Angus

Statistics Principal Town: Forfar Population (1991): Area (hectares): 218396 Entry Updated: 09-AUG-2009

Local Authority Contact Information Address: Angus Council Council Headquarters The Cross Forfar DD8 1BX

Geography

Situated on the east coast of Scotland to the north of the Tay estuary and Dundee, Angus has a scenic character that varies from the rugged highland area in the northwest to the rolling, highly cultivated Strathmore valley and the long narrow coastal plain. One third of the area is hill country and over 45% of the land is arable or improved grassland. To the north and west the Braes of Angus rise up into the main Grampian range. The Angus Glens - Isla, Clova, Prosen, Ogil, Lethnot and Esk - thrust north-westwards into the Highlands which is the source of the North and South Esk rivers, the West Water and the River Isla. In the south the Sidlaw Hills rise up to 455m (1,492 feet) at Craigowl Hill, separating Strathmore from the Carse of Gowrie and the Tay estuary. Streams flowing off the Sidlaws include the Lunan Water, Pitairlie Burn, Kerbet Water and Elliot Water.

History

Formerly known as Forfarshire, Angus was a Scottish county until it became one of the three districts of Tayside region between 1975 and 1996. A separate unitary authority once again, its chief towns are Arbroath, Montrose, Forfar, Carnoustie, Brechin, Monifieth and Kirriemuir. The earldom of Angus was one of the seven original Celtic earldoms, Angus passing in the 13th century through the heiress Matilda to the Anglo-Norman Umfravilles, a line that expired in 1381. In 1389, King Robert II granted the earldom to the Douglas family, the Douglas earls of Angus being known as the 'Red' Douglases to distinguish them from the 'Black' Douglases. The 11th Earl was created Marquis of Douglas in 1633 and his title passed eventually to the Dukes of Hamilton.

Industry

Essentially a rich agricultural area, the seven towns of Angus have a long tradition of both manufacturing and service industry. From Montrose southwards fine beaches have promoted the development of links golf courses and resort towns while the prosperity of Dundee has encouraged the growth of commuter settlements in the interior. Engineering, malting, distilling, food processing, fishing and oil-related industries are also important to the economy.

References and Further Reading

Dorward, David (2001) The Glens of Angus: Names, Places, People. The Pinkfoot Press, Balgavies
Gifford, John (ed.) (2012) The Buildings of Scotland: Dundee and Angus. Yale University Press, New Haven and London
Henderson, I.A.N. (1990) Angus and the Mearns. John Donald Publishers Ltd., Edinburgh
MacGregor, A.R. (1968) Fife & Angus Geology. William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh, for the University of St. Andrews
Oram, Richard (1996) Angus and the Mearns: A Historical Guide. Birlinn, Edinburgh
Peck, Sir Edward (1981) North-East Scotland. John Bartholomew & Sons Ltd., Edinburgh
Walker, Bruce and Graham Ritchie (1996) Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Fife, Perthshire and Angus. Second Edition, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and HMSO, Edinburgh

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©2013 The Editors of The Gazetteer for Scotland
Supported by: The Robertson Trust,  The Royal Scottish Geographical Society,
  School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh.