AUTUMN IN ANGUS

There are plenty of things to see and do in Angus this autumn. Here’s a round-up of some of the best days out, comedy and music.

Just the ticket

This September, relax in style with the Caledonian Railway: Take the Sloe Train (Sep 1) is a chance to sample craft gin from Gin Bothy while travelling through the Angus countryside. For a more family-friendly railway experience, the railway’s Steam Sundays (Sep 2 & 9), and Diesel Sundays (Sep 1 & 8), let you travel in heritage trains at the turn of the season.

Walking in the sand

The historic house and gardens of Hospitalfield in Arbroath offer a series of walks to promote an active lifestyle and to learn about the local landscape. The regular weekly Meanders take place on Thursdays (until Nov 10) but there’s also a series of longer walks, Meander Furthers (Aug 25, Sep 29, Oct 27, Nov 24) which take you down to the beach and beyond. These come with a specially created packed lunch from Hospitalfield’s head chef, Simon Brown.

World of song

There are a lot of great tribute acts coming to Angus this autumn. At Webster Theatre, the Everly Brothers and Friends Tribute Show lets you relive the music of one of the greatest duos of the ‘50s and ‘60s (Sep 29), break out your glitter for Thank You for the Music, performing hits by ABBA and the Bee Gees (Oct 12), and The Simon & Garfunkel Story presents classic songs such as Mrs Robinson and Homeward Bound (Oct 26). There’s also plenty of Scottish music: Skerryvore bring their unique sound to the Reid Hall in Forfar on Dec 15, while the Kirriemuir Festival of Music and Song takes place from Sep 7-9. And don’t miss the Glamis Prom at Glamis Castle, with popular classics from Kerry Ellis, Norman Bowman, Tom Urie and others (Aug 25).

Comedy Gold

If you’re looking for a laugh in the autumn months, there are plenty of comedy shows coming up at the Webster Theatre. The very popular Joe Lycett brings his four-star show I’m About To Lose Control and I Think Joe Lycett on Sep 13, Edinburgh-born stand-up Iain Stirling does his show U OK Hun? X on Sep 21, Rob Kemp appears on Oct 5 with The Elvis Dead, his version of cult horror movie Evil Dead 2 as presented through Elvis songs, London comedian Tom Allen is on Oct 8, with his show Absolutely, and award-winning Irish funnyman David O’Doherty presents You Have to Laugh on Oct 14.