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Walker in yellow coat balances on frost-covered rocks beside a rushing river
Aberdeenshire

River North Esk

Welcome

Stretching 47 kilometres from Scotland’s eastern coast, just north of Montrose, to the Water of Lee in the Cairngorms, River North Esk provides a boundary between Aberdeenshire and Angus along parts of its course.

The river is well known for its salmon. It is a spate river, rising and falling with the rain, and September and October are usually the best months for fishing. The North Esk has many tributaries, among them the Water of Effock and the West Water. The Rocks of Solitude are a local beauty spot, a series of waterfalls where the river runs through a narrow gorge.

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.4 min by roadSee itSinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.
Close by
  1. The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.Edzell Blue Door WalkUnder a mile 2 min by road
  2. Edzell Castle's red ruin and its walled garden seen from the air.Edzell Castle3 miles 6 min by road
  3. 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.4 miles 7 min by road
  4. The tall copper stills in Fettercairn's stillhouse, among steel walkways.Fettercairn Distillery5 miles 8 min by road
  5. The pale stone ring of the White Caterthun on its hilltop, Strathmore beyond.The Brown and White Caterthuns6 miles 10 min by road
Directions
Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.RestaurantsSinclair’s Larder1.6 miles
The stone buildings and pagoda-roofed kiln of Glencadam Distillery, Brechin.AttractionsGlencadam Distillery7.2 miles
The green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.AttractionsCaledonian Railway7.5 miles
Church nave with wooden pews facing a stained glass window and organ pipesAttractionsBrechin Cathedral7.5 miles
The River South Esk running clear over rocks between wooded banks.AttractionsRiver South Esk8.2 miles
Green sign reading "Garden Centre Coffee Shop" above a shop entrance with £1 pounder displaysActivityBrechin Castle Centre8.8 miles
The white front of the Retreat at Tarfside, with tall chimneys and a red-framed window.AttractionsGlenesk Folk Museum10 miles
Westerton Farm, AberdeenshireCafeWesterton Farm11 miles
Stone arched bridge spanning a wide river beneath a cloudy blue skyAttractionsBridge of Dun12 miles
This morning · The Black Water, Garve
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What is on near Aberdeenshire, every morning at five

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near River North 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
  • 10 miles from River North Esk
Free 29–30 OctA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glen Dye
  • 10 miles from River North Esk
Free 17–19 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
  • 10 miles from River North 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
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 10 miles from River North Esk
Free 18–20 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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