Angus Guide

Angus is a contrasting landscape, where rugged coastlines, gentle lowlands and Highland Glens, merge easily and unexpectedly, and produce world-class golf locations set against dramatic and breath-taking scenery. Give yourself plenty of time to absorb romantic castles, glistening beaches and stunning formal gardens; experience top-quality visitor attractions that inform, inspire and entertain; and indulge in modern, 21st century, cosmopolitan city life, which blends shopping, art, theatre and culture.

Some facts about Angus:

• The famous 'smoked haddock' can only claim the official title if they're smoked within a five-mile radius of the Angus town of Arbroath. Legend has it that the smoked haddock's origins was an absolute fluke: fishermen used to store their fish in the lofts of their cottages and it was when one of the cottage burnt down with a stash of haddock inside that the Smoke flavour was discovered.

• The Angus town of Kirriemuir is the birthplace of JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan. The wash-house at the back of the author's childhood home is said to have been the inspiration for the Wendy house.

• The original lead singer/ songwriter of the Australian heavy metal band AC/DC, was born in the Angus town, Kirriemuir.

• Glamis Castle, in Angus, is the legendary seat of Macbeth. It was also the childhood home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and her younger daughter Princess Margaret.

• Angus' Carnoustie Golf Course has evidence of the game being played there as early 1527—25 years' earlier than St Andrews first written reference of 1552.

• James Chalmer's invention, the sticky postage stamp is credited with having saved the Penny Postage Service, the precursor to today's Royal Mail.

• The Angus cattle breed isn't the region's only fine food export. The county is also famous for its potatoes and soft fruits, with nearly half of Scotland's Class 1 agricultural land in Angus.

Here are just some places to visit in and around Angus: