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Castles
in Angus.

It’s 20:56 in Angus.
Angus

Glamis, Edzell and the Lindsay towers.

The castles of Angus run from a royal home to roofless towers in the hills. Glamis, pink and turreted, has belonged to the Earls of Strathmore since 1372 and was the childhood home of the Queen Mother. Near Edzell, the red sandstone ruin of the Lindsays' castle keeps its walled garden of 1604, and at the head of Glen Esk their tall tower at Invermark stands by Loch Lee. There is a Gothic Revival castle near Montrose, a country park on the edge of Brechin, and the hill where Forfar's royal castle stood. Some open only in summer, so check before setting out.

All places to visitDistilleriesMuseumsGardensAbbeysWalks
From the magazine19 hours ago

Legend says a ghostly drummer haunts Cortachy Castle in Angus, and his drum can still be heard echoing from its high walls with no drummer to be seen.

Cortachy dates back to the 15th century and is the home of the Ogilvy Earls of Airlie, and the tale of its drummer has been passed down the family from generation to generation in several versions. In one, a young drummer was left behind as a lookout while the Earl was away, with orders to beat his drum loudly at the first sign of danger. He fell asleep at his post and woke to find the castle already under attack. The drummer swore he would never make the same mistake again, and legend says he still returns to beat a warning to the family whenever disaster is near.

Read the full story in Issue 9
Castle of the day17 hours ago

Edzell Castle.

The red sandstone ruin of the Lindsays' castle near Edzell, with its famous walled garden of 1604 and the summer house where the family took the evening air.

Read about it
Did you know16 hours ago

Princess Margaret was born at Glamis Castle, in Angus.

Glamis was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and in 1930 her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, was born there.

See Glamis Castle · Angus
From the magazine14 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 13Issue 13Autumn / Winter 2026-27

Five old workers' cottages in Glamis, Angus, which once held the Angus Folk Museum, reopened in 2019 as a gallery run by two of its artists.

The landscape painter Jonathan Mitchell usually works from the first of the five studios. Entry is free, and dogs are welcome too. The village makes an easy day out, because Glamis Castle, the castle that inspired Macbeth, is there as well. Round the day off at the Gin Bothy Experience in the atmospheric old smiddy, or blacksmith's forge, of Glamis. It is about more than tasting award-winning spirits: it is a place to hear the stories behind them and learn about the culture of Scottish bothies, the simple shelters of the hills.

See Glamis Gallery · Angus
From our guide13 hours ago

House of Dun.

On a rise above Montrose Basin stands a square Georgian house of pale sandstone with a grand arched doorway. William Adam designed it for David Erskine, the 13th Laird of Dun, and building began in 1730. The saloon is the glory of the house, its walls and ceiling covered in rich plasterwork finished in 1743. The poet Violet Jacob grew up here. Outside there are old stone courtyards, a parterre of clipped box, a long walled garden and woodland walks among great conifers. The National Trust for Scotland looks after it, and the gardens and estate are open all year.

See the place
From the magazine11 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 13Issue 13Autumn / Winter 2026-27

The Edzell Blue Door Walk, in Angus, takes its name from the blue door you go in by, and leads above a gorge to a stretch called the Rocks of Solitude.

It is a popular, low-level circular route through woodland and countryside near the village of Edzell. Gentle paths run high above the gorge, with views of crashing water below, and the Rocks of Solitude make the perfect place for a quiet moment. The family at Newtonmill House, near Brechin, name them among the places to see to understand the natural beauty that has inspired generations in Angus. Back in the village, Edzell Castle is best known for its extraordinary walled garden, still cared for today.

See Edzell Blue Door Walk · Angus
Did you know9 hours agoGraeme JohncockWritten byGraeme JohncockRead Graeme’s piece

Graeme Johncock, who travels Scotland for our series, counts the ruined kirk of St Drostan's, at the end of Glen Esk in Angus, among his favourite quiet places.

‘I began in the mountains, heading up Glen Esk with a stop at the incredible wee folk museum there. It’s packed with stories of real people from the glen and there’s always something new that jumps out at me. The goal of the journey was at the very end of the road, where a short walk leads past the towering Invermark Castle to the ruins of St Drostan’s on Loch Lee. There’s something very special about that spot, it’s one of my favourite quiet places where history seems to envelop you.’

Graeme JohncockWritten byGraeme JohncockRead Graeme’s pieceSee Glen Esk · Angus
Somewhere to go8 hours ago

Glamis Castle, Angus.

The pink turreted castle of the Earls of Strathmore since 1372, childhood home of the Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret.

Read about it
Lunch6 hours agoAngusLilybank Bakehouse2.2 milesAngusTomorrow Is Another Day2.2 milesAngusThe Funky Wee Teapot2.3 miles

Lunch near Dunninald Castle and Gardens.

The three good places closest to it: Lilybank Bakehouse, Tomorrow Is Another Day and The Funky Wee Teapot.

See Dunninald Castle and Gardens
From the magazine5 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 13Issue 13Autumn / Winter 2026-27

The Queen Mother, who grew up at Glamis Castle in Angus, was a frequent visitor to Newtonmill House near Brechin, and gave roses to its walled garden.

Today two cosy cottages on the 25-acre Newtonmill estate are let to guests, with traditional charm, modern comforts and a wood-burning stove for cold nights. Woodland, gardens and wildlife surround them, and it is about as peaceful a getaway as you'll find. Ask about a walk round the walled garden, and keep an eye out for red squirrels. Luke, Elaine and Adrian of Newtonmill suggest beginning a tour of Angus in Montrose, then visiting Brechin Cathedral, Arbroath Abbey and Glamis Castle, three places that tell the story of Scotland itself.

Read the full story in Issue 13
Did you know2 hours ago

The Red Castle above Lunan Bay, in Angus, was first built under William the Lion.

The ruin on the bank above the sands of Lunan Bay is the Red Castle. It was first built in the reign of William the Lion, king of Scots.

Photograph: Tork Mackenzie on Google MapsSee Lunan Bay · Angus
From the magazine30 minutes agoThe printed copy of Issue 13Issue 13Autumn / Winter 2026-27

Glamis Castle, near Forfar in Angus, the castle that inspired Macbeth, is steeped in legends of secret rooms, mysterious monsters and ghosts.

Behind its magnificent red sandstone walls lie centuries of history, and it is renowned for its royal connections as the childhood home of the Queen Mother. The castle shuts for winter, but it opens specially in February for its Snowdrop Weekends. A tractor ride takes visitors down to The Dell, where the snowdrops are thickest, and there are bulbs to plant and a firepit to warm up at after. Tickets for the Snowdrop Weekends of February 2027 are £6 for adults and £3 for children.

See Glamis Castle · Angus

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