Falls of Unich — Place photograph (1 of 3)

Falls of Unich — Place photograph (2 of 3)

Glen Esk, Angus, Scotland (address record: Brechin DD9 7YZ). The waterfall is reached on foot from the Invermark area.

Falls of Unich

Waterside landscape

Place photograph

6.6

Wildland

Half day for a walk to the falls and back

Time

Check

Cost

Wild

Feel

RiversideValleyRemote countrysideHillsWalkersPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

6.6

The Falls of Unich reward a walk into the upper reaches of Glen Esk, where the route can combine a historic tower house, Loch Lee and a rocky waterfall setting. The surrounding hills give the outing a distinctly remote feel, but the approach and river crossings need careful checking.

The appeal is the combination of a waterfall, loch and open Highland glen reached on foot from Invermark. It feels like a genuine outing rather than a roadside stop, while the reported bridge warning makes checking the route part of planning the visit.

Wild · Peaceful · Dramatic · Remote

Find your way

Open map

Glen Esk, Angus, Scotland (address record: Brechin DD9 7YZ). The waterfall is reached on foot from the Invermark area.

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

The shortest supported outing is a walk from the Invermark area towards Loch Lee and the Falls of Unich, then back the same way. A longer route description adds the Falls of Damff and a high-level circuit, but that route is more demanding and includes terrain and crossing concerns; verify conditions and navigation before attempting it.

Things to do

Walk to the Falls of Unich

Follow the walking approach from the Invermark area towards the falls. Sources describe a stony or rocky route; check the reported bridge warning and current conditions before setting out.

About 3–4 hours return in one account; route and timing vary.

Take in Loch Lee

The Loch Lee approach is described as part of the walk to the falls. Pause to take in the loch and surrounding hills, then continue only if the route is safe and open.

See Invermark Castle on the approach

A route source identifies Invermark Castle as a 16th-century tower house passed on the walk. Keep to legitimate paths and do not enter restricted structures.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 3–4 hours return, according to the video source; check route conditions first.

Quick escape: Loch Lee and the falls

01
Start from the Invermark area, using the car park identified by the route source.
02
Follow the route towards Loch Lee and the Falls of Unich, turning back the same way if conditions or the reported bridge warning make continuing unsuitable.
03
Allow time to enjoy the loch and waterfall from safe ground.

Half day · Half day; exact duration depends on the route taken and current access.

Make a half day of it: add Invermark’s history

01
Begin at Invermark and see the reported ruins of Invermark Castle from the route.
02
Continue towards Loch Lee and the Falls of Unich if current access conditions permit.
03
Return by the same route rather than attempting a river crossing or circuit that has not been confirmed safe.

Verified history

Route sources describe Invermark Castle as a 16th-century tower house on the approach to Loch Lee and the falls. One account dates it to around 1526 and says it was built to defend the glen; that specific date and purpose are reported by the source, not independently corroborated here. A route description also identifies the ruins of Lochlee Parish Church and a graveyard near Loch Lee.

Hidden details

A reported bridge warning — A route page reports a notice advising against access to the Falls of Unich because a bridge is in disrepair. Treat this as a material route warning and check current local advice before setting out; do not assume the bridge or suggested alternatives are safe.

When to go

May · June · July · August · September · Start early for more daylight and to allow time to turn back if conditions are unsuitable.

The available sources recommend a sunny-day outing and describe a walk over stony ground; longer daylight can make planning easier. No season guarantees safe access, and river and bridge conditions must be checked.

Weather and visibility can change in the hills. A route source warns that the high ground can be affected by hill fog and recommends waterproof clothing and navigation equipment. Avoid relying on the route in poor visibility or unsafe river conditions.

The route

ascent: Hiiker lists 339 m gain for its 15 km loop; the shorter return walk’s ascent is not specified.
surface: Gravel paths, stones and rocky or potentially boggy ground are described. Conditions may vary.
distance: A video description gives 10 km round trip from Invermark Car Park; Hiiker lists a 15 km loop for a route including Loch Lee and both Falls of Unich and Damff. These are different itineraries.
duration: About 3–4 hours for the 10 km return walk according to the video; Hiiker estimates about 3 hours 33 minutes for its 15 km loop.
difficulty: Easy to moderate depending on itinerary and conditions; uneven, stony terrain and a reported bridge warning require caution. Longer loop descriptions include rough and boggy sections.
waymarking: One source describes the route as well marked; another warns that paths on the high-level circuit can be faint. Do not rely on waymarking alone.
route shape: Out and back for the described Loch Lee and Falls of Unich walk; a separate 15 km loop is described by Hiiker.
start point: Invermark Car Park / Invermark area, as identified by the supplied route sources. Confirm the current access point before travel.
parking start: A video source reports free parking at Invermark Car Park and says it can fill at weekends. Check current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Use an out-and-back approach towards Loch Lee and turn around if the bridge warning, weather or ground conditions make continuing unsafe. The distance to a safe turnaround point is not confirmed.

Falls of Unich
Loch Lee
Invermark Castle
Falls of Damff on the longer loop
Glen Esk hill scenery

Worth pairing with

Loch Lee

A worthwhile natural feature on the walking approach to the Falls of Unich; it can be included in the same outing where the route is safe.

Invermark Castle

A reported 16th-century tower house on the approach, adding a heritage stop to a walk focused on the glen and waterfall.

What to look for

01
Look for the contrast between the still waters of Loch Lee and the rushing water at the falls
02
Invermark Castle is a reported 16th-century tower house on the approach. Stay well back from slippery rocks and river edges.

The story

Medieval

Best time to go

Late spring to early autumn for longer daylight and more manageable hill-walking conditions; check weather and route conditions before travel in any season.

Choose a clear day with good visibility and enough daylight for the walk. Arrive early if using the Invermark parking area, which one source says can fill at weekends. Check weather and access warnings before departure.

How long to spend

Half day for a walk to the falls and back; allow longer for a larger Loch Lee and Glen Esk circuit.

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Brechin DD9 7YZ

Google rating

4.9 · 28 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A walk from Invermark can reach Loch Lee and the falls, but route descriptions differ and one source reports a warning that access to the Falls of Unich is not recommended because a bridge is in disrepair. Check current local access and crossing conditions before setting out; do not rely on the bridge or attempt an unsafe crossing. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

Check before visiting

Parking

A video source identifies Invermark Car Park as a start point and describes parking as free, but current availability and arrangements are not independently confirmed. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting; no food facilities are confirmed in the supplied sources.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting; no dog rules are confirmed in the supplied sources.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

This is a walking destination on uneven, stony and potentially wet ground. A reported bridge in disrepair may affect access to the falls. Not suitable to describe as an accessible or step-free visit on the available evidence; check current conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free (no entry charge is evidenced; check parking arrangements before visiting).

Check before visiting

Water

River