Its eastern coast washed by the North Sea, Angus stretches northwards from Dundee on the Firth of Tay to the high peaks of the Braes of Angus which rise to more than 900 m (3,000 feet) in the eastern Grampian Mountains.
Between the Grampians and the Sidlaw Hills in the south lies the wide and fertile valley of Strathmore which has some of the best agricultural land in Scotland and is particularly renowned for its cattle breeding, seed potatoes and raspberries. Across this great valley flows the River South Esk on its way to the Montrose Basin, an inlet of the North Sea rich in wildlife.
Angus has a scenic character that varies from the rugged highland area in the north-west to the rolling, highly cultivated Strathmore valley and the long narrow coastal plain. One third of the area is hill country and over 45% of the land is arable or improved grassland.
In the south the Sidlaw Hills rise up to 455m (1,492 feet) at Craigowl Hill, separating Strathmore from the Carse of Gowrie and the Tay estuary. Streams flowing off the Sidlaws include the Lunan Water, Pitairlie Burn, Kerbet Water and Elliot Water.
Forfar (the administrative centre), Arbroath, Brechin, Kirriemuir, Monifieth, Montrose and Carnoustie with its championship golf course, are the main towns, and amongst the region's many historic landmarks are Glamis Castle and birthplace in Kirriemuir of J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan.
The Angus Glens - Glen Clova Glen Doll Glen Esk Glen Isla Glen Lethnot Glen Prosen - thrust north-westwards into the Highlands which is the source of the North and South Esk rivers, the West Water and the River Isla.
