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A river winds through grassy moorland towards a hillside loch and small hut
Angus

Glen Esk

Welcome

Few drives have such an end-of-the-road feeling as Glen Esk, the most easterly of the Angus Glens.

A single road runs north from Edzell for fifteen miles, following the North Esk through farmland and then heather, and simply stops at Invermark. Along the way you pass Tarfside, a village of a few houses and a church. The Glenesk Folk Museum is in an old shooting lodge, and its tearoom is handy on the drive home. Past the road end, a track leads to the ruined tower of Invermark Castle and on to Loch Lee. A walk round the loch takes in two waterfalls. Bring lunch, because there's nowhere to buy one beyond the museum.

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.15 min by roadSee itSinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.
Close by
  1. The white front of the Retreat at Tarfside, with tall chimneys and a red-framed window.Glenesk Folk MuseumA folk museum and café in the Retreat at Tarfside, high in Glen Esk, telling the life of the glen and run largely by volunteers.4 miles9 min by road
  2. The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.Edzell Blue Door Walk6 miles14 min by road
  3. Walker in yellow coat balances on frosty rocks beside a riverRiver North EskStretching 47 kilometres from Scotland’s eastern coast, just north of Montrose, to the Water of Lee in the Cairngorms6 miles16 min by road
  4. Edzell Castle's red ruin and its walled garden seen from the air.Edzell Castle8 miles18 min by road
  5. The tall stone Royal Arch over the street in Fettercairn.The Arch Café and BistroA cosy café and bistro by Fettercairn's royal arch, with gluten-free baking and a Friday chippy night.9 miles18 min by road
Directions
Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.RestaurantsSinclair’s Larder6.9 miles
The tall copper stills in Fettercairn's stillhouse, among steel walkways.AttractionsFettercairn Distillery9.3 miles
Aerial view of a loch feeding a river through a glen with green fieldsAttractionsInvermark Castle9.5 miles
Stone arch topped with a cross stands alone in a glenAttractionsQueen's Well9.5 miles
The river running down the head of Glen Esk towards the hills.AttractionsLoch Lee9.7 miles
The pale stone ring of the White Caterthun on its hilltop, Strathmore beyond.AttractionsThe Brown and White Caterthuns12 miles
Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesBanchoryNorth Lodge and River CabinSleeps 6 · 19 miles
A stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.StrachanCuttieshillockSleeps 6 · 19 miles
A stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.StrachanGamekeeper’s CottageSleeps 6 · 19 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Glen Esk, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 8 miles from Glen Esk
Free 11–13 NovA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 8 miles from Glen Esk
Free 16–18 OctA stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 8 miles from Glen Esk
Free 2–4 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 8 miles from Glen Esk
Free 18–20 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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