20 Attractions to Explore Near Cortachy Castle

A majestic 15th century castle originally built on the L-plan, but the E wing has almost entirely disappeared, leaving the main tower, which measures 45ft by 35ft. Its walls are 8ft thick and rise four storeys to a parapet and walk, within which is the usual attic storey. The castle was first constructed as a rectangular tower in the 1440s, by Alexander Ogilvie, 2nd Lord Inverquharity. In the 16th century a wing was added to form a four-storey L-plan castle.

A majestic monument which was erected in memory of the11th Earl of Airlie who was killed in the Boer War on 11th June 1900. The ceremony of laying the memorial stone took place on 2nd September 1901. It is 65 feet high and is 1230 feet above sea level. It is an important landmark and a focal point for the community of Glen Clova, Glen Prosen, Cortachy and the surrounding area – indeed so prominent that it can be seen for many miles around.

A fine exmaple of a late 15th century tower-house on the L-plan. It contains four storeys and a garret; the walls are of coursed rubble. The ashlar corbelled parapet and angle turrets are of 16th c date, as are the crow-stepped gables and chimney stacks. The castle was built on the lands of the Auchenlecks of that Ilk. In the early 18th century it belonged to a family of Reids, who forfeited the castle in 1746 because of their activities as Jacobites. It has not been occupied since 1760, when a

J M Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, spent his childhood in this small whitewashed cottage, and it’s here that you can see traces of the creative spirit he was set to become. The son of a weaver, Barrie lived with his seven brothers and sisters in two upstairs rooms, while his father’s weaving workshop was downstairs. The washhouse in the yard was Barrie’s first theatre – and may even have inspired the Wendy house in Peter Pan.

Gateway to the Glens Museum is situated in Kirriemuir Town House. Built as the town's jail and courthouse it has been at the heart of Kirriemuir since its construction in 1604. The museum opened in 2001, after the building was carefully restored and conserved. The museum tells the story of Kirriemuir and the Angus Glens through a programme of temporary exhibitions, a model of the town as it was in 1604, a natural history diorama and a display of rare archaeological finds from the area, including

A beautiful shallow loch, situated in a natural basin surrounded by farmland and attracts all types of wildlife. This is an eutrophic loch which supports a number of rare species of wetland plants and migratory birds. As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, Loch of Kinnordy has been designated a Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Loch of Forfar is a freshwater loch lying on the western side of the town of Forfar, Scotland. The loch trends in an east to west direction and is approximately 1 mi in length. The loch and area around it form Forfar Loch Country Park. The 4 kilometre path around Forfar Loch is suitable for all abilities and forms part of the wider Forfar Path Network. Kingfisher, otter, fox and roe deer are among the regularly spotted park residents. Look out for fishing osprey during the summer.

This beautiful country park was located on the west end of the historic burgh of Forfar, visitors can escape to the countryside yet be only a five to ten minute walk from town centre facilities. There are many ways to enjoy the country park. The circular route around the loch is 4 kms long and is suitable for all abilities. The route forms part of the larger Forfar Path Network. A wide variety of wildlife makes the country park its home. Pause on your way round, take in the surroundings, and you

Finavon Castle lies on the River South Esk, about a quarter of a mile south of Milton of Finavon village and five miles to the north-east of Forfar in Angus, Scotland. The castle was an L-plan tower-house of five storeys, with a garret and a courtyard. The tower visible today dates from about 1600. Excavations have revealed that the tower is an adjunct tacked onto the north-east corner of a much older, more extensive structure.

The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery is the flagship venue for Angus Council's fine art collection. Here two galleries are devoted to art exhibitions, bringing the work of a range of contemporary Scottish artists to Angus. Two further galleries explore 'The Forfar Story' from the time of Pictish artistic endeavour. Here a stunning collection of Pictish Stones is displayed to best advantage so both front and rear of these enigmatic sculptured stones can be closely examined.

Balintore Castle is an A-listed shooting lodge in a remote highland glen, now undergoing restoration after 50 years of dereliction. This beautiful castle occupies an elevated site in moorland above Balintore village, a few miles north of the Loch of Lintrathen, near Kirriemuir, Angus. A tower house named Balintor existed on the site in the late 16th century, according to Timothy Pont's maps.

Glen Clova is a valley with superb views and an abundance of flora and wildlife. It stretches northwest from Dykehead on the B955, following the River South Esk towards Glen Doll. It is an excellent destination for hillwalking, with routes ranging from gentle strolls along quiet rural roads to challenging hikes up to the summit of the Snub.

A majestic monastic house lies at the heart of the old Pictish kingdom. It has been identified as Egglespethir, where King Nechtan had a church built in about 710 AD. The remains comprise an early tower, a 13th century church and the ruins of a 12th or 13th century Augustinian priory.In 1243 Restenneth was dedicated to St Peter by David de Bernham, Bishop of St Andrews.

A beautidul and majestic home of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, which was situated beside the village of Glamis. Though the present building dates largely from the 17th century. Glamis was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, wife of George VI. Their second daughter, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was born there. The castle is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland

The Aberlemno Sculptured Stones are a series of five Class I and II Early Medieval standing stones found in and around the village of Aberlemno, Angus, Scotland.The stones show a range of characteristic Pictish symbols. The stone in the churchyard is an upright cross slab made of red sandstone and is over 2 metres tall. This is one of few Pictish stones which depict a battle scene and has been interpreted as representing the Battle of Dunnichen in 685AD.

This stunning inland loch is set among the foothills of the Braes of Angus and close to the fertile farmlands of Strathmore. There’s a nice circular trail running round the water and the opportunity to pick up the long distance Cateran Trail nearby. As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, Loch of Lintrathen has also been designated a Special Protection Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The loch is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout which average about 2lbs 4 oz. There are a few natural brown trout which have bred in the River Lunan which runs through the loch. Loch Record for Rainbow trout 17lb 10oz and Brown 17lb 12oz.Rescobie Loch is a post glacial fresh water body located in the parish of Rescobie, 4 km to the East of Forfar, in the county of Angus, Scotland. The loch is fed by Lunan Water which enters from the West and exits to the East.

Backwater Reservoir is a reservoir in north west Angus, Scotland. The project was initiated by the Dundee Corporation Waterworks in 1964 and absorbed into the newly created East of Scotland Water Board in 1968, before final completion and the official opening by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 October 1969. It links with Lintrathen Reservoir, 2½ miles to the south, and supplies water to almost 300,000 people in Dundee, the towns of Angus as well as Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie and the Carse of Gowrie.

Loch Wharral is situated some 600 metres above the Angus glen of Clova within a south facing corrie. It is less known than the neighbouring Loch Brandy which lies just over a mile to the north-west, but shares many of the characteristics by being contained within a rocky corrie with steep west and north facing sides.

Reekie Linn is actually a pair of linked falls on the River Isla, with respective drops of 6m and 18 m. The path to the waterfall passes close to the edge of a steep-sided gorge, and there are sheer drops of 150 feet down to the water below. At the base of the waterfall is a dark cave called Black Dub, where legend has it that an outlaw once hid until the devil appeared before him in the form of a giant black dog.