From Glamis Castle to Coastal Cliffs: Your Ultimate Angus Travel Guide
Nestled between Perth, Aberdeenshire, and the City of Dundee lies Angus (Aonghas in Gaelic), one of the thirty-two local government areas of Scotland. The beautiful landscape of the region can be divided into three areas with different characteristics: to the north and west, the territory is mountainous, sparsely populated, and rich in pastures that favor the traditional activity of sheep farming. Here, the five Angus Glens, long and narrow valleys that offer a fascinating and suggestive panorama, give the opportunity to go on long walks, climbs, and pony trekking, as well as attracting birdwatching and botany enthusiasts, thanks to the interesting and uncontaminated fauna and flora. The Angus Glens Walking Festival takes place here annually, an event dedicated to mountain enthusiasts, made unforgettable by the unique scenery.
This area is also the oldest and richest heart of historical evidence, which has its roots in the distant age of the Picts and then travels an exciting climb toward the present day, through tales of kings, queens, and adventurers. In the southern and eastern part of Angus, a row of rolling hills overlooks the coast, mirroring themselves in the sea: this region is more densely populated and is where the major centers of the area are located, including the city of Dundee. Between the two areas thus defined, then, extends the Great Valley of Strathmore, a fertile and lush oasis known for its rich production of potatoes and fruit and for the lively fishing activity.
Glamis: A Village Steeped in Legend
Not to be missed under any circumstances is the small village of Glamis (which, contrary to what you might expect, is pronounced ‘glams’), famous above all for its magnificent and imposing castle. Located 200 km north of Edinburgh, in Tayside, it is one of the most important castles in Scotland, made even more famous by William Shakespeare, who chose the Baron of Glamis as the protagonist of Macbeth. If you are wondering what the reason is for such great fame that it has gone around the world, here you are: Glamis Castle is one of the haunted houses in the United Kingdom, among the richest in dark secrets and linked to several mysterious events.
When the Strathmore family, long residents of the large and disturbing rooms of the house, arrived there for the first time in the 16th century, the name of the castle was already inextricably linked to a long series of dramatic and inexplicable events, unless one admits the existence of an evil and mysterious entity. Legend has it that in the 10th century, before the construction of the castle, Macbeth murdered Duncan I, his cousin and king of Scotland, in the exact spot where the sinister palace would later be built. In 1034, the second episode of the atrocious chain of deaths took place: the Scottish king Malcolm II was cut to pieces right inside the castle, which had already been built at that time. Even today, visiting the rooms of the building, an inattentive tourist could step on the dark stain of blood that no one has ever managed to erase from the old floor.
Even John Lyon, in 1372, dared to challenge the forces of evil and did not come to a good end: despite an ancient prophecy forbidding it, when he moved from his old residence to the fortress of Glamis, he wanted to take with him a chalice that should not have left his house. Since the magical object was transferred, not only was Sir John killed in a duel, but countless atrocious misfortunes befell the village.
Today, the quiet of the manor is disturbed by the ghost of Lady Campbell, wife of the sixth Earl of Glamis in the 16th century: accused of witchcraft, she spent the last years of her life in a slow agony, imprisoned in the dungeons. Now death has given her freedom, and she often enjoys swinging in a blaze of fire above the clock tower.
Forfar: The Administrative Centre of Angus
About 8 km from Glamis Castle lies Forfar, the administrative center of Angus, where you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and try to forget the curses and mysteries of Glamis. No ghosts here, but only a village based on agritourism and agriculture, which rather than becoming legendary for its ghosts prefers to dedicate itself to cooking and making itself known for the traditional Forfar Bride, the typical meat pie.
Worth seeing is the East and Old Church, a beautiful church from 1790 featuring a slender spire, 45 meters high and visible from every part of the city, topped by an old clock that marks the quiet time of Forfar. The Lowson Memorial Church, on the other hand, saw the light in 1914 in perfect neo-Gothic style, with a precious interior made alive and vibrant by the splendid stained glass windows.
Just outside the center, you can enjoy long, relaxing walks in the greenery of Forfar Loch Country Park, with its lake and cool woodland.
Arbroath and the East Coast
The largest town in Angus is Arbroath (or Aberbrothock), with 22,785 inhabitants, located on the east coast of Scotland, about 82 km from Aberdeen and 27 km northeast of Dundee. Tourism plays a rather important role for the town, thanks above all to the famous Arbroath Abbey, an abbey consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to Thomas Becket, which attracts 14,000 tourists every year.
During the summer, the attractions multiply with the Seafront Spectacular, a festival that also includes an air show, and the Seafest, a themed party about the port and maritime life of Arbroath. It is also worth visiting Brechin, traditionally considered a city thanks to the presence of the cathedral and the seat of the Scottish Episcopal Church, even if it has never officially received the status of a city.
Brechin: The Cathedral and Pictish Heritage
The cathedral itself is the main reason for Brechin’s fame: it is an almost unique building, the only surviving monument in Scotland in a typically Irish style, together with Abernethy in Perthshire. Although the building has undergone alterations over the centuries, the west tower and the portal clearly show signs of the medieval style of the 14th and 15th centuries.
Also interesting is Pictavia, a center that tells the story of the ancient Scottish tribe of the Picts, a warlike people who took over Angus about two thousand years ago, through archaeological finds and faithful multimedia reconstructions of their habits. Particularly curious are their carved stones, which show symbolic images of birds, animals, warriors, and propitiatory signs.
Beaches and Cliffs: Discover the Angus Coastline
Once you have visited the most interesting cities, those who want to admire the sublime Scottish landscape can set out to discover the beaches and cliffs. Fifty miles of uncontaminated coastline, between fine sands like that of Montrose and the characteristic red stone cliffs. Particularly suggestive are the cliffs of Boddin Point, overlooking an often rough sea, terrible and splendid at the same time.
Experience the Highland Games and Food Festivals
In Scotland, the Highlands Games are held annually in the summer months. These are sports competitions that involve various cities scattered around the country and include various physical activities. Almost all the activities require an entrance fee, which varies from 3 to 6 pounds per day, but once you get into the heart of the party you understand that it was worth being there: in addition to the more professional competitions, in fact, great attention is paid to visitors, and activities for beginners are set up that everyone can take part in, as well as food stands and games for children. One of the stages of the Highlands Games is the city of Glamis.
After sport comes the time for the pleasures of the palate: gourmands and gourmets will not miss the Forfar Food Fest, an annual culinary event that every August offers gastronomic specialities not only from Forfar but from all over Angus, in the enchanting setting of Forfar’s Myre Park. In addition to the tastings, always welcome, there will be live demonstrations of typical recipes, more or less professional culinary competitions, and activities involving the public. Between March and April, Tartan Day is celebrated, a festival of music, traditional dances, food, games for the whole family… all while wearing the inevitable typically Scottish garment.
Climate and How to Get to Angus
Angus has a temperate, mild, and sunny climate. It is the driest area in Britain, with only 25 more days of rain per year than the dry southeast of England, and a lower risk of thunderstorms than the rest of the country. Compared to London and the surrounding area, Angus also had 24 more hours of sunshine in May 2006, which gives you an idea of how pleasant the climate is. However, the region will not disappoint those looking for snow: in winter, the highest peaks of the Glens are white and particularly beautiful.
Angus is served by Dundee Airport, located just a short drive from Dundee city centre, which provides links to the surrounding regions of Tayside, Perthshire, and Fife. The area is a great base from which to plan a tour of Scotland. Like Dundee, Aberdeen Airport offers local and international flights, especially to Scandinavian and European destinations. Edinburgh and Glasgow International Airports offer direct international and transatlantic flights.
