Revised guide directs Kirriemuir visitors to its latest attractions

Tourism: Town figures hope the guide will lead to increased footfall

Kirriemuir heritage and tourism leaders hope a new guide will lead to a bumper summer season for the wee red town.

Events such as Bonfest have shone the global spotlight on the burgh to a greater extent and the latest revision of the town’s tourist guide features the addition of the Bellies Brae statue honouring AC/DC frontman Bon Scott among its updates.

Local historian David Orr said supplies of the last edition of the leaflet had dried up as the seven-figure Kirrie Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme was heading towards its conclusion and it was felt a new brochure should be published to inform visitors about what the town has to offer.

“The first edition came out in the early ’90s and it was last updated in 2009, so since then there have been quite a few changes to what we have in Kirrie,” said Mr Orr.

Kirrie Community Council was instrumental in securing the funds for the latest edition of the heritage leaflet, which also includes the addition of the Tayside Police Museum on Reform Street.

“The old leaflet also said it was an Angus heritage brochure so we have tweaked it to emphasise that it is for the burgh of Kirrie,” said Mr Orr.

“We were conscious that the last one had run out and when visitors come to a place like Kirriemuir many of them still like to pick up a traditional tourist brochure to see what the destination has to offer and the points of interest in it.

“I also do guided walks around the town and tend to hand them out to people so they can maybe then go and explore some of the other points of interest at their leisure on their own tour.

“There are 24 things highlighted on it including, obviously, locations relating to author JM Barrie, and then right up to date with the Bon Scott statue at Bellies Brae.

“The traditional brochure also sits well alongside the tourism app which was developed as part of the CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) project with the school so we’re hoping that the two formats mean there will be something for everyone coming to Kirrie.”

gbrown@thecourier.co.uk

Pictures: Paul Reid. Gateway to the Glens Museum assistant Jen Falconer with the guide.

The latest revision of the town’s tourist guide features the addition of the Bellies Brae statue honouring AC/DC frontman Bon Scott among its updates.