📌 Glen Esk, Angus
★★★
🛠️ Suspension bridge just before the finish is shut due to storm damage. Avoid this section by returning by the outward route (west bank) once south of the B966 (checked October 2024)
The Rocks of Solitude is the evocative name given to a picturesque stretch of the River Esk as it passes through a narrow cleft on the fringes of the Cairngorms. You’ll probably need to stoop to pass through the charming blue door giving access to the wooded banks downstream from here, which form part of an old estate. Both the doorway and the Rocks of Solitude have their own limited parking, but tracing the bank all the way from Edzell village (a couple of miles further downstream) properly showcases the transition from Lowland to Highland scenery, with various gorge sections interspersed with verdant forest and farmland. Although essentially a there-and-back walk, a maze of paths at the far end allows some variation, while south of Gannochy Bridge it’s possible to return on the opposite bank to the outward leg.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Path beyond Edzell 
Woodland on the outward leg 
River North Esk from the road bridge at Gannochy 
Blue door 
Path north of Gannochy 
The first main set of rapids, at Gannochy 
River North Esk 
Riverside path 
Second main set of rapids 
Second main set of rapids 
River North Esk 
Picturesque path 
Tributary waterfall 
Rocks of Solitude – autumnal view 
Rocks of Solitude 
Waterfall just upstream of the Rocks of Solitude 
Woodland beyond Gannochy 
River North Esk beyond Gannochy 
The return beyond Gannochy is rough & flood-prone 
Footbridge at Edzell
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at the post office, High Street (B966), Edzell village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 601689
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.810077,-2.655834
🚌 Bus to Edzell
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 80 m | ⌛ 3 hr
Features: 💧 River North Esk; 🌊 Rocks of Solitude ★★
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths with a little mud, though some sections are quite rough – particularly for the last part beyond Gannochy Bridge (which can also flood in spate conditions) and for the very northernmost section. Steep detours with steps descend to river level at several points.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit with shared middle section: start – track between post office & garage to River North Esk – Gannochy & B966 by west bank – 1st set of rapids (through blue door on east bank) – 2nd set of rapids (under remains of old bridge) – 3rd set of rapids (Rocks of Solitude) – rough extension to waterfall a little further upstream – return to main path, which continues to road – inland path shortens outward route – Gannochy – return to start by east bank
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Salmon in the river, grey wagtails, dippers, birds of prey.* A couple of red squirrels north of Gannochy.**
Weather: Sunny intervals, 13°C, windy.* Rain shower and rainbows at first, then brightening up. Cool.**
*July 2020 / **April 2012
Also on this walk
Rocks of Solitude ★★
🌍 Location
📌 On the River North Esk, off minor road 3 mi north of Edzell
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 588729
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.845796,-2.676907
❌ No public transport within 1 mi. Bus stops at Gannochy (1.5 mi via part of walk route above)
🚗 Layby at 🧭 NO 589730 / 🛰️ 56.846829,-2.675202
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 As mentioned above, the Rocks of Solitude are just one of several areas of rapids between here and Gannochy, so the full route (or at least the part north from Gannochy) is recommended. However, the layby above is a 5-min walk (each way) from the Rocks of Solitude themselves.
