No. of Days
3
Transport
Theme
- Coast and Waters
- Nature and Wildlife
Highlights and Delights
Explore the 50-mile Wild South Esk trail, home to some of the most exciting wildlife in Scotland.
DAY 1 – EXPLORE THE LOCATIONS
Location 1: Glen Doll
Our first stop on the Wild South Esk trail will take you to Glen Doll. One of the stunning Angus Glens, Glen Doll is hugely popular with walkers and has a range of trails to explore. The White Water, which flows through Glen Doll, joins the River South Esk at Braedownie.
One of the four marked trails at Glen Doll will take you to Corrie Fee, an impressive amphitheatre carved into the rocks by a glacier some 12,000 years ago. The corrie is a truly impressive sight not to be missed.
Watch out for Golden Eagle and rare alpine plants including dwarf willow and blue sow thistle at this location.
Image Credit – ©Lorne Gill/SNH
Location 2: Loch Brandy
Your second stop for day two is Loch Brandy, located high in the hills that border Glen Clova. The loch is typical of the remote pools that dot Cairngorm mountains.
Look out for mountain hare high on the hills – the elusive wildcat spend the summer months in the cooler upland areas too. The loch is also home to hydra. These tiny creatures have tentacles armed with stinging cells that paralyse worms and tiny crustaceans before eating them.
At the end of day one, why not enjoy a relaxing stay at the Glen Clova Hotel? The hotel has 18 elegant bedrooms, 9 luxury lodges, two restaurants and a bar serving delicious local produce – perfect after a day of exploring.
DAY 2 – EXPLORE THE LOCATIONS
Location 1: Tulloch Hill
For your first stop on day two, head to Tulloch Hill – easily recognisable by the impressive Airlie Monument which sits upon it. This monument was erected in memory of the11th Earl of Airlie who was killed in the Boer War on 11th June 1900.
The path to the monument leads through larch woodland and onto the open moorland. Once at the top, you will be rewarded by stunning views of the valley below and the surrounding countryside.
Watch out for pine marten and merlin at this location.
Location 2: Cortachy
Next up on your Wild South Esk adventure is Cortachy. This location marks a change in the journey of the River South Esk, where it drops from the uplands of Glen Clova and Prosen to the wide farmland further downstream.
It’s a beautiful place to explore at any time of year, and full of wildlife that loves trees. Watch out for red squirrel, the great spotted woodpecker and jays here.
Image credit – © Ian Preston
DAY 3 – EXPLORE THE LOCATIONS
Location 1: The Lurgies
Your first stop on your final day takes you to The Lurgies at Montrose Basin. Before the end of its journey to the sea, the River South Esk flows through the wide bowl of Montrose Basin. At high tide, the basin is a broad, salty loch and at low tide it’s a vast stretch of mud flats, salt marsh and tidal pools.
Montrose Basin is a Local Nature Reserve and of international importance for birdlife. On its southern edge you will find Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre visitor with viewing equipment available for visitors to use. There are also some fantastic walks around the basin with hides located in every corner.
Watch out for pink-footed geese, kingfisher and otter at this location.
Location 2: Ferryden
Your final stop takes you to Ferryden, where the river finally joins the sea. The tide makes powerful surges in the water, stirring up food for fish, seals, and sea birds.
Follow the track above the river to the lighthouse at Scurdie Ness, passing dramatic rocks down on the shore and features that once helped boats find their way safely into the harbour.
Watch out for eider duck, seals and bottlenose dolphin at this location.
Image credit – © Claire Lacey
That’s all we have time for on this trip, but please have a safe journey home and make sure to visit Angus again very soon!
This itinerary offers just a flavour of the full trail. You can personalise this and substitute locations if there are others you would rather visit. Or if you have longer to spare, why not take a look at our five-day itinerary and follow the entire trail?
We’ve made some suggestions for accommodation throughout this itinerary, but please take a look at the Visit Angus website where you can see a huge range of places to choose from. There’s a fantastic choice of accommodation in Angus, including several camping and caravanning sites, luxury lodges and a choice of hotels, guest houses and self-catering cottages to suit all budgets.
The website also features a variety of places to eat throughout Angus as well as some of our fantastic food and drink producers so you can get some tasty goodies and enjoy a picnic on your travels. Please remember to leave no trace and keep Angus beautiful for all.
Travel Information
There’s an excellent and varied choice of places to stay – B&Bs overlooking the sea, farm stays, camping and caravanning sites in the heart of the countryside and hotels with swimming pools are just a few of the possibilities.
Angus has a great selection of family-friendly, welcoming restaurants, cafés and bistros, with menus to suit all budgets. Browse places to eat and drink in Angus.
Angus has an excellent roads infrastructure, with the A90 connecting the area to Aberdeen, Perth and Edinburgh, and the A92 serving the coastal area. There’s a good choice of public transport, with buses and trains linking towns and villages to each other and to Dundee, as well as good connections to places further afield.
In the more remote areas of Angus, and in the Angus Glens, a car is required. However, once you get here, the roads in this part of Angus are very good for cycling. Find out more information about bike hire or, if you would like to hire an electric bike.
Find out more about travelling to Angus by train, by bus, and by plane to Dundee Airport.