You all love our annual advent calendar, but it wouldn’t be possible without the support of the amazing businesses here in Angus.
So once again, we at Visit Angus would like to say a HUGE thank you to our fantastic local businesses for getting involved in our advent calendar. Thousands of people entered the competitions, and 24 lucky winners each received a great prize to enjoy.
Read on to find out more about the businesses who took part.
ANGUSalive is the culture, sport and leisure trust for the county of Angus. The trust is responsible for the Webster Memorial Theatre, which plays host to a variety of fantastic performances all year round. ANGUSalive also manage three stunning country parks at Forfar Loch, Monikie and Crombie, several museums and art galleries, each showcasing fascinating exhibitions, as well as libraries and sports centres in each of the Angus towns.
Newton Farm is a working Angus farm offering award-winning self-catering and B&B accommodation alongside unique farm experiences. Enjoy a rural overnight stay or short break or visit for the day for your own farm experience. There are several experiences available for visitors to choose from, including an interactive tour of the farm, alpaca walking, a highland cow experience or a hands-on feeding frenzy.
Greenhillock Glamping is an eco-campsite near Forfar, set in five acres of beautiful wildflower meadows, offering guests the chance to unwind and enjoy quality time in nature. The site offers thirty camping pitches for tents as well as glamping experiences in their Hobbit House or pop-up bell tents. The site has fantastic features for guests, including a communal Field Kitchen, Art Shack and Nature Trail.
House of Dun near Montrose is an impressive Georgian mansion house set in acres of stunning woodland, built in 1743 to replace the medieval tower house that had been home to the Erskine family since 1375. Visitors here can enjoy a fascinating tour of the house led by costumed guides, see the Angus Folk Collection in the courtyard and explore the beautiful gardens and surrounding woodland.
Image: Greenhillock Glamping
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 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.
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.
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 Royal Hotel in Forfar offers comfortable rooms for relaxing overnight stays, and has great leisure facilities including a heated pool, jacuzzi bath and a well-equipped gym. The hotel restaurant is open daily serving delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as afternoon teas, using high quality local produce throughout the menu.
Image: Royal Hotel, Forfar
WeeCOOK is a family restaurant, cafe, takeaway and award-winning pie makers based at 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.
Barry Mill near Carnoustie is a working water-powered mill, which provided oatmeal and animal feed up until 1982. Visitors can step inside and discover the tough physical job of being a miller and the ingenuity of engineering that kept the mill in business. The nearby burn offers scenic walks and the chance to spot a whole host of wildlife.
Peel Farm near Kirriemuir is a working farm with a coffee shop serving tasty home-made food. Visitors can browse the gift and farm shop which has a huge range of products on offer including jewellery, clothing, books and local food and drink produce. The farm also offers excellent self-catering holiday accommodation in their steadings and glamping pods, as well as a nature trail.
Sacred Grounds Coffee Company is the first speciality coffee roaster in Angus. They roast premium, single origin coffee beans, sourced from ethical and sustainable sources, using Fatima, their 5kg Toper machine. Sacred Grounds 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.
Image: Sacred Grounds Coffee
Toll House Spirits, based in Arbroath, is a family-owned producer of award-winning spirits and liqueurs. They have a retail shop with a selection of local products alongside their own range of gins, rums, vodka & liqueurs, as well as a Tasting Room and Blending School which are available for pre-booked experiences.
Andreou’s in Arbroath serves traditional homemade Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The menu features many classic dishes with a Cypriot taste and is suitable for all diets, with a balance of fish, meat, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
Arbroath Cliff Tours provides breathtaking kayak tours of the Arbroath Cliffs and the incredible cave network hidden deep underground. On your tour, explore multiple sea caves, ancient stalactites and interesting caverns full of sealife, and hear stories from the time of Arbroath’s smuggling days.
Glenesk Hotel, located in the picturesque village of Edzell, has some fantastic facilities available for guests, including a leisure club and games room – perfect for a break away. The hotel restaurant is open to guests and visitors and serves modern British classics using locally sourced Scottish seasonal produce.
Image: Arbroath Cliff Tours
Glamis Castle was the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the legendary inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Past visitors include Mary, Queen of Scots, James V, the ill-fated Janet Douglas and Mary Eleanor Bowes. 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.
JM Barrie’s Birthplace in Kirriemuir is a small, whitewashed cottage which was the childhood home of Sir JM Barrie, author of the famous Peter Pan tale. The cottage tells the story of Barrie’s life and work and provides an insight into his early life, including the washhouse where the young author performed his first play at the age of seven and that provided inspiration for the Wendy house in Peter Pan.
Arbikie Distillery Experience near Arbroath overlooks the stunning Lunan Bay and is a sustainable, field-to-bottle distillery built around real craft, real ingredients and real people. Arbikie produced the world’s first climate positive gin and vodka, made from a base spirit of peas. Visitors can enjoy a range of tour experiences including Whisky, Gin & Vodka or Cocktails.
Image: Arbikie Distillery Experience
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 including a multi-lane slide, ball pit and basketball court, 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.
Murton Farm, Tearoom and Nature Reserve is located just outside of Forfar and is hugely popular with 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.
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort is set in the stunning Angus countryside and is the perfect spot for a break away. The resort has a range of luxury self-catering accommodation options, including lodges of various sizes and Shepherd Huts for a unique glamping experience. Here you will also find a fabulous restaurant serving delicious meals daily as well as fishing and golf.
Image: Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
Thanks once again to our fantastic businesses for helping us to showcase what Angus has to offer.
