In a year where things have been tough for everyone it’s been more challenging to find a reason to get excited, but we hope our Visit Angus advent calendar managed to lift your spirits!
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the amazing businesses who generously donated prizes for the advent calendar. Thousands of people entered our competitions and 24 lucky winners ended the year with a smile on their face.
Read on to find out more about the businesses who took part.
First up we had Sup 2 Summit, an outdoor activity provider based in Montrose, specialising in Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Bushcraft and Rock Climbing at various locations in and around Angus. A great family day out not to be missed.
Newton Farm Holidays & Tours is a working Angus farm with award winning accommodation and farm experiences. They offer self catering, B&B, alpaca walking and interactive tours of their farm – great fun for all ages.
Arbikie Distillery near Arbroath is owned and operated by three brothers – John, Iain and David. The distillery produce a range of vodkas, gins and whisky and will shortly open their fantastic new Distillery Experience where you can enjoy a tour and taste the products.
The Glenesk Hotel in Edzell is the perfect retreat for a relaxing overnight break or a delicious meal in the restaurant. In 2018, Glenesk Hotel made the Guinness World Book of Records with their 360° bar for having “the most varieties of whisky commercially available”.
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort is the ideal destination for a peaceful self-catering break, a hearty meal, a round of golf or a days’ fishing. The resort is located in the heart of the countryside allowing you to enjoy stunning views and there are some great walks here.
The Townhouse Hotel in the centre of Arbroath serve delicious homemade food and tasty cocktails, along with a number of comfortable rooms in which to lay your head and fantastic friendly service.
Scotland’s largest producer of jam and marmalade, Mackays in Arbroath, founded in 1938, make every jar of marmalade, jam, and curd in the authentic way. You can browse and buy their amazing range of products in store, online or at various retailers.
Wendy Higgins of Short n Sweet is an award winning baker, confectioner and chocolatier. Short n Sweet produce a wide variety of cakes, scones, tray bakes, biscuits and chocolate creations to tempt your tastebuds.
WeeCOOK is a family restaurant, cafe, takeaway, award winning pie makers and pie shop based at the Barry Downs Holiday park near Carnoustie. The restaurant serves a range of delicious food options including their famous pies, hanger kebabs and a secret seafood menu.
Fournos is a home baking operation in Arbroath producing authentic Greek pies, pastries and desserts, bringing a taste of Greece to Angus! Fournos use traditional recipes and techniques that have been handed down from family and friends throughout generations and their products are available to order online.
Ogilvy’s potatoes grow a short tractor ride from where they are transformed into vodka at their distillery near Glamis. Ogilvy have a great range of products available as well as an amazing visitor centre where you can take a tour of the farm and distillery before enjoying a sample of their vodka.
Sacred Grounds Coffee Company is the only speciality coffee roaster in Angus, roasting premium, single origin coffee beans. Their coffees echo the changing seasons, showcasing the best coffees at any given time of the year, and you can try it for yourself at various local cafes or buy your beans online.
Andreous Bistro in Arbroath serve authentic homemade Greek and Mediterranean food in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant has recently undergone a refurbishment and has a delicious new menu so don’t miss a visit here to try it out.
Toll House Spirits, based in Arbroath, is a family owned producer of award winning spirits and liqueurs. They have a passion for creating authentic, great tasting products which are distilled, bottled and labelled in Angus. Try for yourself their wide range of gins, fruit based gin liqueurs and spiced rum.
Located in the heart of Arbroath, The Webster Memorial Theatre provides a destination for many performances including drama, dance, comedy, concerts and music events. The theatre is managed by ANGUSalive, the trust responsible for museums, country parks and archives in Angus.
The Bothy Experience, home of the award winning Gin Bothy, is nestled in the historic village of Glamis. The Bothy Beginnings room takes you through the Gin Bothy journey while the Bothy Tales room tells the story of Scottish Bothies. Sample the gin in the tasting rooms or buy a bottle to take home.
MòR Beers is an independent craft microbrewery in Kellas using innovative brewing techniques, modern recipes and the finest ingredients to create the best handcrafted cask, bottle conditioned Real Ales and Scottish Craft beer. Try it out for yourself, you won’t regret it.
Glamis Castle is steeped in history – it was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. During your visit you can take a tour of the castle learning about it’s fascinating history and enjoy a walk round the stunning castle gardens.
Artisana make and sell Gourmet Artisan Brownies, the gooey-est, chocolaty-est brownies you have ever tasted, along with their signature tall drippy, incredibly flavoursome cakes and various other patisserie goodies. Absolutely not to be missed – order yours online or buy from various retailers in Angus.
Airlie Arms Hotel is Kirriemuir is the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal in the bar or restaurant, cocktails in the cosy cocktail bar or an overnight stay in one of the lovely en-suite rooms which have everything you’ll need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Hospitalfield House is an arts centre and historic house in Arbroath. Take a tour of the magnificent house to hear about its fascinating history. A brand new café will open in 2021 where you can enjoy a bite to eat overlooking the newly designed gardens.
Turadh Distillery is a fantastic new distillery outside of Forfar, with a great range of products. You can browse and buy their products from their online store from January 2021.
House of Dun is an 18th-century laird’s home, designed by renowned architect William Adam. During a tour of the house you can see some stunning plasterwork, hand stitched embroidery, labour saving technology used during that time and also enjoy a walk in the amazing formal gardens or surrounding woodland. You can also enjoy an overnight stay here in one of two historic apartments, set in House of Dun’s original stable block.
Last but by no means least, the fantastic Glen Clova Hotel & Lodges, located at the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park is the perfect destination for a break away in a luxury relaxing hotel room or self catering lodge, or a delicious home cooked meal in the hotel restaurant.
Thanks once again to our fantastic businesses for helping us to showcase what Angus has to offer.
