No. of Days
3
Transport
Theme
- Outdoor Pursuits
- Coast and Waters
- Nature and Wildlife
Season
- Spring
- Summer
Highlights and Delights
Our diverse three-day itinerary has been created to help you discover the best outdoor experiences Angus has to offer among some of the most spectacular locations in Scotland.
From walks in the glens and around stunning nature reserves to unforgettable farm experiences and wildlife spotting, there are many unique and relaxing experiences waiting for you, as well as some fantastic food and drink options.
If you are looking to explore a special part of Scotland at a slightly slower pace and create some wonderful new memories, then Angus is the perfect destination for you.
DAY 1 – MONTROSE
Welcome to Montrose
Day 1 begins in Montrose, a vibrant coastal town with lots to offer. Montrose sits on the edge of a nature reserve that’s a haven for wildfowl and wading birds. Montrose also boasts an attractive town centre and a wide sandy beach.
Travel information
Montrose can be reached from the main A90 dual carriageway by car in around 20 minutes. Montrose is also on the coastal railway line. There are six locations with electric charging points across the town. Download the Visit Angus app for convenient access to an interactive map of electric charging points on your iOS or Android phone.
Location 1: Montrose Basin and Visitor Centre
What better place to start than with one of the area’s main attractions, Montrose Basin. It’s the ideal location for a stroll among nature.
Located just outside the town centre, Montrose Basin is a designated Local Nature Reserve with a four-star visitor centre. It offers unforgettable walks and places to sit and enjoy a picnic or just take in the stunning views across the estuary.
Covering 750 hectares, the basin is home to over 80,000 migratory birds, including pink-footed geese, common terns, and kingfishers. The estuary supports various breeding colonies in the spring and summer months, including sand martins, common terns, and eider.
Four remote bird hides spread across the reserve offer prime locations to take a seat, relax, and see some of these special bird species for yourself. You may even spot a seal or two.
Montrose Basin is also one of the locations on the Wild South Esk trail that takes you from the Cairngorm Mountains to the North Sea along the River South Esk. The trail is 50 miles long with ten sites to explore, including Ferryden, the Lurgies at Montrose Basin, Inch Park in Brechin, Angus Hill near Aberlemno, Cortachy, Tulloch Hill (Airlie Monument), Glen Prosen, Gella Bridge, Glen Clova (Loch Brandy), and Corrie Fee.
- Location: Rossie Braes, Montrose, DD10 9TA
- Opening times:
Reserve walks and hides: Always open
Visitor centre: Daily, 10.30am to 5pm
- Entry:
Adults: £5.50
Concession: £5.00
Children (under 16 years): Free
Members: Free
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and toilets at the visitor centre
Location 2: Lunch at the Pavilion Cafe
Located just a few minutes’ walk from Montrose town centre, Pavilion Café offers a warm welcome and delicious, homemade food in a unique setting. The café is based in a former Victorian bowling pavilion converted into a sympathetic café set in lovely gardens. The tables by the window have a lovely, peaceful view, even when the sun isn’t shining.
Some of the popular options from the menu include homemade scones, garlic mushrooms on sourdough, and fresh meringues. The food is prepared using fresh, locally-sourced produce. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are usually available.
In the warmer months, you can buy a picnic hamper full of tasty food and treats to enjoy al fresco in one of the area’s scenic outdoor spots.
Known in the area for its relaxed atmosphere and freshly-prepared food, the café also has a reputation for friendly, hard-working and attentive staff.
- Location: Melville Gardens, Montrose, DD10 8HG
- Opening times (booking recommended): Wednesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 3pm
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets and adjacent on-street parking
Location 3: Charleton Farm
Refreshed and recharged, time to head to Charleton Farm where there’s lots on offer.
The farm has a children’s adventure park complete with wooden fort structure, a variety of seasonal ‘pick your own’ fruit and veg from June to October, a well stocked farm shop full of fresh local produce, gifts and toys, as well as a cosy café with indoor and outdoor seating.
The perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing in the great outdoors.
- Location: Hillside, Montrose, DD10 9EW
- Opening times:
Daily, 10am to 4pm - Accessibility: Wheelchair access with accessible parking and toilets
Location 4: Montrose Beach
Before dinner, why not enjoy a peaceful walk along the golden sands of Montrose Beach, which stretch for three miles from Montrose to the North Esk River, with stunning views south to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse.
This family beach has a handy promenade and car parking, plus a shop and amusement centre, as well as the Seafront Splash play area which is great for little ones.
- Location: Traill Drive, Montrose, DD10 8SW
Location 5: Dinner at Roo’s Leap
Enjoy a delicious dinner at the Australian-themed Roos’ Leap restaurant that offers the most laid back dining experience in Angus. The eclectic menu has an impressive selection of delicious international food.
The restaurant uses fresh ingredients cooked to order, with fish bought directly from the local market and burgers and steaks made from pure Aberdeen Angus meat. The dessert menu is not to be missed either, with lots of fantastic treats on offer. This restaurant also offers a good choice of tasty, original vegetarian and vegan food.
Enjoy a relaxing beer, spirit, cocktail or wine in the beer garden or inside the restaurant at the bar. Expect a friendly and efficient service too. Roo’s Leap is ideally located for a walk after dinner along nearby Montrose Beach.
- Location: 2 Traill Drive, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8SW
- Opening times:
Monday: 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Friday: 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 9pm
- Accessibility: No disabled access
DAY 2 – FORFAR, KIRRIEMUIR AND GLAMIS
Welcome to Forfar, Kirriemuir & Glamis
Visit Forfar and surrounding areas on Day 2 to enjoy some memorable outdoor activities, including unique farm experiences, exploring beautiful gardens and a visit to a stunning nature reserve. The town is known for a local delicacy called the Forfar Bridie, a hearty meat and onion pastry.
Travel information
Forfar is just a few minutes off the A90. Travelling from Montrose takes around 30 minutes by car or bus following the A935 and A90. There are eight locations with electric vehicle charging points spread across the town.
Location 1: Farm Tour at Newton Farm
Spend the morning experiencing daily life on a Scottish farm and soaking up the tranquil, rural Angus landscape.
Newton Farm is a real working farm offering an award-winning, interactive and authentic farm experience to inspire young and old. You’ll be welcomed by farmers Graeme and Louise, who will introduce you to their animals and take you on a fun and educational tour of the farms. Their family has been farming here for four generations.
During your visit, you can hand-feed cows, sheep, goats, and Lucy, the micro pig. Collect eggs from the henhouse and enjoy the ‘Feeding Frenzy’ experience at feeding time.
And for the full, authentic Angus farm experience, take the friendly alpacas for a memorable walk or take part in the highland cow and alpaca experience. This includes hands-on grooming and feeding the farm’s highland cows and alpacas.
This is a truly memorable and unique opportunity to discover what daily life is like on a Scottish farm and where your food comes from throughout the seasons.
- Location: Inverarity, Forfar, Angus, Scotland, DD8 2JU
- Opening times: Farm tours and experiences available most days (booking required)
- Entry: Prices vary per experience – check the website for details
- Accessibility: The farm is relatively level and accessible to all and has an accessible toilet
Location 2: Pitmuies Gardens
The gardens at Pitmuies are world renowned, not just for an extensive and diverse collection of plants within the gardens but also for their sense of tranquillity and for the walks in the grounds which surround the historic and architecturally important grouping of buildings including the house, steading, wash house and doo’cot.
In early Spring the gardens have masses of spring bulbs. By May, the main garden starts to take form with subtle colours suggesting what is to come. By July, the borders and the rose garden are at their zenith.
Most visitors start in the traditional Kitchen Garden with its mixture of plants, vegetables and fruit and then continue on into the more Formal Garden where splendid rose and summer borders are to be found.
Beyond the gardens are walks in four main areas – the Vinny Walk, the Policy Field, the Black Loch and the Woodland Garden – where you are able to find magnificent trees and rhododendrons.
- Location: House of Pitmuies, Guthrie, DD8 2SN
- Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm, from April to September
- Entry: £5 per adult, accompanying children go free
- Accessibility: All levels of the gardens are accessible by paths but some walks have gates and steps so may not be so suitable. There is no accessible toilet. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Location 3: Lunch at Murton Tearoom
Murton Tearoom is situated at the edge of Murton Farm and Nature Reserve and is the ideal place to sit back and enjoy lunch while taking in the view across the pond. The tearoom has a large decked area where you can enjoy your meal al-fresco.
The tearoom offers a range of fantastic home cooking that includes lunch favourites like baked potatoes and sandwiches, as well as delicious daily specials. There is also a delicious range of baking and tasty snacks on offer, including their popular sweet and savoury scones made fresh every morning. People also recommend their homemade cheesecake.
Murton Tearoom uses as much locally sourced and seasonal produce in their dishes as possible, and their menu changes regularly to reflect this. Vegetarian options are available.
You can take your order away with you to enjoy at the picnic tables in the nature reserve.
Murton offers hours of relaxing and enjoyable nature-oriented experiences. Get a taste of life on the farm and meet some friendly farm animals. Enjoy a pleasant walk around the beautiful nature reserve to see the stunning lochs and wetlands, home to a wide variety of birds and wildfowl. Stop by the wildflower meadow in the spring and summer months to see a riot of colourful wildflowers, including bellflowers, cornflowers, and orchids.
- Location: Arbroath Road, Forfar DD8 2RZ
- Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and toilets
Location 4: Kinclune Estate
Escape to nature with Kinclune – a family-run, 800 acre, traditional Highland estate in the foothills to the Angus Glens and Cairngorm Mountains. Kinclune offer luxury accommodation and unique nature-based outdoor experiences on their award-winning nature-friendly organic estate.
Experiences include:
Farm Safari Trailer Tour: Ideal for photographers and birdwatchers, this tour takes you to the best spots to see wildlife such as Osprey and breeding waders, including Curlew and Lapwing, as well as a variety of mammals from tiny voles and red squirrels to roe and red deer.
Highland Pony Stud Visit: Come and meet the ponies in their natural environment and learn about breeding, temperament and their roles as working ponies on Scottish crofts, farms and estates.
Highland Pony Walk & Picnic: Enjoy a guided walk onto Kinclune Hill with one of the ponies carrying your picnic in the traditional panniers of working estate ponies. Take in the sights and sounds of the farm before enjoying a delicious, locally sourced picnic.
Guided Walk: With many beautiful and varied walks, Kinclune can organise a bespoke guided route for you depending on your interests and level of activity. Climb the Marilyn ‘Mile Hill’ to enjoy the incredible views, amble up Kinclune Hill to see the ponies, or stay on lower ground to hear about the nature conservation projects.
- Location: Kirkton of Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir, DD8 5HX
- Opening times: Experiences are available from 20 May to 20 October – advance booking is essential
- Entry: Prices vary per experience – see the website for details
Location 5: Dinner at Armstrong’s
After an action-packed second day, it’s time to enjoy some dinner and drinks at a wonderful local restaurant. Armstrong’s Bar and Restaurant offers an extensive menu and superb wine list to enjoy in a relaxed and contemporary atmosphere.
The dinner menu offers home-cooked Scottish cuisine using fresh, local produce and is complemented by the popular high tea, Sunday carvery and Wednesday steak night menus.
Armstrong’s is renowned for its quality of service, affordable prices, and overall experience. Dinners recommend the traditional dishes served here for their taste and presentation, and are particularly impressed by the scallops, deer, and sirloin steak. They also mention the varied selection of wines, ales and whiskies.
Enjoy cosy after-dinner drinks by the log burning stove. Perfect for colder nights.
- Location: Roundyhill, Glamis, DD8 1QT
- Opening times: Daily from 12 noon to late
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets
DAY 3 – ANGUS GLENS
Welcome to the Angus Glens
Day 3 brings you to the stunning Angus Glens. Whether you’re walking or cycling, the glens have routes for all abilities in some of the UK’s most outstanding scenery. From short strolls to long hikes, you’ll find the perfect walk for you here. And if you’re a keen cyclist, you’ll love the narrow twisting roads and incredible views.
Travel information
You can travel into the Angus Glens from various points, but visitors often use Kirriemuir as a base or starting point. The town is known as the ‘Gateway to the Glens’.
Kirriemuir is located just 10 minutes from the main A90 dual carriageway and only 15 minutes away from nearby Forfar by car or bus. There are eight locations with charging points for electric vehicles across the town.
Location 1: Enjoy a walk in the Angus Glens
A two hour walk from Kirriemuir’s town centre using the extensive path network will take you into Glen Prosen, one of the lesser-known and quieter glens. Walk this route to see the Scott-Wilson Memorial and Airlie Monument and enjoy stunning views across to Glen Clova, Glen Prosen and south towards Kirriemuir and Forfar.
Experienced walkers looking for a full day’s walk can head through Glen Clova to reach Corrie Fee in Glen Doll.
Corrie Fee is an incredible national nature reserve is considered one of the most picturesque and dramatic locations in Scotland; a massive bowl scooped out from the rugged mountainside by a glacier during the Ice Age. Contact the Glen Doll Ranger Centre in advance for routes and guides.
Part of the magic of exploring the Angus Glens is ‘munro bagging’. This is a popular pastime in Scotland where walking enthusiasts challenge themselves to climb as many of the peaks as they can. Munros are mountains over 3,000 ft (914.4m).
There are also many cycling opportunities in the Angus Glens, from short and reasonably flat road cycles to all-day cycles for advanced cyclists.
And if you don’t have your own bike, you can reserve a mountain bike or electric bike from Lintrathen Cycles. They are based in a small rural village at the foot of the Angus Glens.
Places to Eat
There are local cafes and restaurants to enjoy while exploring the Angus Glens. You may consider including this in your plans for your day trip.
Stop in at Peel Farm Coffee Shop for delicious home cooking and cakes or visit Wee Bear Cafe which is dog-friendly, both located near Loch of Lintrathen and a perfect stop when exploring Airlie Monument and Scott Wilson Memorial.
If you’re planning a visit into Glen Clova, Corrie Fee or Loch Brandy in Glen Doll, then rest your legs and enjoy local food and drink at Glen Clova Hotel.
Location 2: Dinner at Glen Clova Hotel
After an active afternoon, it’s time to relax and enjoy some well-earned dinner and drinks in Glen Clova Hotel’s rustic Climbers Bar or their grand Glen Logie restaurant.
Both the bar and the restaurant offer an impressive selection of Scottish and international dishes freshly prepared using a range of locally-sourced and seasonal produce.
From the lemon and black pepper scampi to exciting vegetarian options like the Sichuan vegetables and noodles, there is something on the Climbers Bar menu to please all tastes. You’ll find the bar to be authentic, original and very homely.
The bar offers a selection of gins from the nearby Gin Bothy, spirits from Ogilvy Vodka, local ales from Burnside Brewery, and the hotel’s own Clova Ale.
The hotel’s Glen Logie Restaurant showcases a blend of traditional home-cooked fayre and modern classics with a twist, including slow-cooked beef steak, chilli and lime coated chicken, and vegetable and chickpea Jalfrezi. With its huge bay window looking over the beautiful Angus Glens, the main restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy expertly cooked local produce after an unforgettable day’s walking or cycling.
You can also book a table for dinner at their Brandy Bothy, where you can enjoy your meal with spectacular views over their outside decking area and the countryside. The same high-quality food served in the main restaurant is also served in the Brandy Bothy.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available throughout the hotel’s dining facilities. Climbers Bar and the Brandy Bothy are dog-friendly.
- Location: Glen Clova, Near Kirriemuir, Angus, DD8 4QS
- Dinner service (booking required):
Monday to Friday: 5pm to 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12.30pm to 7pm
- Accessibility: Accessible entrance
Accommodation
Angus offers a broad choice of places to stay during your visit, from traditional cottages and coach houses to comfortable hotels in convenient locations.
Design your own adventure on The Angus Tour
It's easy to get to Angus by car, coach, train or air