Inch Park
A riverside playground
Brechin is one of just two towns along the River South Esk. The river played a major part in the town’s development: in the mid-1800s, a paper mill, two flax mills, five linen factories, two bleachfields, two distilleries, two sawmills and a brewery all relied on water from the South Esk.
Those industries have gone, but the river is still flowing. It’s a rich habitat for wildlife in the town, with trees by the water offering a home for bats. Inch Park stretches along the bank and is a popular place to walk and relax. There’s a playpark for children and a paddling pool open in summer.
Grey wagtail
Playground in Inch Park
Daubenton's bat
Walking and cycling
By the riverside
Follow the river downstream along River Street to historic Brechin Bridge. Along the way you’ll pass attractive mosaics designed by the community when the flood defence wall was built. Some are inspired by the river’s wildlife – see which species you can spot.
Hard, flat path. ¾ mile (1.2 km) round trip to the bridge and back. Allow ½ hour.
Burghill Circuit
The Burghill Circuit starts across the river at the end of the park. Paths and minor roads lead through pleasant woodland and farmland, with views over Brechin in places. There are lots of other attractive paths around Brechin: details are in Angus Council’s Brechin Path Network leaflet.
Grass and earth paths that can be rough, muddy and narrow in places. Some long moderate or fairly steep slopes. 5½ miles (8.8 km). Allow 3 hours.
Look out for
Marsh marigold
Glossy yellow marsh marigolds flower by the river in May and June. Other names for these cheerful flowers include May-blobs, water-bubbles, bulls eyes, and mollyblobs.
Caddis fly
Like many insects, caddis flies spend most of their lives as larvae in the river. They need plenty of oxygen in the water, so they’re good indicator of high water quality.