Angus

Angus offers a pleasing mix of coastline and countryside on Scotland's east side. Montrose and Arbroath bring bracing sea air, working harbours and long sandy beaches, with Arbroath famous for its smokies. Carnoustie and Monifieth appeal to golfers and those wanting a quieter seaside base, both within easy reach of Dundee. Inland, Brechin and Forfar serve as solid market towns with historic cores, good for exploring at a gentler pace.

Further inland still, Kirriemuir has a literary claim to fame as J.M. Barrie's birthplace and makes a good base for the glens beyond. Edzell, with its castle and tidy village green, suits travellers after peace and scenery, while Colliston offers a small, rural stopping point between the coastal towns and the Angus glens. Together these places suit both active coastal breaks and slower countryside touring.

Angus offers a mix of golfing hotels, coastal guest houses and quiet country B&Bs, with the choice largely shaped by what brings you here. Carnoustie is the natural base for golf, and hotels like Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Park Hotel sit close to the championship links, while smaller guest houses such as Morven Guest House cater to visiting players on a tighter budget.

Montrose brings a working harbour town feel, with places like The Station Hotel and The George Hotel suited to those exploring the coast or passing through on the A90. Inland, Edzell and its surrounding villages have a gentler pace, with farmhouse stays such as Charleton Farm and smaller lodges like Alexandra Lodge offering a base for walking the glens or visiting the castle gardens.

With 50 places listed across the county, there is a reasonable spread between seaside and rural settings, so it is worth deciding whether you want to be near the coast or further into the countryside before booking.

Angus mixes coastline, castles and quiet countryside, so a day out here can look very different depending on which town you start from. Arbroath's Signal Tower tells the story of the town's fishing and lighthouse heritage, while further along the coast Montrose Basin Nature Reserve draws birdwatchers to one of Scotland's largest tidal basins, with Montrose Beach nearby for a simpler walk by the sea.

Families tend to gravitate towards the likes of Sandy Sensation, Seafront Splash and The Splash Montrose for pool and play sessions, or Forfar Ice Rink when the weather turns. History lovers should head inland to Glamis Castle, one of Scotland's best-known stately homes, or take a trip on the Caledonian Railway through Brechin's countryside. Barry Water Mill near Carnoustie makes a good stop for a slower, rural afternoon, and with towns spread across the county it's worth planning a route rather than trying to cram everything into one visit.

Angus offers a mix of coastal and glen settings for camping and glamping, from the dunes and links around Carnoustie and Montrose to the quieter farmland and hills near Kirriemuir and Forfar. Sites such as Ecclesgreig Holiday Park sit close to the Angus coast, useful for beaches and golf, while Peel Farm and Greenhillock Camping and Glamping lie within reach of the Angus glens, better suited to walking and cycling breaks.

Options range from simple touring pitches to fixed glamping pods and caravans, with parks like Woodlands Caravan Park and Drumshademuir Caravan Park geared towards longer stays with families. Smaller farm sites, including Knocknahushoch Farm and Auchlishie, tend to be quieter and more basic, appealing if you want space rather than facilities. Brechin makes a reasonable base for exploring inland Angus, with several sites clustered within easy driving distance of the town.

Angus offers a good spread of self-catering cottages, from farmhouse conversions to smaller retreats tucked among the glens and coastal farmland. Many properties, such as Greenford Farm and the Strathisla Farm Cottages near Islabank, sit on working farms, giving a real sense of the countryside that surrounds towns like Brechin and Forfar.

Choosing between them often comes down to setting: some cottages, like Birch Tree Cottage and Rowan Tree Cottage, suit those wanting a quiet base for walking or exploring the Angus glens, while collections such as Brechin Retreats offer a cluster of options within easy reach of the town itself. Families and groups will find plenty of variety in size and style, from cosy pairs like Blossom Cottage to farmhouse-scale lets such as Home Farm Cottage.

With the coast, the glens and historic towns all within a short drive, a cottage base in Angus works well whether you plan to stay local or use it as a springboard for wider exploration.