The River South Esk is home to some of the most varied wildlife in Scotland and has been designated as a  Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of the of the Atlantic salmon and Freshwater pearl mussel found here.

From the high, snow-capped mountains of the Cairngorms to the rolling North Sea, the River South Esk and its tributaries are home to some of Scotland’s most iconic species including Golden eagle, Wildcat, Red squirrel, Pine marten, Otter, Grey seal, Bottlenose dolphin and Pink-footed geese. More than 40 different species have been recorded along the length of the trail!

The 50 mile long ‘Wild South Esk’ trail will take you on a journey of discovery from the Cairngorms National Park to Montrose Basin Local Nature Reserve, travelling through mountains, glens, woodland, farmland and finally the enclosed estuary.

This short film showcases some of what the catchment has to offer.

These handy 3-day and 5-day itineraries are available to help you plan your trip.