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Glamis Castle, Forfar

Companionship careAngus

Days out in Angus for an older parent

Ten places in Angus that make a good day out for an older parent, from Glamis Castle to Monikie Country Park. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Glamis Castle. Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ten days out across six towns

The best places to take an older parent in Angus

Seven of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and six confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Glamis Castle, Forfar

Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Forfar

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle near Forfar is the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, shown on guided tours of its furnished rooms. Outside there are the Italian Garden, a walled kitchen garden and wide parkland, with a restaurant and exhibition in the courtyard buildings.

The ground floor, the Coach House exhibition with its video tour of the castle and the restaurant are step-free, and a manual wheelchair can be borrowed, so a parent who cannot manage the staircases on the tour can still see a good deal.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, wheelchair users and carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Forfar

House of Dun, Montrose

Photo: Oliver Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Montrose

House of Dun

House of Dun is a Georgian house designed by William Adam, looking out over the Montrose Basin and run by the National Trust for Scotland. Besides the house there is a courtyard with a tearoom and shop, displays from the Angus Folk Museum collection, a walled garden and waymarked woodland trails.

There are four Blue Badge bays about 60 metres from the tearoom along relatively level paths, and the accessible toilet is in the courtyard, so a short visit to the tearoom, displays and walled garden is manageable.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free outside, paid inside

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Montrose

Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Montrose

Photo: Thomas Andy Branson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Montrose

Montrose Basin Visitor Centre

The Scottish Wildlife Trust's visitor centre looks out over Montrose Basin, a large tidal estuary where thousands of pink-footed geese, wading birds and ducks gather. Inside there are viewing windows, telescopes and displays about the reserve, with free parking outside.

The centre has step-free access inside with a lift, an accessible toilet close to the entrance, a wheelchair to borrow and places to sit at the windows, so a parent can watch the birds without walking the reserve paths.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry, children free, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Montrose

Montrose Museum, Montrose

Photo: Russ Hamer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Montrose

Montrose Museum

Montrose Museum is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in Scotland and covers the town's maritime history, Pictish stones, local art and the story of the Montrose Air Station. It stands in the town centre beside the Mid Links gardens.

There is a ramp at the front entrance, a lift to the first floor and a disabled parking space outside on Museum Street, although the natural history gallery is up a staircase.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Montrose

Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath

Photo: Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Arbroath

Arbroath Signal Tower Museum

The Signal Tower was built in 1813 as the shore station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse and now tells the story of the lighthouse and of Arbroath's fishing and seafaring life. The lighthouse keepers' cottages hold newer galleries on the fishing heritage of the town, and the harbour is a short walk away.

There is wheelchair access to the lower floors and a virtual tour for anyone who cannot climb the tower's 70 steps, and the harbour front nearby is flat for a gentle walk afterwards.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Arbroath

Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar

Photo: Scott Cormie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Forfar

Meffan Museum and Art Gallery

The Meffan in the centre of Forfar has changing art exhibitions alongside a museum of the town's history, including a recreated cobbled street of old workshops and a collection of Pictish carved stones. The building was given to the town in 1898 by the Meffan family.

It is a compact museum on the high street, so a carer can plan a short visit and pair it with lunch at one of the nearby cafés in town.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Forfar

Brechin Cathedral, Brechin

Photo: Mary Rodgers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Brechin

Brechin Cathedral

Brechin Cathedral dates from the 13th century and stands beside an Irish-style round tower built around a thousand years ago, one of only two in mainland Scotland. Inside there are medieval carved stones and fine stained glass windows.

There is level access to the main areas of the cathedral, and the round tower can be seen from the churchyard without any climbing.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Brechin

Barry Mill, Carnoustie

Photo: Scott MacDonald, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Carnoustie

Barry Mill

Barry Mill is a 19th-century water-powered meal mill near Carnoustie, looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, with its wheel, lade and machinery still in place. Around the mill there are grassy paths along the Barry Burn and a picnic area.

Wheelchair access to the mill is by a ramp to the ground floor and lower ground floor, and there is an accessible toilet, so a parent can see the machinery without tackling the stairs to the first floor.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Carnoustie

Crombie Country Park, Monikie

Photo: Andrew Shannon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Monikie

Crombie Country Park

Crombie Country Park is a Victorian reservoir surrounded by woodland between Monifieth and Forfar, with waymarked trails, ponds, bird hides and a squirrel feeding area. There is a small visitor centre and parking is free.

Accessible toilets are at the car park and near the visitor centre, and the Discovery, Peddieston and Birchwood trails are accessible, so a short woodland loop is possible.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Monikie

Monikie Country Park, Monikie

Photo: Mary Rodgers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Monikie

Monikie Country Park

Monikie Country Park has two reservoirs set among woodland and grassland north of Monifieth, with paths around the water, a bird hide and an information centre. Café Byzantium in the park serves refreshments.

The café, trails and information centre are all described as accessible, so a carer can plan a short walk by the water with a sit-down in the café.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Monikie

Regular groups and events in Angus

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Angus.

  • Music · ForfarForfar Accordion and Fiddle ClubA long running club holding regular evenings of traditional Scottish dance music with guest players and an open floor for club members. A carer can handle the transport and the late finish, and sit through the evening as company.Details
  • Music · MontroseMontrose Music FestivalAn annual town-wide festival with bands playing across Montrose venues over a weekend in late spring, much of it free to attend. A carer can pick one afternoon venue with seating and leave before the crowds build.Details
  • Photography · BrechinBrechin Photographic SocietyOne of Scotland's oldest camera clubs, running club nights, competitions and outings for members of all levels. A carer can help with lifts to meetings and with carrying a tripod and bag on club outings.Details
  • ReadingANGUSalive Libraries reading groupA reading group run through the county library service, with shared titles and discussion for members across Angus. A carer can collect the books, read aloud between meetings and provide transport or help joining online.Details
  • VolunteeringVoluntary Action AngusThe county's volunteer centre and third sector interface, which matches people with volunteering roles across Angus and supports local groups. A carer can help look through current roles, make the first contact and go along for the first few sessions.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Angus

At a glance

The ten places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Glamis CastleForfarhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyAskYes
House of DunMontrosehalf a dayFree outside, paid insidePartlyYesYes
Montrose Basin Visitor CentreMontrosean hour or twoPaid entryYesYesAsk
Montrose MuseumMontrosean hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Arbroath Signal Tower MuseumArbroathan hour or twoFreeAskYesAsk
Meffan Museum and Art GalleryForfaran hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Brechin CathedralBrechinan hour or twoFreePartlyAskAsk
Barry MillCarnoustiean hour or twoPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Crombie Country ParkMonikiean hour or twoFreeAskYesAsk
Monikie Country ParkMonikiean hour or twoFreeAskAskYes

Where the places are in Angus

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

KirriemuirMonifiethLethamCarnoustie12345678910
  1. 1Glamis Castle, Forfar
  2. 2House of Dun, Montrose
  3. 3Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Montrose
  4. 4Montrose Museum, Montrose
  5. 5Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath
  6. 6Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
  7. 7Brechin Cathedral, Brechin
  8. 8Barry Mill, Carnoustie
  9. 9Crombie Country Park, Monikie
  10. 10Monikie Country Park, Monikie

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Angus

Carers in Angus charge £19 to £23 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Angus has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Angus

Glamis Castle in Forfar, House of Dun in Montrose, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre in Montrose, Montrose Museum in Montrose, Arbroath Signal Tower Museum in Arbroath, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery in Forfar, Brechin Cathedral in Brechin, Barry Mill in Carnoustie, Crombie Country Park in Monikie and Monikie Country Park in Monikie. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Montrose Basin Visitor Centre describes a step-free route. House of Dun, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Montrose Museum, Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Barry Mill and Crombie Country Park have an accessible toilet. Glamis Castle and Montrose Basin Visitor Centre lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

House of Dun (outside free, inside paid), Montrose Museum, Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Brechin Cathedral, Crombie Country Park and Monikie Country Park. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 12 of the carers with a rate near Angus drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Angus shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about an hour of Angus

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Angus

Days out in the areas around Angus

Companionship care by town in Angus

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Angus

See carers near Angus who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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