solitude, up the North Esk.

Where it is

On the River North Esk just north of Edzell, from Gannochy Bridge on the B966.

Close byEdzell.