The River South Esk catchment has a rich cultural history stretching over millennia. From the Iron Age, to the Pictish era, to modern day, structures and stories that tell the tale of this fascinating area of Scotland are abundant.

The catchment has two main towns, Montrose and Brechin, and many smaller settlements scattered throughout.

The town of Montrose dates to around 1140, when the natural harbour and rich agricultural areas allowed Montrose port to flourish. Early exports included skins, hides and cured salmon. From the 17th century wheat and malted barley became important exports while timber and flax were imported from the Baltic, and wine, fruit and salt were imported from France and Portugal.

Upstream of Montrose, is the town of Brechin.  By the middle of the 19th century, Brechin had a paper mill, two flax mills, five linen factories, two bleachfields, two distilleries, a brewery, two sawmills and two nurseries, all of which were dependant on the river to function.

Brechin has a strong connection to the Picts and is home to one of only two Pictish Round Towers in Scotland, dating back to 1100AD. The Picts were perhaps the true ancestors of Scotland, and the River South Esk catchment was a stronghold for them. Picts were first mentioned during the Roman campaign of Emperor Severus in 210AD.  While it is known that Picts lived in Scotland in the first millennium AD in a number of named Kingdoms, there remains little trace of their existence other than place names and an outstanding collection of intricately carved Pictish standing stones. The Pictish period can be further explored by following the dedicated Pictish Trail. 

There are several historical buildings and sites connected with the river such as the National Trust for Scotland owned House of Dun, Cortachy Castle and iron age sites such as the Brown and White Caterthuns. More information on cultural sites of interest can be found on the Visit Angus website and by visiting Angus Archives.

The catchment is home to several historic livestock droving routes.  In the 1840s between 8,000 and 12,000 sheep were brought over the hills, via Jock’s Road, to sell at Cullow Fair in April and October. From Milton of Clova (beside Glen Clova Hotel), a single-track road continues up the glen, to the entrance to Glen Doll. This old drove road, leading to Glen Muick, was surveyed in the 1830s with the intention of upgrading it however, the plan was abandoned in favour of a road through Glen Shee.

The Romans were know to prize Freshwater pearl mussels. In the early 19th century, a commercial Freshwater pearl mussel fishery operated at Gella Bridge, in fact commercial Freshwater pearl mussel fishing took place within the catchment for many years. The species was finally given full legal protection in 1998 making Freshwater pearl mussel fishing illegal. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses a display called 'The Last Pearl Fishers in Scotland' which looks at the end of the Freshwater pearl mussel fishing industry and the people who made their living by searching for the mussels in Scotland’s rivers. The display includes information on the life cycle of the Freshwater pearl mussel, the factors influencing its decline, and a short film showing Freshwater pearl mussel fishers at work.