Many thanks to Pert Fishings Ltd for facilitating this camera's location and capitally funding its installation. The North Esk River takes form in the southern Grampians when the Water of Mark and the Water of Lee converge in Angus. It meanders in an eastern and southeastern direction through Glen Esk before traversing the southern end of the Howe o the Mearns, flowing through fertile farmland until it finally reaches the North Sea, approximately 4 miles (6 km) north of Montrose. Notable tributaries of the North Esk include the Water of Tarf, Luther Water, West Water, and Craick Water, and its total length spans 29 miles. From a point 2.5 miles north of Edzell until its estuary, the North Esk serves as the demarcation between Angus and Aberdeenshire.Salmon are likely to be found beyond the Loups of the Burn, a series of cascades located around fifteen miles downstream from Loch Lee, and they typically reach the upper beats by April. The lower stretch of the river features long holding pools, providing excellent fishing opportunities for anglers on the lower beats. The North Esk is renowned as a spate river, relying on rainfall to offer favorable fishing conditions, particularly during the summer months. September and October are usually the most productive months, provided there is sufficient water flow to facilitate the passage of fish along the river.One notable natural attraction along the North Esk is the Rocks of Solitude, where the river courses through a narrow gorge, forming a series of waterfalls at the point of its crossing over the Highland Boundary Fault. Local folklore tells of a Glen Esk piper who was purportedly abducted by fairies as he played near the river, and some claim to still hear his music faintly in the distance.In the past, Laurencekirk gained recognition for its production of snuff boxes featuring a special airtight hinge known as the "Laurencekirk hinge," which was invented by James Sandy. The acclaimed author Lewis Grassic Gibbon extensively wrote about The Mearns and its environs in his notable work, Sunset Song. Visitors can explore a tribute center dedicated to Lewis Grassic Gibbon in Arbuthnott, located a few miles from Laurencekirk.
During the Second World War, Fred Urquhart worked on the land in the Laurencekirk district, and his collection of short stories drew inspiration from his observations of rural life in the valley.
