Why Angus is the Perfect Place to Escape the Crowds

This is an advert based on a visit in January 2022. Please use this post as a guide and then use the Visit Angus website to plan your trip for the most up-to-date information. 
 
We visited Angus in January 2022 and just had the best time (make sure you read 11 Reasons to Visit Angus once you've finished this post). One of the things that really stuck me about the region was how beautiful and peaceful the great outdoors are here.

This post will mention The Angus Tour which is basically a free online tool provided by Visit Angus to design your own adventure in the region alongside a set of suggested itineraries based on various interests. It's worth checking out and super easy to use. Perfect if you are a planner like I am or simply need some inspiration for places to visit or things to do during your break. 


If like us, you enjoy travelling by train and find it to be a nice and relaxing way to start your trip, you will be pleased to hear that the region is super easy to get to by train from Newcastle with regular direct trains to Arbroath and Montrose and the journey taking a respectable 3-4 hours. 

If you're a family who enjoys nature, beautiful scenery and spending time outside away from the crowds, Visit Angus has put together a dedicated itinerary as part of The Angus Tour for those looking for a peaceful outdoor retreat. You can view the whole itinerary here and this post will share a few of the highlights. 

Where to Stay 

We stayed at Forbes of Kingennie and could not recommend this resort enough. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Our lodge overlooked one of the lakes and featured a balcony with stunning views. I recommend setting your alarm for sunrise and sitting out with a fresh coffee. I mean what a way to start the day. 

The resort offers lots of space and facilities (including a children's playground, maze and on-site pub and restaurant) and is the perfect blend of peaceful retreat, beautiful location and things to do. 

I believe some of the lodges will be equipped with hot tubs soon. Even better and a good excuse for us to return. The stars were so visible here and I bet sitting in a hot tub by the lake here at night is the perfect way to unwind. 

Family Walks 

There are plenty of opportunities for family walks in Angus (there are some suggested walking routes here) and you will be rewarded with stunning scenery, peace and quiet and plenty of wildlife too. 

If you are staying at Forbes of Kingennie as we were, you will be given a booklet with suggested walking routes around the estate ranging from quick 20 minutes strolls to more substantial walks around the estate at check in. 

Forbes of Kingennie Walking Routes 

Another place we enjoyed a leisurely stroll was in the grounds of House of Dun. There are formal gardens and woodland walks to try as well as a playground for children. If you are lucky, you might spot a red squirrel or two. 

A Family Fishing Lesson 

We booked a family fishing lesson at Forbes of Kingennie which was a bargain at £30 per adult (kids go free if booked with a paying adult). We were complete amateurs but really enjoyed ourselves. Fishing is just as relaxing as it looks and our youngest Jack commented on how relaxed he felt throughout which was nice to hear. We can't wait to try it again. 

If you've not fished before (or it's been a while), a family fishing lesson is the ideal introduction, the instructors are super patient and everything goes at your own pace. 

Monikie & Crombie Country Parks 

Monikie Country Park | Credit Visit Angus 

Both of these country parks are recommended in The Angus Tour for those looking for a peaceful outdoor retreat. They are free to visit (car parking charges apply). 

Monikie Country Park includes reservoirs, BBQ hire, various self-led trails and a brilliant adventure playground with play fort and Crombie Country Park features gorgeous views across the loch, a mini cycle track for mountain biking, a children's playground and picnic areas. 

Both Monikie and Crombie offer good opportunities for wildlife spotting with wildlife hides dotted across both sites and the chance to see woodpecker, red squirrels and even roe deer. 

Montrose Basin Visitor Centre 

Montrose Basin is a local Nature Reserve with a four star visitor centre. The visitor centre staff are so lovely and it's definitely worth popping in for an hour or so. It was such a relaxing experience for us. You can purchase a hot drink from the shop and enjoy in your own personal booth where you will find equipment to view the various water birds visiting the nature reserve. If you are lucky you may spot seals too (we managed to spot two). 

Don't worry at all if you aren't used to using binoculars etc....as the staff will keep you right. There are colouring sheets, interactive displays and children's activities to keep little ones entertained too. There is even a dedicated viewing area for children which is sweet. 

In autumn and winter the basin is home to over 100,000 migratory birds including pink-footed geese. 

Afterwards I highly recommend a walk around the basin if you have the chance. The views are so impressive and we had the place to ourselves. The staff at the visitor centre can point you in the direction of the best places to visit. 

Paddle Boarding 

Sup2Summit offer SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) on Montrose Basin for all abilities. What a brilliant way to enjoy the nature reserve. Suitable for ages 8+, the boards are large and stable making them ideal for beginners. I bet this is an unforgettable experience to try in Angus and it's a brilliant option for families with older kids and teens. 

Murton Farm & Nature Reserve 

Murton Farm & Nature Reserve is free to visit and a lovely place to really appreciate the Angus countryside. Visitors can meet the friendly farm animals including Kune Kune pigs and inquisitive breed goats, enjoy the sandpit, trampolines and adventure trail, take a walk around the lochs and nature reserve (the paths are very well maintained here) before stopping at the tea room for a slice of home made cake and a hot drink. This sounds like a blissful way to spend an afternoon to me. 

Arborath Harbour 

We stopped at Arbroath Harbour on a sleepy Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a short walk around as we admired the fishing boats and discovered more about the Smokie Trail. There's something about visiting a harbour and watching the boats bob up and down which is just so relaxing isn't there? It was a lovely place to end our trip before heading home. 

I have shared just a few recommendations for things to do in Angus if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet break, away from the crowds but still enjoy activities and some of the best the region has to offer.  If you are looking for more ideas, you can discover more ideas in this three day itinerary put together as part of The Angus Tour for those looking for a peaceful and outdoor retreat. 

The itinerary has been designed to follow at your own pace and you can pick and choose what you'd like to do or create your own itinerary. For example we picked some elements from the 'peaceful outdoor retreat' itinerary alongside some 'history and heritage' and 'food and drink' options too. 

You can view all of the The Angus Tour Itineraries & start planning your own trip here.