Invermark Castle
Invermark Castle in Angus is a striking late‑medieval tower house that once guarded the remote entrance to Glen Esk. Built in the 16th century by the Lindsay family, it served as both a defensive refuge and a symbol of authority in a landscape shaped by clan rivalries and cattle raiding. Its dramatic setting — isolated, windswept and framed by hills — gives the ruin a powerful atmosphere even today. Although roofless, the castle’s structure remains impressively intact. Visitors can explore the lower chambers, where thick stone walls and narrow slit windows reveal its defensive purpose. The vaulted basement, once used for storage, is one of the most evocative spaces, with its cool air and rugged masonry. The spiral staircase, still climbable, leads to upper floors that offer views across the glen and hints of the castle’s former domestic life. One of the most interesting historical notes is Invermark’s role during the Covenanting period. In 1745, fleeing Jacobites sought refuge here after the Battle of Culloden, adding a dramatic final chapter to the castle’s active life.
Brechin Scotland
You will find it at the east end of Loch Lee, right where the Water of Lee meets the Water of Mark at the head of Glen Esk. The official address is listed as Unnamed Road, Lochlee, Brechin, Angus, Scotland. It sits in the parish of Lochlee, about 16 miles northwest of Laurencekirk and not far from the village of Edzell, which is the last proper village before you head into the glens. There is plenty to see nearby if you make the trip. You are right in the heart of the Five Glens of Angus, so Glen Mark and Glen Esk are on your doorstep for hiking. Just up the glen you have the Queen's Well, a little crown-shaped monument marking where Queen Victoria stopped to drink in 1861, and the Glen Esk waterfalls and Loch Lee itself. A bit further out towards civilization, the big draws are Edzell Castle and Gardens with its famous walled garden, Glamis Castle near Forfar, the childhood home of the Queen Mother and straight out of a fairytale, House of Dun near Montrose, and Brechin Castle and its cathedral town. If you like dramatic coastal history, Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven is also within easy reach for a day trip.
Museum