Burn of Elsick

The Burn of Elsick is a coastal stream in Aberdeenshire, Scotland that discharges to the North Sea. This watercourse drains primarily agricultural lands and enters the North Sea at Newtonhill.

The Burn of Elsick flows under the Causey Mounth, an ancient drovers road dating from circa 1100 AD, which track is extant as a hiking footpath. The Causey Mounth road, built on high ground to make passable this only available medieval route from coastal points south to Aberdeen. This medieval land passage specifically connected the crossing of the River Dee (where the present Bridge of Dee is located) via Portlethen Moss, Muchalls Castle and Stonehaven to the south. The route was that taken by William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and the Marquess of Montrose when they led a Covenanter army of 9000 men in the first battle of the Civil War in 1639. In the watershed is an historic home, Elsick House, owned by the Duke of Fife. The historic Gillybrands coaching inn and present day farm is situated on the banks of the Burn of Elsick.