If summer for you means fresh air and a bit of adventure, Angus is a good place to start. Our outdoor experiences range from scenic glens and tranquil coastlines to wildlife encounters, watersports, golf and family-friendly farm visits, so there’s something here whether you like your days out gentle and relaxing or a little more action-packed.

Country parks are a great choice if you want to enjoy some quiet relaxation among the trees. Monikie, Crombie and Forfar Loch all offer fantastic self-led trails and picnic-friendly settings. If you’re keen to get on the water, there are plenty of ways to dive in. Angus Aqua Splash at Monikie Country Park offers a floating inflatable obstacle course, and you can also try various watersports including kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.

If gardens are more your pace, summer is also a lovely time to wander some of Angus’s beautiful gardens. Pitmuies and Dunninald Castle boast stunning walled gardens with extensive collections of plants, shrubs and trees to admire. And some of our historic attractions, including Glamis Castle, House of Dun, Edzell Castle and Hospitalfield, all have beautiful outdoor spaces steeped in history to explore.

For beach days, stops along the Angus coast include Monifieth Beach, Carnoustie Bay, East Haven Beach, West Links Beach, Auchmithie Beach, Lunan Bay and Montrose Beach. Perfect for a full day of paddling, picnics, rockpooling and sandy-shoe adventures.

Wildlife lovers are well looked after too. Incredible wildlife and walks await you in Montrose Basin. Sprawling over 750 hectares, this wonderful wildlife haven is home to over 80,000 migratory birds. It’s also part of the Wild South Esk – a 50 mile-trail travelling through mountains, glens, woodland, riverside walks, farmland and estuaries. Visit Glen Esk, the best place in Scotland to see adders, Scotland’s only snake, as well as ospreys and golden eagles, or a local nature reserve such as Balgavies Loch or Loch of Kinnordy.

If farm experiences are high on the summer wish list, Angus has plenty of those too. Newton Farm offer award-winning farm tour experiences for all ages, as well as Highland Cow experiences and alpaca walking. Enjoy pick-your-own produce, a play area and fun summer activities at Charleton Farm, while Upper Dysart and Peel Farm also bring animals and outdoor fun together in ways that feel easy, memorable and perfect for summer.

Fancy taking it easy and enjoying the views without the hard work? Pathhead Equestrian Centre near Kirriemuir welcomes riders of all ages and experience levels, offering everything from pony rides and lead rein sessions to private lessons, group lessons and midweek hacks.

Summer with the family doesn’t always need a complicated plan – sometimes you just need somewhere with enough to keep everyone happy.

Angus has a whole collection of Children’s Trails designed with young explorers in mind, including a Beach Trail, Museum Trail, Scavenger Hunt, Soft Play Trail, Playpark Trail and Attractions Trail. They’re a simple but brilliant way to turn an ordinary outing into a mini adventure.

Murton is a strong contender for an easy summer favourite. Alongside the visitor farm, nature reserve and tearoom, Summer at Murton runs from 3 July to 16 August and includes free activities such as Hidden Object Trail sessions, Family Crafting, Tots in the Tipi, Meet the Animals, Murton Makers, Storytelling in the Tipi, Nature Crafts and a Family Fun Run.

At Montrose Basin, Wild About the Basin offers primary-school-aged children a chance to try nature-themed activities such as pond-dipping, mini beast hunts and nature art, with the added bonus of wildlife watching and interactive displays at the visitor centre afterwards. It’s a lovely one for curious little nature fans.

Charleton Farm has a couple of great summer options for families too. The Charleton Summer Hunt & Charleton Challenge runs from 17 June to 23 August, with one activity aimed at younger children and the other designed for older kids, each ending with a prize. On selected dates, Charleton Farm Animal Adventures also give children and adults the chance to meet Highland cows, goats and Kunekune pigs and help feed some of them.

For classic family day-out energy, there’s A Day Out with Thomas at the Caledonian Railway in Brechin on 25 & 26 July and 29 & 30 August, with train rides behind Thomas, Sir Topham Hatt, fairground rides, storytelling and more. Glamis Castle Summer Family Fun Day on 9 August combines outdoor activities, inflatables, market stalls, live music and a stroll around the gardens and grounds. And if you’re looking for a wider programme to dip into, ANGUSalive Summer Holiday Activities run from 6 July to 17 August with dance, sports, outdoor adventure and creative sessions for different ages and interests.

Angus always has plenty going on in the summer, and the 2026 events calendar is looking particularly lively.

July gets going with the Brechin Bike & Trike Fest on 4 July, bringing bikes, trikes, live music, food and family-friendly fun to Brechin Public Park. The Peel Farm Summer Market adds local makers, music, storytelling and family fun on 3 and 31 July, while the Makers Market at Charleton Farm on 11 & 12 July brings together more than 20 local stalls, artisan products and treats.

If you enjoy an event with a strong summer-evening feel, Summer Sunset Sessions at Forbes of Kingennie run on 12, 19, 26 July and 2 August, pairing live DJ sets with waterside views, food and drinks. For heritage, Auchmithie HAAR Heritage Day on 25 July brings village history to life with fisherfolk, Smokies in the barrel, a traditional wedding and children’s activities. And for big crowd energy, the Scottish Transport Extravaganza at Glamis Castle on 11 & 12 July will gather more than 1,700 vehicles, parades, pipe bands, stalls and amusements.

There’s more traditional summer spirit at the Kirriemuir Agricultural Show on 18 July, which has been running for over 140 years and combines livestock classes, vintage vehicles and agricultural displays.

Then, as July turns into August, Arbroath Fest on 31 July & 1 August brings live music, family activities and local food together in one action packed weekend.

Later in the season, there’s still plenty to look forward to. Summer’s End Angus Music Festival lands in Brechin from 14–16 August with 40+ bands across three stages, while the Rottal Food & Drink Festival on 29 August promises local flavours and a day of food, drink and entertainment. And if your idea of a summer send-off involves live music and drinks with friends, Kingennie Fest also returns on 29 August.

Of course, no guide to summer in Angus would be complete without mentioning golf. Angus is home to 17 courses stretching from the east coast to the Angus Glens, including links, parkland and heathland options, plus famous names such as Carnoustie Championship and Montrose 1562.

Whether you’re planning a one-off round, a stay-and-play break or a dedicated golf trip, Angus is one of those destinations that makes it very easy to spend a summer day outdoors with a club in hand.

If one day in Angus never quite feels enough, the good news is that it’s easy to turn a summer outing into a longer stay. Angus offers everything from cosy B&Bs and hotels to self-catering cottages, caravan and camping options, glamping stays and farm stays, with something to suit different budgets and styles of trip.

And when it’s time to refuel, Angus delivers there too. Visit local cafés, restaurants, bars and farm shops, featuring produce that Angus is well known for – from Arbroath Smokies and Angus beef to Forfar Bridies, local coffee, gin, whisky and more. In other words, there are plenty of good reasons to stay for dinner.