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The white front of the Retreat at Tarfside, with tall chimneys and a red-framed window.
Aberdeenshire

Glenesk Folk Museum

A folk museum and café in the Retreat at Tarfside, high in Glen Esk, telling the life of the glen and run largely by volunteers.

Welcome

Fifteen miles up the long, winding road into Glen Esk from Edzell, where the fields give way to heather hills, a white lodge with tall chimneys and a bright red door stands by the road near Tarfside.

This is the Retreat, the home of the Glenesk Folk Museum.

The museum tells the story of the people of the glen and their way of life, in rooms full of their furniture, pictures and belongings, laid out as if the family had just stepped out. It is run largely by volunteers.

The café serves home baking, hot drinks and soup lunches, with afternoon teas made to order, and the building is fully accessible, with a lift to the upper floor. It opens from Friday to Sunday, and as the glen is remote it is worth ringing before a long drive.

A short drive awayInvermark CastleA tall ruined tower house of the Lindsays at the head of Glen Esk by Loch Lee, built to guard the glen against Highland raiders.18 min by roadSee itAerial view of a loch feeding a river through a glen with green fields
Before you go

Open Friday to Sunday, 12 noon to 4pm, as volunteers and the weather allow; ring 01356 670291 before a long drive.

The café serves home baking and soup lunches; afternoon teas need a day's notice.

Where
The Retreat, Tarfside, Glen Esk DD9 7YT.
Telephone
01356 670291.

Opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
noon–4pm
Saturday
noon–4pm
Sunday
noon–4pm
Where it is

At the Retreat near Tarfside, high in Glen Esk, about fifteen miles up the glen road from Edzell.

Close byGlen Esk.
  1. Stone arch topped with a cross stands alone in a glenQueen's Well6 miles18 min by road
  2. The river running down the head of Glen Esk towards the hills.Loch Lee6 miles20 min by road
  3. The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.Edzell Blue Door WalkThrough a blue door to the gorge of the North Esk.9 miles23 min by road
  4. Edzell Castle's red ruin and its walled garden seen from the air.Edzell CastleThe Lindsays' red sandstone castle and its walled garden of 1604.12 miles27 min by road
  5. The tall copper stills in Fettercairn's stillhouse, among steel walkways.Fettercairn DistilleryA distillery at the foot of the Grampians.13 miles29 min by road
Directions
Aerial view of a loch feeding a river through a glen with green fieldsAttractionsInvermark Castle5.8 miles
Walker in yellow coat balances on frosty rocks beside a riverAttractionsRiver North Esk10 miles
Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.RestaurantsSinclair’s Larder11 miles
The tall stone Royal Arch over the street in Fettercairn.CafeThe Arch Café and Bistro13 miles
The pale stone ring of the White Caterthun on its hilltop, Strathmore beyond.AttractionsThe Brown and White Caterthuns15 miles
Sofas flank a window framed by red curtains looking out to a garden and outbuilding, a coffee table set with candles and a small house-shaped ornament between them.StrachanThe Hay Loft at GlendyeSleeps 4 · 22 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and teal door sits behind a lawn, a striped bench and timber fence framing the garden.AberdeenshireThe Bothy, GlendyeSleeps 2 · 22 miles
Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesBanchoryNorth Lodge and River CabinSleeps 6 · 22 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.BanchoryNo 4 Steading CottageSleeps 7 · 22 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the museum, and when each is next free.

Stone tower with turret roof surrounded by pine trees at duskTower O'Ess
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Aboyne
  • 8 miles from the Glenesk Folk Museum
Free 28–30 OctA stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Banchory
  • 10 miles from the Glenesk Folk Museum
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovTimber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 10 miles from the Glenesk Folk Museum
Free 11–13 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and teal door sits behind a lawn, a striped bench and timber fence framing the garden.The Bothy, Glendye
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 10 miles from the Glenesk Folk Museum
Free 16–18 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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