Out of the Rough

photo of the beautiful scenery in Glen Doll Between your rounds of golf, make sure you take the time to enjoy the wildlife and glorious scenery of Carnoustie Country. The rolling wooded countryside, magnificent glens and mountains, and a coastal panorama of surging seas, sweeping beaches and steep cliffs, provide the perfect habitat for a bountiful array of wild flowers, butterflies, birds and animals.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre at the Montrose Basin and the RSPB reserve at Loch of Kinnordy offer visitors a chance to get up close and personal with Carnoustie Country's wildlife. Otters haunt the quiet loch margins and rivers, and deer inhabit the hills and forests.

photo of a golden eagle in an Angus glen Huge gatherings of swans, waders and ducks congregate at Montrose, joined by tens of thousands of pink-footed geese in October and November. Facilities include family-friendly facilities to spot ospreys, gulls, ducks, geese and grebes, from hides or viewing platforms.

Inland during the Autumn, don't miss the salmon leaping at the Rocks of Solitude near Edzell, and a wide range of forest wildlife around the beautiful Reekie Linn waterfall near Kirriemuir.

photo of walkers in an Angus glen Caenlochan National Nature Reserve extends west across the head of Glen Doll, over open plateau and cliff, and has some of Britain's finest communities of mountain plants and upland birds.

Carnoustie Country is ideal walking country and walkers have the best opportunity of any visitor to see the wildlife and fantastic scenery. There are a huge variety of walks available, from gentle paths to strenuous hill walks - so the Angus countryside is ideal for a leisurely ramble or a serious day of hiking. As the Angus Glens extend from the rich lowlands towards the Cairngorm Mountains, they also offer a superb walking (or mountain biking) route into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

If you're looking for something a little less ordinary during your visit, then you could go exploring the beautiful Glen Esk in vintage style. 'The Great Eskape' offers guests a taste of luxury travel from days gone by, courtesy of a vintage 1930s bus and its accompanying 5-star treatment. This very special tour is launching in 2011, and will be running from May to October. For further details, visit www.thegreateskape.com.

The rich and clear coastal waters and rivers of the county make for good sport. Carnoustie Country offers challenging angling on rivers and lochs, and on the sea and on the shore. Two of its major assets are the rivers North and South Esk. Both these rivers run from their sources in the hills through the county to the sea, and provide opportunities for anglers of most abilities.

photo of an angler fishing in one of the Esk rivers in Angus Carnoustie Country really is a fisherman's paradise. Deep-sea fishing, shore fishing, game fishing and coarse fishing are also available, frequently in spectacular surroundings. Visit www.fishesks.co.uk for more information on angling in Carnoustie Country.

Visit Outdoor Angus for more information on outdoor activities in Carnoustie Country.