A fairly easy walk in good weather, leading to the wilder but beautiful Glen Mark at the head of Glen Esk. Visit the ornamental well erected to commemorate a visit by Queen Victoria before return down the glen.
Path and stony track across open moorland which can be exposed in bad weather.
Very limited (school bus times only) bus from Brechin.
Invermark car park, Glen Esk.
From the car park at Invermark, follow the road over the bridge and past the church on the right. Take the next right signed for Mount Keen and the Queen's Well and just before the house bear left following another sign and go through a gate to follow a track. The track leads out into the open glen, the sandstone tower of Invermark castle can be seen through the trees on the left. Built as a garrison fort by the local landowner it's function was to provide protection from Aberdeenshire cattle raiders who would use the traditional routes through the glens.
The track soon reaches an old metal gate, go through this and continue up the glen. The glen is a popular place to spot red deer especially during the annual rut in October.
The track undulates through the heather. Eventually it is joined by another track joining in from the left (used on the return). Keep ahead up the glen, now close by the river. The granite arches of the Queen's Well come into view ahead.
Branch off onto a narrower path on the right to reach the well - an elaborate structure in a splendid setting, built over the site of a spring where Queen Victoria stopped on one of her pony treks in the Angus glens.
The quickest return is to retrace your steps. After 1.5km back down the glen it is possible to vary the route by keeping right on the track, crossing the bridge over the river. There is a no access sign - but as long as you keep from buildings the track ought to be covered by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Follow the track to the left to keep down the glen, forking left at a junction to keep well away from Invermark Lodge.
The track passes to the right of a steading complex and eventually reaches a t-junction at a gate - with the splendid ruins of Invermark Castle visible to the right. Turn left to follow the track back to the start.
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