Queen’s Well

Queen’s Well is a small crown-shaped stone monument built over a natural spring in Glen Mark, at the head of Glen Esk. The arches and cross are the landmark; the spring is part of the memorial, not a promise of safe drinking water. It suits a day when you want a quiet glen walk with a piece of Victorian history at the end. From Invermark, allow about 8 km (5 miles) there and back, roughly 2 to 2½ hours, with 80 m of ascent. It is a real walk for a modest-sized stop, not a quick pull-off.

The route starts at Invermark car park, follows a track into the open glen, then branches onto a narrower path to the well. The track is stony and visitors report wet, puddled or boggy patches; the open moorland can feel exposed in poor weather. Wear sturdy shoes and carry layers. Dogs are welcome under Scotland’s outdoor access rules. For a photo, step back enough to show the crown of arches against the hills so the monument’s shape reads clearly.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rode from Balmoral to Glen Mark on 20 September 1861, where they met the local landowner, Lord Dalhousie, at the spring. Dalhousie had the crown-like structure built to mark their visit. The royal party drank from the spring, according to the local account, but that does not establish that the water is safe to drink today. Prince Albert died later that year, giving the memorial an added poignancy.

The well is a small stop within a broader walk along the river and across open moorland; allow time for the route rather than treating the memorial as the whole outing. The glen is also known as a place to look for red deer; October’s rut is a particularly promising time, though sightings are never guaranteed.