During 2021, it’s been fantastic to see so many of our businesses and attractions opening their doors once more and welcoming visitors to Angus again. We hope you’ve managed to get out and about and look forward to seeing more of you in 2022.
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the amazing businesses who generously donated prizes for the Visit Angus 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 the fabulous Links Hotel in Montrose. This Victorian hotel, built in the 1800’s, is situated on the historic Mid Links, a stones throw away from the 5th oldest golf course in the world and only a few minutes walk away from the town centre. The hotel has elegant rooms for overnight stays or short breaks as well as a restaurant, coffee shop and lounge bar.
Forfar Indoor Sports offer members and visitors the chance to experience three traditional Scottish sports – curling, bowling and ice skating. Beginners are always welcomed and there are a team of coaches and instructors on hand to show you the ropes and introduce you to something new. The centre also has a café bar serving hot meals, snacks and drinks.
The Ogilvy Distillery and Visitor Centre can be found at Hatton of Ogilvy Farm near the village of Glamis, where the Jarron family have farmed the land since 1910. The potatoes on the farm are grown a short tractor ride from where they are transformed into vodka at the on-site micro distillery. Jump on the Tattie Box Tours trailer and enjoy a tour of the farm and distillery, followed by a tasting of this award winning vodka.
Murton Farm, Tearoom and Nature Reserve is located just outside of Forfar and is a hugely popular attractions for families who love to come and meet the friendly farm animals and enjoy the fantastic play facilities on offer in the park. The lochs and wetlands within the Nature Reserve are home to a variety of wildlife and perfect for enjoying a stroll all year round. And don’t miss the chance to try some home cooking and baking in the tearoom, with views across the pond.
Arbroath Abbey is a superb medieval abbey, founded in 1178 by King William the Lion, and was one of the nation’s grandest monasteries for nearly 400 years. Visitors to the abbey can view the famous ‘Round O’, a circular window that was once lit up to guide mariners home and visit the newly refurbished visitor centre. Unfortunately the abbey and grounds are currently closed for conservation works but the visitor centre is open daily.
Artisana make and sell multi award-winning gourmet Artisan Brownies, the gooey-est, chocolaty-est brownies you have ever tasted, created by Ailsa, a Le Cordon Bleu trained Patissiere, along with decadent hot chocolate. Absolutely not to be missed – order yours online for delivery to your door or visit the self service Brownie Barn.
Newton Farm Holidays & Tours is a working Angus farm with award winning accommodation and farm experiences. Enjoy a rural overnight stay or short break at Newton Farm in the self catering cottage or B&B, or visit for the day for your own farm experience – choose from an interactive tour of the farm, alpaca walking, a highland cow & alpaca experience or a hands on feeding frenzy.
ANGUSalive is the culture, sport and leisure trust for the county of Angus and has been operating since December 2015. The trust is responsible for three of the stunning country parks in Angus – Forfar Loch, Monikie and Crombie. All of the parks are a haven for wildlife and offer some picturesque walking opportunities as well as regular events throughout the year. Monikie also offers a range of fun water sports and adventure activities.
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 hearty breakfasts and brunches, exciting lunches and delicious evening meals with a range of food options including their famous pies, hanger kebabs and a secret seafood menu. You can also get your pie fix at the Drive Thru or by post.
Toll House Spirits, based in Arbroath, is a family owned producer of 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 award winning gins, fruit based gin liqueurs, vodka and spiced rum. Gin Tasting and Gin Blending experiences are available to book.
Airlie Arms Hotel in Kirriemuir is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, a hearty meal or an overnight stay in one of the lovely en-suite rooms which have everything you’ll need for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Located in the centre of the town, it’s a great base for exploring Kirriemuir, childhood home of Peter Pan author Sir J M Barrie, as well as further afield.
Keptie Friends are a group of dedicated volunteers working to improve Keptie Pond in Arbroath. Most recently, the group were responsible for placing a stunning light display on the island in the middle of the pond, available to see every evening in December, which been the subject of lots of attention both locally and further afield. Keptie Pond is a picturesque location and perfect for a stroll.
MòR Beers is an independent craft microbrewery in Kellas using innovative brewing techniques, modern recipes and the finest ingredients to create the best handcrafted Real Ales & Scottish Craft beers. None of the beer is filtered or pasteurised at MòR, and it’s all vegan, which means fuller, fresher, longer lasting flavours for everyone. Get yours at selected local bars, at local Farmers Markets or buy online for delivery to your door.
Mrs Bridges is a producer of fine preserves, curds, chutneys, relishes, salsas and mustards in Arbroath. Mrs Bridges, or Kate to a very select few, began her life ‘in service’ as an under cook to ‘respectable’ families in the countryside of Victorian England where she began collecting recipes or receipts as they were then called. Now with over 150 products to choose from, take a look at the online shop or visit Mackays factory shop in Arbroath to browse the range.
The Bothy Experience, home of the award-winning Gin Bothy, is nestled in the historic village of Glamis, taking you on the journey of the Gin Bothy and telling the tale of Scottish Bothies. Sample the gin in the tasting rooms or buy a bottle to take home from the Bothy Larder shop. There are also regular events taking place at The Bothy Experience throughout the year.
Frosty’s Soft Play Centre in Forfar is a fantastic adventure for children of all ages. With friendly staff, and a huge variety of safe and clean play equipment, your little ones will have a great time here. Parents and carers are well looked after as well, with background music and a great café with tasty home baking, snacks and a range of hot and cold drinks.
Scotland’s largest producer of jam and marmalade, Mackays in Arbroath, founded in 1938, make every jar of marmalade, jam, chutney and curd in the authentic way – in small batches and copper pans. You can browse and buy their amazing range of products at their factory shop in Arbroath, online for delivery to your door or at various selected retailers.
Sup 2 Summit, an outdoor activity provider based in Montrose, specialise 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. All the equipment you’ll need will be provided for you, allowing you to concentrate on having a fantastic outdoor experience and learn some new skills.
Glamis Castle is steeped in history – it was the legendary setting 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 its fascinating history, enjoy a walk round the stunning castle gardens, explore the Nature Trail and enjoy a bite to eat in the Glamis Castle Kitchen.
Arbikie Distillery near Arbroath is owned and operated by three brothers – John, Iain and David – all of whom grew up working around the farm on the Arbikie Estate. The distillery is a genuinely single-site, field to bottle operation with the ingredients for the spirits planted, sown, grown and harvested within arms-length of the distillery. The distillery produce a range of vodkas, gins and whisky and will open their Distillery Experience in April 2022 where you can enjoy a tour and taste the products.
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. Their products are available to order for local delivery or visit a local Farmers Market to see what’s on offer.
Sacred Grounds Coffee Company is the first speciality coffee roaster in Angus, roasting premium, single origin coffee beans using Fatima, their 5kg Toper machine. Their coffees echo the changing seasons, showcasing the best coffees at any given time of the year. You can try their coffee at various local cafes or buy your beans online or at selected local retailers.
The fantastic Glen Clova Hotel & Lodges, located at the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park is the perfect destination for a break away from it all in stunning surroundings. Enjoy an overnight stay or short break in a relaxing hotel room or luxury self-catering lodge, or a delicious home cooked meal in the hotel restaurant.
Last but not least, we have the Park Hotel in Montrose. Their bar and restaurant provide a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a hot or cold drink, lunch or dinner with friends and family. The hotel has 57 tasteful en-suite bedrooms, perfect for an overnight stay or a short break, and is a great base for exploring Montrose and the surrounding areas.
Thanks once again to our fantastic businesses for helping us to showcase what Angus has to offer.
