As summer’s long days provide extra hours to get out and about, there’s lots happening across the county of Angus from dawn to dusk – and beyond!
The month of June begins with the Angus Glens Walking Festival 2015, when hundreds of walkers from across the UK will explore the stunning Angus countryside, led by highly-experienced, local mountain leaders. The Angus Glens Walking Festival runs from 4 – 7 June and features a full programme of walks for all levels of fitness. Places are still available on several of the walks, which range from beginner strolls to strenuous all day treks.
The annual Angus Show is always one of the high spots of summer in this corner of Scotland. Taking place on 5/6 June at Brechin Castle Centre, the Angus Show offers a fun family day out, with a range of farming, outdoor and equestrian activities, displays and competitions. “One of the many highlights of this year’s show will be The Puppet Gang, who are also appearing at the Edinburgh Festival this summer,” said Nici Smith, Angus Show Secretary.
“Other highlights include the qualifying rounds for the Blair Atholl Horse Trials, Edzell Off Road Club demonstrating their skills in the show’s main ring and tractor pulling contests on both Friday and Saturday evening.”
On Saturday, 6 June, Arbroath Armed Forces and Emergency Services Day will see a parade of serving members of the armed forces, veterans and cadets marching through the town centre to Victoria Park, where there will be a host of stalls and activities.
Throughout June, there will be lots of opportunities to enjoy live music in hotels, pubs and theatres across Angus, including traditional Irish music from The Kilkennys at the Webster Theatre in Arbroath on 14 June and Dundee ‘supergroup’ Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher appearing at Montrose’s Links Hotel on 25 June. In addition, on the evening of 20 June, female foursome Dorec-a-Belle will take to the stage at a new live music venue in Angus – Platform 1 at Brechin’s Caledonian Railway Station.
There are also various theatrical productions to look out for. Monifieth Amateur Dramatics presents last of the Summer Wine from 11-20 June and Arbroath’s Abbey Theatre Youth Group performs Wind in the Willows from 17-19 June.
Traditional family fun including a duck race and a bouncy castle will be on offer at St Vigeans Fete on 13 June, while from 14-21 June, Forfar dons its glad rags for the town’s annual Gala Week. This kicks off with a free event in the Myre Car Park on Sunday, 14 June featuring a fun fair, vintage vehicles, dog show, tug-of-war contest and music from Forfar Pipe Band
Glamis Castle provides the magnificent setting for the Strathmore Highland Games, which are also on 14 June. “We have a full calendar of events showcasing the finest athletes on the Highland Games circuits,” revealed Lorna Cochrane of Strathmore Highland Games.
“There’s the British Tug-of-War Championships, along with the Heavies flexing their muscles at the Caber Toss and other Strong Men competitions and, of course, our Pipe Band Competition, which will culminate in the Mass Pipe Bands at the end of the day.”
Glamis Castle is also the venue for an outdoor performance of the highly-popular play Mr Stink on 26 June. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams, this play promises an evening of ‘fun, humour and a heart-warming message’ - with the added bonus of being able to tuck into a picnic while the actors bring the story to life in the beautiful walled gardens at Glamis Castle.
For the full programme of Summer in Angus events, visit the ‘What’s On’ page at www.visitangus.com or like ‘Visit Angus’ on Facebook.
Caption: The British Tug-of-War Championships is one of the many hard fought for competitions held at the Strathmore Highland Games.
Credit: Photo by Barry Robb, Forfar
