Location 1: Arbirlot Falls

Arbirlot is a small village, approx. 2 miles west of Arbroath, and is home to a spectacular 23 foot waterfall.

The waterfall comes from the Elliot Water, a minor river around 7 and a half miles long which flows through Arbirlot before reaching the North Sea at Elliot, Arbroath.

Your walk here will follow the trackbed of an old Angus railway line. It provides a well-graded path for a pleasant walk from Elliot to the pretty village of Arbirlot. The village dates back at least to 1000AD when it is believed that Danish Invaders destroyed the first church here.

The railway line originally ran to Redford and quarries situated around a mile north of Arbirlot. In the late 18th century, the line was used to transport stone roof slates that were mined from the local area to Arbroath and Dundee.

The walk starts in a small public car park at Elliot, just off the A92 as it enters the outskirts of Arbroath from the south.

• Location: Arbirlot, Arbroath, DD11 2NX

Location 2: Lunch at Smithies Deli

Smithies is a delicatessen, off sales & café stocking unique products from rum, wine, whisky, chocolates, olives & beyond.

The deli expanded next door in 2022 and now provides a cosy café area where you can grab a coffee, home baking & paninis or a gin & a platter.

Don’t miss browsing the deli before you leave – Smithies stock a great selection of pantry items, from olive oil to oatcakes, nibble selections for entertaining, a 3 meter long fridge bursting with cheeses and deli goodies.

• Location: Keptie Street, Arbroath, DD11 1RG
• Opening times:
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 10am to 4pm
  • Friday & Saturday: 10am to 10pm
• Accessibility: Level access entry and accessible toilet

Location 3: Seaton Cliffs

Arbroath’s Seaton Cliffs start at the east end of Victoria Park, where the path winds up above the Arbroath cliffs and levels out to provide a path along the coastline.

On one side are open fields, and on the other the open sea!  The path is quite close to the edge of the cliffs at times, so be careful.

Seaton Cliffs have a number of fascinating rock formations such as The Deil’s Heid, and Needles E’e, as well as numerous sea caves, stacks, blowholes and arches.

The Arbroath Cliff Trail provides a wealth of information about these stunning cliffs and what visitors here can see.

From the car park at the end of Victoria Park, it is possible to follow a three mile (5km) nature trail to the picturesque village of Auchmithie set atop the cliffs.

• Location: Victoria Park, Arbroath, DD11 5TB

Location 4: Auchmithie

Auchmithie is a small village on the coast of Angus around three miles north east of Arbroath. The village itself stands above 120ft cliffs, while below them is an attractive pebble beach, an old harbour, and some fascinating rock architecture.

To the north, the beach is surrounded by sheer red sandstone cliffs. These are pierced by a number of rock arches and caves, the latter once making this a popular area for smugglers.

The south end of the bay is home to Auchmithie’s old harbour, above which a few small boats are pulled up on the shore.

The scenic beach is well worth a visit and can be reached via the Arbroath Coastal Path from Seaton Cliffs.

• Location: Auchmithie, Arbroath, DD11 5SQ

Location 5: Dinner at the But n Ben

Set in the charming sleepy village of Auchmithie, the But n Ben is a homely restaurant serving traditional Scottish food. This hidden gem offers a friendly, informal atmosphere and great food.

The restaurant is known for its seafood dishes, traditional Scottish country cooking, and home-baked cakes. Naturally, you’ll find the local delicacy served here, the Arbroath Smokie. You can enjoy a traditional buttered Arbroath Smokie or have your Smokie served in a soup or even a savoury pancake.

There are fresh mussels and oysters from Shetland and the west coast on the menu, as well as crab and lobster caught in local waters. The venison and game are sourced from the estates around Royal Deeside, and they also serve Aberdeen Angus beef. Seasonal fruit and vegetables are sourced from the surrounding farms.

The impressive menu offers nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options too.

• Location: Auchmithie, Arbroath, DD11 5SQ
• Lunch service: Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm to 10.30pm (closed Tuesday)
• Accessibility: Partial disabled access

Location 1: Montrose Basin Visitor Centre

Located just outside the town center, Montrose Basin is a designated local Nature Reserve with a four-star visitor centre. It offers an unforgettable experience for families and nature enthusiasts.

In autumn and winter, the Basin is home to over 100,000 migratory birds including pink-footed geese, wigeon and a variety of other waterfowl and waders, while during the spring and summer months the estuary supports various breeding colonies including sand martins, common terns and eider.”

Four remote bird hides spread across the reserve offer the best locations to see some of these wonderful bird species for yourself. You may even spot a seal or two.

There is more to do inside the fantastic visitor centre. Admire the stunning panoramic views across the reserve using the binoculars and telescopes provided. Children will love the interactive toys and games that include quizzes and their ‘call a curlew’ telephone to listen to bird calls. There are regular family events that run throughout the year.

• Location: Rossie Braes, Montrose, DD10 9TA
• Opening times:
  • Mid-February to October – Monday to Sunday: 10.30am to 5pm
  • November to Mid-February – Friday to Monday: 10.30am to 4pm
• Accessibility: Partial disabled access with accessible parking and toilets

Location 2: Lunch at the Pavilion Cafe

The Pavilion Café is located in the former Bowling Pavilion situated in Melville Gardens, Montrose.

The café serves tasty food including daily specials, made using fresh produce and local ingredients.

Advance booking is recommended as this is a small establishment with limited tables and at peak times can be very busy.

There is a dog-friendly outside seating area to the side of the café with fresh water and doggie treats.

• Location: Melville Gardens, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8HG
• Opening times:
  • Wednesday to Saturday: 9.30am to 3pm
• Accessibility: Accessible toilets.

Location 3: Scurdie Ness Lighthouse

Scurdie Ness lighthouse was built by David Stevenson and Thomas Stevenson and was lit for the first time on Tuesday 1 March 1870. During World War II the lighthouse was temporarily painted black.

The word Scurdie is a local word for the volcanic rock found there and Ness means headland.

Originally the light was fixed white but was changed to isophase white 60 seconds (i.e. light 30 seconds, eclipse 30 seconds) in 1907. The lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in 1987 and now displays 3 white flashes separated by 2.5 seconds and repeated every 20 seconds.

The road to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse is a popular walk and sightings of seals and dolphins are not unusual. Whales are sometimes seen in the area including rare sightings of humpback whales.

• Location: Montrose, DD10 9SH

Location 4: Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock can be reached just to the north of Boddin Point, Montrose.

It is a naturally formed coastal arch of volcanic rock nestling in a steep, secluded bay that has been shaped by the elements and closely resembles the shape of an elephants head and truck, hence the name!

• Location: Boddin Point, Montrose, DD10 9SQ

Location 5: Dinner at Hillside Hotel

The Hillside Hotel is a family-run hotel based in the village of Hillside, around 1 mile from Montrose.

Their menu is full of fresh, homemade food using the finest local meats, game, seafood and vegetables. It includes traditional fish and chips, burgers, nachos, pies, curries, and many other delicious options.

The menu has great options for children. Vegetarians are catered for too. There are also several tempting desserts to choose from, including their famous cheesecake of the day.

• Location: Kinnaber Road, Hillside, by Montrose, DD10 9HE
• Opening times:
  • Monday to Sunday: 5pm to 8pm
• Accessibility: Partial disabled access with accessible parking and toilets

Location 1: Kirriemuir Den

Kirrie Den, or ‘The Den’ (as it’s known locally), is a public park close to the centre of the town. It was opened in 1867 and extended later in the 19th century. The main gate is located on Tannage Brae where there is a public car park opposite.

Kirrie Den sits in a small valley with the Gairie Burn running through it and includes many pleasant walks. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfall at the northwest end of The Den.

The burn can be quite spectacular when it’s in spate and is best viewed from the High Bridge near Lochmill.

• Location: Tannage Brae, Kirriemuir, DD8 4ES
• Accessibility: Not all routes around the park are suitable for disabled users or families with pushchairs

Location 2: Lunch at 88 Degrees

Enjoy a light lunch at this independent coffee shop in Kirriemuir’s town centre, selling freshly made food and coffee in eclectic surroundings.

The menu features custom-roasted coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches including salads, soups and quiches.

• Location: High Street, Kirriemuir, DD8 4BA
• Opening times:
  • Wednesday to Saturday – 10am to 4pm
  • Sunday – 10am to 3pm
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets

Location 3: Loch Brandy

Loch Brandy is located nearly 610m (2,000 feet) above sea level on the western slopes of the Green Hill above Glen Clova.

Loch Brandy is a superb example of a mountain corrie, backed by craggy slopes and cradling a perfect loch.  Although it is relatively small, the fact it is a type of loch-hill makes it much more attractive, but the great thing is that the entire area around Loch Brandy creates a tremendous landscape.

It is said to be the only site in Scotland where a very rare and tiny water creature called the diatom is to be found. It is bright orange in colour.

• Location: Glen Clova, DD8 4QS

Location 4: 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.

The hotel’s Glen Logie Restaurant showcases a blend of traditional home-cooked fayre and modern classics with a twist. 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.

• Location: Glen Clova, Near Kirriemuir, Angus, DD8 4QS
• Dinner Service:

Monday to Friday: 5pm to 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12.30pm to 7pm

• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, accessible toilet