Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre is located on the site of Britain’s first operational military airfield, established by the Royal Flying Corps in 1913.

Explore a fascinating collection of photographs, artefacts, and aircraft that take you back in time to showcase the history of this important site. Discover unforgettable stories about the men and women who served here and the local community.

Highlight exhibits include a 1940s house, a full-size Anderson shelter, and replicas of iconic aircraft like the B.E.2a, Sopwith Camel, MkVb Spitfire, and jets including the Hawker Hunter and Vampire.

The Heritage Centre is a fully accredited museum run by volunteers and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the UK’s highest volunteer accolade.

• Location: Waldron Road, Montrose, DD10 9BD
• Opening Times:
  Friday – 10am to 4pm
  Saturday – 10am to 4pm
  Sunday – 12 noon to 4pm
• Entry Fee:
  Adults: £8
  Concessions: £7
  Children under 16: Free
• Accessibility: Partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility. Accessible toilets available.

Located within the beautiful grounds of the House of Dun, Erskine’s Café is a picturesque spot to enjoy a light bite or afternoon treat.

With indoor and outdoor seating available, the café serves freshly prepared hot and cold food, alongside an array of delicious baked goods and drinks. It’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the estate.

After your meal, explore the stunning formal gardens and woodland surrounding the café, or enjoy sweeping views across Montrose Basin.

• Location: House of Dun, Montrose, Angus, DD10 9LQ
• Opening Times:
  12 August to 6 October: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  7 October to 20 October: Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  21 October to 3 November: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  4 November to 22 December: Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
• Accessibility: Partial wheelchair access with accessible parking and toilets

Discover an elegant country home fit for a laird at the House of Dun, an 18th-century Georgian country house designed by renowned architect William Adam.

This remarkable home is steeped in history, with its detailed plasterwork, stunning interiors, and fascinating exhibits. During a tour by costumed guides, you’ll step into a world of baroque extravagance, learning about the people who once lived here and the house’s architectural splendour.

Inside, explore the Georgian kitchen, complete with a traditional clockwork roasting spit, a symbol of early technology. Don’t miss the Angus Folk Collection outside, an interactive exhibit with over 4,500 pieces highlighting local history, including unique items like a harpoon gun and penny-farthing bicycle.

The House of Dun is located near the Montrose Basin Nature Reserve, a perfect opportunity for a scenic stroll if time permits.

• Location: Montrose, Angus, DD10 9LQ
• Opening Times:
  Entry by Guided Tours Only
  12 August to 3 November: Wednesday to Sunday, guided tours
  4 November to 22 December: Saturday & Sunday, guided tours
  23 December to 31 December: Closed
• Entry Fees:
  Adult: £16
  Concession: £12.50
  Gardens: Free
• Accessibility: Partial wheelchair access with accessible parking and toilets

Located in the Park Hotel, Parkers Restaurant offers a fresh, seasonal menu crafted with locally sourced Angus ingredients.

Indulge in classic dishes like battered North Sea haddock, roast Angus chicken with haggis, or a hearty vegetarian butternut squash risotto, and be sure to check out the daily specials for something new and exciting. A local favourite, Parkers is one of the best places to try a taste of the region.

• Location: 61 John Street, Montrose, DD10 8RJ
• Opening Times:
  Lunch: 12 noon to 2pm
  Dinner: 5.30pm to 8.30pm
• Accessibility: Level access entry with accessible parking

Wrap up your evening with a trip to the Montrose Playhouse, a modern cinema offering a variety of films for all ages.

With fully accessible cinema screens that seat up to 400 people, it’s the ideal venue to watch the latest releases for everyone. The Playhouse also hosts a diverse programme of events, workshops, and classes – see their website for more details.

• Location: The Mall, Montrose, DD10 8NN
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access with accessible toilets

Carlungie Earth House is one of the largest and most complex examples of an ancient souterrain (stone-lined underground passage) in Scotland. At 40 meters long, it dates back to the Iron Age and was discovered in 1949 during ploughing.

These earth houses, also found in areas like Ireland, Cornwall, and Brittany, likely served different purposes depending on their region. A common theory is that they were used for storage, either for valuable items or agricultural surplus, with several sites revealing Roman artefacts such as pottery.

• Location: Tealing, DD7 7SD
• Opening times: Open all year round
• Entry: Free
• Accessibility: Strong footwear recommended

Just a short distance away from Carlungie, the Ardestie Earth House is another fantastic example of the ancient underground passages. Likely built in the first two centuries AD, it stretches over 24 meters and features a stone-lined drain. Excavations have uncovered a complex of buildings above ground, with access to the earth house within one of them.

This site is an excellent example of its kind as most earth houses were either destroyed or filled in during the late AD 100s, coinciding with the Roman withdrawal from Britain. Explore this remarkable site and discover traces of abandoned structures.

• Location: Monikie, DD5 4HW
• Opening times: Open all year round
• Entry: Free
• Accessibility: Parking available. Strong footwear advised

Enjoy an all-day brunch, warming bowl of soup, frittata, or freshly baked sourdough sandwich at Gather Café, Carnoustie. Serving up fresh, seasonal dishes made with the finest local ingredients, this popular cafe has something for every taste with daily specials based on seasonality, options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free choices.

Indulge your sweet tooth with freshly baked treats, and don’t forget to stop by their deli, stocked with an impressive selection of food and drinks from the area.

• Location: 25-27 Dundee Street, Carnoustie, DD7 7PB
• Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 3pm
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets

A peaceful gem found just outside Carnoustie; Barry Mill gives visitors a glimpse into the past with one of the last working watermills in the country. Originally rebuilt after a fire in 1814, Barry Mill has stood as the heart of the local community for nearly 800 years, grinding grain and producing oatmeal.

Though the mill is closed for the winter season, you can still enjoy the grounds and learn about the mill’s history as you stroll through the tranquil Angus countryside.

• Location: Mill Road, Barry, Carnoustie, DD7 7RJ
• Opening times (Mill):
  12 August to 6 October: Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  7 October to 20 October: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  21 October to 27 October: Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  28 October to 28 February 2025: Closed
• Opening times (Grounds): Open daily, dawn to dusk
• Entry:
  Mill: £9 (Adult), £8 (Child/Concession)
  Grounds: Free
  National Trust members: Free
• Accessibility: Accessible parking, accessible toilets. Some uneven terrain and steps

End your day at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel with dinner at Calders Bistro, with a freshly prepared dish full of locally sourced ingredients.

Enjoy stunning views over the Championship Golf Course, making your meal even more special. Menu highlights include battered haddock, corn-fed breast of chicken, pea and mint risotto, and the ever-popular Americano burger. Don’t miss their indulgent desserts and the impressive cheese board selection.

The hotel’s rich history includes once housing the world’s largest Rolex clock, a feature now replaced by fantastic food and panoramic views of the golf course and coastline.

• Location: Links Parade, Carnoustie, DD7 7JE
• Opening times: 12 noon to 9.30pm
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access with accessible parking and toilets