Forfar and Glamis

The Meffan Gallery and Museum, at 20 West High Street, illustrates the colourful history of town and county, and includes Pictish remains and a grisly account of the witch-hunts of the 17th century. Mon-Sat 1000-1700. Tel. 464123. Free.

Two miles east of town, off the B9113, are the ruins of Restenneth Priory. The 12th-century Augustinian priory was chosen by King Robert the Bruce as the last resting place of his son, Prince John. Open at all times. Free.

About four miles southeast, on the road to Letham, is Dunnichen Hill, once known as Nechtansmere, scene of a Pictish victory in 685 AD over Ecgfrith, King of the Angles, thus assuring Scotland's independence. There used to be an open air festival started in 1985, but it seems to have petered out, sadly. (Old details of Dunnichen Gathering)

Five miles northeast of Forfar, along the B9134, is the tiny village of Aberlemno, home to some of the country's best Pictish stones. In the churchyard, just off the main road, is an eighth-century cross-slab with a Celtic cross, entwined beasts on one side and an elaborate depiction of the Battle of Nechtansmere on the other. (some details of the church and photographs of the cross)  There are three other stones with Pictish and early-Christian symbols by the roadside. There are plans to move the stones to a protected site, so check with the TIC before visiting. Open access except Nov-Mar. Free.

Buses from Forfar to Brechin stop in Aberlemno.

Glamis Castle & Village

There are several places to stay in Forfar, but Kirriemuir is nicer and equally convenient for Glamis Castle. Five miles southwest of Forfar is the county's star attraction, Glamis Castle (pronounced Glamz), the fabulous family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Glamis is every inch the archetypal Scottish castle, and one of the most famous. This was the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth, but its royal connection doesn't end there. It was the childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the birthplace of her daughter and the present queen's late sister Princess Margaret. The setting matches the impeccable pedigree. As you approach down the long, tree-lined drive, the castle suddenly appears in all its glory, the jumble of turrets, towers and conical roofs rising up against the backdrop of the Grampian Mountains like one of Walt Disney's fairy-tale fantasies. Most of the building you see dates from the 15th century, though the glamorous touches were added in the 17th century.

The five-storey, L-shaped castle grew from its humble beginnings as a mere hunting lodge, used by the Kings of Scotland in the 11th century. In 1372 King Robert II gave it to his son-in-law, Sir John Lyon, whose descendants, the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, have lived here ever since. The 14th Earl was the Queen Mother's father.

Highlights of the tour include the 17th-century drawing room, with its impressive plasterwork ceilings, and the ghostly crypt, haunted by Lord Glamis and Crawford who was entombed within its walls as punishment for playing a few hands of gin rummy with the Devil on the Sabbath. The 17th-century chapel, with its biblical frescoes, is also haunted, this time by the 'grey lady', the ghost of the sixth Lady Glamis, who was burnt as a witch by James V. Duncan's Hall is reputedly where King Duncan was murdered by Macbeth, though, like much else in the play, this is very doubtful. You can also see the Royal Apartments, including the Queen Mother's bedroom, and the extensive grounds are also well worth exploring. There's a restaurant on site.

Late Mar to end Oct daily 1030-1730 (Jul-Aug from 1000), last admission 1645. Guided tours last one hour and leave every 15 mins. Tel. 840393. Official website

Getting to Glamis Castle

There's a limited bus service from Dundee, Forfar and Kirriemuir. Contact Strathtay Buses which is now part of the Stagecoach group.

Glamis Village

In the village of Glamis, just off the square, is the Angus Folk Museum. It's housed in a picturesque row of 18th-century cottages which are divided into domestic and agricultural sections. The changes in living and farming in Angus over the last 200 years are vividly illustrated with the help of a vast collection of local artefacts. Easter and 1 May-Sep daily 1100-1700; weekends only in Oct 1100-1700. Tel. 840233

Self Catering Cottages in Glamis Village

• GLAMIS - Angus Sleeps 2