River Run - North Esk

Last year I took a run along the River South Esk and found much of interest. So today I visited its northern neighbour. We have been enjoying a long spell of fine weather and this seemed a good trip for my newly re-activated FJ1200.
 

The river rises in the Cairngorm Mountains of the Eastern Highlands and river flows into the North Sea north of Montrose. My run along the river is only 30 miles but there was plenty to see. 

My first surprise was the beach at St Cyrus. This is north of where the river joins the North Sea and is a stunning stretch of sand.

Beach selfie

Just inland there is the Lower North Water Bridge.

The Montrosians (?) must have been proud of the bridge because they erected this huge plaque. But East Coasters have a reputation of being stingy so maybe having spent the money they wanted everybody to know about it.

Adjacent is a railway bridge. The line is now closed and the bridge is part of a long-distance cycle route

In a farmyard I found this standing stone - The Stone of Morphie. Erected by the Danes…or maybe the Picts.

It has ancient carvings….. of Mickey Mouse, strangely

The river from Marykirk Bridge

Ruins of the Church of Pert

 

I am fascinated by old grave stones. The lower panel has the Latin phrase "memento mori" - remember that you have to die. The other text and the carving is a biblical reference (I think) - "the trumpet will sound and the dead shall rise to meet Christ Jesus in the skies" (???)

The Royal Arch in Fettercairn. Built to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria in 1861

The FJ gleams in the sunshine.

The upper reaches of the river - I can't get much further

The road ends at Invermark Castle

This splendid building is the library and public hall in Edzell. It just shouts Scots Baronial