Highland Explorer - The Highlands Experts Plan a Trip

Loch Esk

Location: Kirriemuir, Scottish Highlands

Category: lochs

Rating: 5.0 / 5

Coordinates: 56.8833333,-3.2499999 (latitude, longitude)

Loch Esk

About Loch Esk

Loch Esk
Tucked away in the wild embrace of Glen Doll, Loch Esk is a hidden gem in the Angus Glens, offering a true taste of untamed Highland beauty. Perched at an impressive 730 meters (2,400 feet) above sea level, this remote hill loch is the high-altitude source of the River South Esk, one of Scotland’s most celebrated sea trout rivers. Its distinctive ink-blot shape lies cradled by dramatic moorland and the rugged peaks of the Grampian Mountains, creating a serene and secluded escape for those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Accessible only on foot, Loch Esk rewards visitors with breathtaking views, bracing Highland air, and a sense of profound solitude. The loch is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and anglers alike, with its waters teeming with lively wild brown trout. Hikers can embark on a rewarding journey through Glen Clova’s steep-sided glens, passing cascading waterfalls and heather-clad hillsides, with the loch as their ultimate prize. For the adventurous, nearby trails lead to iconic peaks like Mount Keen, offering panoramic vistas that stretch across this awe-inspiring landscape.

Whether you’re casting a line, exploring the surrounding wilderness, or simply soaking in the tranquility, Loch Esk invites you to reconnect with nature in its purest form. A visit here isn’t just a journey—it’s a retreat into the heart of Scotland’s timeless beauty.

Tags

Lake

Contact & Location

Address: Kirriemuir, DD8 4RD, UK

Gallery

Loch Esk - photo 1Loch Esk - photo 2Loch Esk - photo 3Loch Esk - photo 4

Plan Your Visit

Practical information for your visit to Loch Esk.

Directions
Get Directions

Highland Verified

This listing has been verified by our team of local experts.

You might also like

Similar places in the Scottish Highlands:

  • Loch an Laoigh

    Loch an Laoigh

    Strathcarron - lochs - 5.0/5

    Loch an Laoigh is a serene freshwater loch tucked away within the picturesque Attadale Estate in Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands. While its primary purpose serv...

  • Loch Mhòr

    Loch Mhòr

    Inverness - lochs - 5.0/5

    Loch Mhòr – A Hidden Highland Reservoir with a Tale to Tell Nestled in the heart of the South Loch Ness area, Loch Mhòr offers visitors a rare blend of rugged n...

  • Loch Gowan

    Loch Gowan

    Achnasheen - lochs - 5.0/5

    Loch Gowan Nestled in the rugged heart of the Scottish Highlands, just a few kilometers southwest of the quiet hamlet of Achnasheen, Loch Gowan offers a serene...

  • Loch Scye

    Loch Scye

    Halkirk - lochs - 5.0/5

    Loch Scye Tucked away in the untamed beauty of Caithness, Loch Scye is a hidden gem that embodies the quiet majesty of the Scottish Highlands. This serene loch...

  • Loch Achilty

    Loch Achilty

    Strathpeffer - lochs - 5.0/5

    Loch Achilty: A Hidden Highland Treasure Nestled within the enchanting birch and oakwoods of Torrachilty Forest, just west of Strathpeffer, Loch Achilty is a se...

  • Loch Mhoicean

    Loch Mhoicean

    Beauly - lochs - 5.0/5

    Nestled in a serene corner of the Scottish Highlands, Loch Mhoicean is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Located just outside the charming village of Beaul...