Insider's Guide to Food and Drink - Blog

Residents and visitors have voted on their top ten categories of food and drink produced in Angus. They made their selection from an impressive choice of fresh, seasonal, local produce that can be found throughout Angus

From local lamb, beef, and pork to freshly-caught seafood, juicy soft fruit, and tasty asparagus, there is something for every taste and appetite in this fertile and productive region of Scotland. You can enjoy vodka, gin and whisky made from the crops in our fields, and fruit juices from our orchards and berry vines.

You’ll find fantastic local produce at the regular farmers’ markets, in the extensive selection of restaurants and cafes, and the delicatessens, grocers, butchers, fishmongers, and farm shops. It’s little wonder Angus has gained a reputation for providing the very best of Scottish produce.

So, in no particular order, here are just some of the very best places to buy and try local produce in Angus, as voted for by the people who live here and those who love to visit.

1. Fish and shellfish

Angus is famed for its fish and seafood. Perhaps the most famous Angus product is the Arbroath Smokie; haddock smoked over hardwood. The origins of the smokie began in the fishing village of Auchmithie, just north of Arbroath. The fishwives smoked the fish on sticks in whisky barrels. In the late 19th century, the fisher people settled in Arbroath with the lure of better housing.

Today the Arbroath Smokie is exported all over the world but can be bought from Arbroath fishmongers like Alex Spink & Sons and C Lyons Fresh Fish. See the Arbroath Smokie Trail to learn more about this tasty traditional dish.

You can buy many different kinds of Angus fish and shellfish from local markets and fishmongers. Enjoy mouth-watering fish dishes at the many fantastic restaurants, hotels, and fish and chip shops across the region. Experience exciting menus full of locally-caught langoustine scampi, monkfish, scallops, mackerel, as well as family favourites like haddock and cod.

2. Butchers and game dealers

For centuries, a special breed of cattle has been bred in the North East of Scotland. Today, it is famous worldwide for its high quality. Discover the history and taste of Aberdeen Angus beef on the Aberdeen Angus Trail.

While Angus is famed for its beef, the local butchers also serve up a whole range of meat reared in the area, including lamb, pork, game and even goat.

You can buy all kinds of natural, free-range game and gamebirds from Angus suppliers, including pheasant, partridges, rabbit, and venison. Game meat is incredibly versatile and makes a tasty alternative from other meats, for example, venison is an excellent substitute for beef in most recipes.

You’ll also find award-winning pies, sausage rolls and haggis throughout the region.

Choose from many butchers and game dealers across Angus, including Fleming Butchers in Arbroath, James Pirie & Son in Newtyle and Sidlaw, and Bertram’s in Kirriemuir.

3. Fruit and vegetables

What better way of reaching your five-a-day than eating some locally-grown fruit and vegetables? From raspberries and strawberries to asparagus and potatoes, there is an impressive choice here in Angus. Visit HOPE Organic Garden in Arbroath between April and December to buy organic vegetables and fruit grown in the grounds of Hospitalfield House.

There is an abundance of soft fruit in Angus. This is often available directly from the source. During the height of the growing season, pop-up farm shops, vending machines and stalls offer the opportunity to buy directly from the producer. It’s no wonder then that we have some of the best jam-makers in the business, like MacKays, for example. Their products are available all over the world, and most make excellent marmalades and chutneys. For delicious Angus jams made using a secret family recipe, visit Owen’s Angus Jams in Forfar.

Angus has many farms where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables. The family-run Charleton Farm near Montrose has old favourites like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, as well as apples, cherries and even pumpkins to pick.

4. Juice, Coffee, and Tea

Angus is home to several producers of tasty fruit juice, including Brechin-based Ella Drinks. They have been supplying award-winning berry juices across Scotland for the last 20 years, sourcing the fruit from their own farm and nearby farmers. The Angus Apple juice they produce includes heritage varieties from the walled gardens of Angus. You’ll find their products in the Gourmet Grocery in Brechin, the Lunan Bay Diner, and online. Appley Ever After have an orchard at Downiemill and produce apple juice, including single variety juices and fruit cordials.

The Sacred Grounds Coffee Company in Arbroath is the first speciality coffee roaster in Angus. All of their coffee is traceable and ethically-traded. You can taste their premium, roasted, single-origin coffee beans at local cafes or buy your own beans online or at Farmers Markets.

We even grow our own tea in Angus. Kinnettles Gold Tea is Scotland’s first 100% pure black tea, grown, plucked and handmade on their farm in the Strathmore Valley.

See juice, tea and coffee suppliers in Angus.

5. Distillers and distilleries

There has been an artisan drinks revolution in Scotland in recent years, and Angus is no exception. You’ll find an exciting range of spirits including whisky, rum, vodka and gin on offer here from local distilleries.

As Scotland’s national drink, no county would be complete without its own whisky distillery. Glencadam in Brechin has been distilling whisky since 1825.

Redcastle, based in Arbroath, have a passion for creating authentic, great tasting products which are distilled, bottled and labelled in Angus. They have a wide range of gins, fruit based gin liqueurs and a spiced rum. Redcastle have a retail shop and a tasting room at their base in Arbroath, available for pre-booked tasting experiences.

Carnoustie Distillery is owned and operated by Billy and Jory Duncan who began production in September 2017 in their garden shed. The father and son team have set up what is possibly the smallest distillery in the UK. The distillery produces a range of rums, vodkas and flavoured gins.

6. Breweries

Several breweries across Angus offer a range of excellent craft beers and ales.

MòR Beers is an independent craft microbrewery in Kellas, using innovative brewing techniques, modern recipes and the finest ingredients to create handcrafted cask and bottle conditioned Real Ales. Their classic beer styles, along with seasonal specials, can all be found in a number of local pubs, shops and ordered online from the brewery.

Redcastle Brewery offers a range of high-quality ales like the Tower IPA and Dark Knight Milk Stout. You can buy their amazing ales online, at local farmers markets and in local bars.

Carnoustie-based Shed 35 create a range of tasty ales that can be purchased at a number of Angus shops, including Maxibell in Carnoustie, as well as at local farmers markets.

7. Farm shops and delis

Angus has some of the richest agricultural land in Scotland, which makes our crops and livestock world-class. You can buy many different goods directly from farm shops, guaranteeing freshness and cutting down on food miles.

Just some of the specialist shops and delis here include Milton Haugh Farm and Corn Kist tearoom. Here you can purchase a wide variety of local produce including preserves made on site by Sarah Gray. Tillygloom is a traditional family farm situated on the outskirts of Brechin. Here you can buy free-range eggs, duck eggs, tatties, neeps and other seasonal produce. The farm has a vending machine called The Egg Box which you can use to buy eggs, jam and some delicious homemade tasty treats.

South Powrie Farm is another family-run farm. Located in Newtyle and Sidlaw, just above the hills of Dundee, they rear premium quality KellyBronze turkeys. They also provide a range of festive trimmings, including locally-made Christmas puddings, stuffing and farm-fresh vegetables. You can buy their products on their website and from local shops.

Gather is a cafe and deli located in Carnoustie. They offer local, seasonal and speciality produce, including a fantastic selection of wholefoods, fresh fruit and vegetables, an impressive selection of cheese, plus tasty homemade salads.

Many of the farm shops have cafes where you can enjoy delicious home baking.

8. Bakers and confectioners

Angus has a number of local chocolatiers, bakers and sweet makers.

Artisana produce Gourmet Artisan Brownies, the gooey-est, chocolaty-est brownies you have tasted. Order online to get yours delivered or drop by the Brownie Honesty Box to grab your favourite goodies. Baked by Belle make delicious handmade truffles. You can buy them at farmers markets and local fairs, or order directly.

For all-natural, raw and vegan snacks, try Good Food Good Feelings. They make smoothies, specialised energy bars, and other healthy treats. And if you have an especially sweet tooth, Kirriemuir’s Star Rock Shop offers tradition, handmade rock and other sweets. It’s the oldest sweet shop in Scotland, so well worth a visit.

Savoury palates are catered for too, with homemade pies from WeeCook and the famous Forfar Bridie – a meat-filled pastry not to be missed. The bridie has been produced in the historic market town of Forfar since the 19th century. Saddlers and McLarens vie for which makes the best Forfar Bridie. Why not try both and decide for yourself?

9. Visitor experiences

Angus has some exciting food and drink experiences that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the production processes and usually some free samples. And don’t forget to treat yourself to something to take home!

The family-run Arbikie Highland Estate on the east coast of Angus includes a sustainable, field-to-bottle distillery experience. They produce vodka, gin and whiskey, including Nàdar, the world’s first climate positive gin and vodka. The distillery also has a cafe where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat whilst enjoying fantastic views of the coast.

Ogilvy offers a fantastic distillery tour that will let you experience first-hand how their ground-to-glass, single-estate vodka is made. Jump on the Tattie Box Tours trailer and go behind the scenes. You’ll learn how the vodka is made from scratch, using farm-grown potatoes and see where they cook, ferment and distil it. Your tour will complete with a tasting of their award-winning vodka.

The Bothy Experience in Glamis gives you the chance to see how award-winning Gin Bothy is made. You are free to explore the distillery and can enjoy a self-guided tasting on certain days. You can also book the fully-hosted tasting that takes place on Saturdays. Their Bothy Beginnings room takes you through their Gin Bothy journey while their Bothy Tales room gives you a fascinating history of Bothies across Scotland.

Angus Alchemy near Carnoustie offers a new take on the distillery experience – focusing on making world-class gin, rum, moonshine and offering up an unforgettable visitor experience. Visitors can choose from a range of tasting options, including products from other local distilleries.

You’ll also find foodie events and pop up events taking place across Angus all year round. See the Visit Angus website to find out what’s on, or follow Appetite for Angus on facebook for regular updates.

10. Markets

Experience the friendly, vibrant atmosphere and varied local produce on offer at one of the many farmers’ markets in Angus. These traditional markets offer a unique and memorable experience for the eyes, ears and taste buds.

On the first Saturday of each month, the Angus Farmers’ Market is held in Montrose High Street and on the second Saturday of each month it is held at The Mart, John St, in Forfar. You’ll find a diverse selection of local farmers and producers selling fresh produce they have grown or made themselves. This popular market is not just about food. It also provides a platform for ‘makers’ of items like soap, jewellery, woollen clothing and artwork.

Arbroath Market is another excellent platform for farmers and local producers to promote their quality food and drink. From fresh coffee and cakes to hot pies and pastries, there’s always plenty to enjoy here.

Smaller markets take place in other towns, and these are well worth a visit too. Also look out for the virtual markets that take place regularly.