Glenesk

Glenesk is 47 miles northeast of Dundee, 54 miles southwest of Aberdeen, with the road leading up from just north of the village of Edzell, 11 miles up to the Folk Museum.

Glenesk is popular for the Glenesk Folk Museum with a Cafe, the Rowan Tower Hike, and walks through Invermark Estate, southwest to the Invermark Castle and Glenesk Old Parish Church by Loch Lee. Another hike goes northwest to the Queens Well, and for the adventurous, past the Queens Well up to the 3,081ft / 939m Mount Keen.

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Postcode: DD9 7YZ

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the road leading up into Glenesk.

The second image shows the Glenesk Folk Museum with a Cafe and fairly large Museum showing what life was like in the area from the 1700s to 1900s.

There is also information on Queen Victoria who travelled the area when staying at Balmoral Castle. Balmoral is 30 miles northwest hiking over the hills.

The small Village of Tarfside is 1 mile past the Folk Museum.

Just past Tarfside is the 1,246ft / 380m Hill of Rowan with the Maule Monument on top, a popular hike with great views all around.

Lochlee Parish Church is 5 miles past the Folk Museum.

The Car Park for walking and hiking on the Invermark Estate is next to the Church.

Invermark Castle is a short walk southwest from the car park following the road, with Glenesk Old Parish Church and Loch Lee 1 mile past the Castle.

The Queens Well is just over 1 mile out from the Car Park taking the path northwest. The path to the Queens Well also leads on up to Mount Keen.

Glenesk History

600s - the first Church was built by Loch Lee by St Drostan.

1300s - the earliest parts of Invermark Castle were built for an unknown Clan.

1500s - the Lindsays of Crawford had Invermark Castle rebuilt to help keep Highland Clans from rebelling against the King.

1600s - Glenesk Old Parish Church was built at Loch Lee to replace the older Church at Loch Lee. The second Church is now a ruin.

1605 - Sir David Lindsay, owner of Edzell Castle, had Invermark Castle heightened, he may have used the Castle as a Hunting Lodge.

1607 - Invermark Castle was used by the son of Sir David as a hiding place after he murdered his relation, Alexander Lindsay, in Edinburgh.

1746 - the Battle of Culloden took place by Inverness, the last Jacobite Battle where the Jacobites were defeated by a larger Government Army.

1750s - the Highland Clearances began, forcing Crofters off their land to make way for large scale sheep farming, also to prevent any more Jacobite Risings. Many crofters from Glenesk were forced to move to the Coast for Fishing, to Cities, or to emigrate to North America and Canada.

1783 - the US gained Independance for Britain. Many Crofters seen as touble makers, would then be accused of crimes such as Sheep Stealing then deported to Australia.

1803 - Invermark Castle was abandoned, falling into ruin.

1803 - Lochlee Church was built by Invermark Castle, using stone and roofing from the Castle.

1840s - a Cottage used as a Retreat was built in Glenesk by Captain Wemyss.

1852 - Invermark Lodge was built for John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie, to serve as a Hunting Lodge.

1856 - Balmoral Castle was completed for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, 30 miles northwest over the hills from Invermark.

1861 - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert crossed the Mountains on horses to visit Glenesk. They drank from a Well by Invermark, now known as the Queens Well, with a Stone Crown built over the Well.

1955 - local school teacher Greta Michie opened the Glenesk Folk Museum, on the site of the former Retreat.