History, Genealogy & Culture

Welcome to Scotland's Birthplace

Angus is indeed Scotland's Birthplace. The county is steeped in colourful and dramatic history, and played a central role in the history and formation of the Scottish nation, when the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.

Even before this, Angus was at the centre of things. As Circhenn, it was the premier province and heartland of the ancient Pictish Kingdom. The ancient Picts worked these lands and inscribed their images on the local landscape, cutting their inscriptions into the stones still standing throughout Angus today.

The history of Angus is here to be explored and breathed in. There are many museums, historic sites and buildings to be enjoyed. Each of the burghs is steeped in history, that you can see and touch by following the town heritage trails.

Whether your interest is in ancient civilisations, medieval battles or historical houses, Angus has a rich story to tell. Explore the history pages to discover how you can bring it all to life.

Genealogy - Do you know who you are?

Many visitors to Angus come to the area looking to trace their family roots and to see and touch for themselves where their ancestors lived, worked, died and were buried, and Tayroots is a great place to start. Tayroots offers information and advice on both Angus and Dundee genealogy, and provides links to useful resources.

In 2009, Angus became the first local council in Scotland to make its burial records in searchable online, working with experts Deceased Online to create a unique resource for family history research. A simple free search may tell if you are on the right track, then for a modest fee you can browse and download records, information, maps of grave locations, and sometimes even photographs of headstones.

Once you have established that you have roots in Angus, why not come and walk in the footsteps of your ancestors? There is a wide range of records and collections available through Archives, Registrars, local Libraries and Museums. To get you started you'll find a list of links to genealogy resources on these pages and you can read about the principal clans and their tartans in Angus. In the beautiful setting of Restenneth Priory, near Forfar, Angus Archives provides a one-stop shop for family and local history in Angus. It is possible to trace an entire family tree or research particular branches or individuals, inspect historic documents and maps, and ask advice on your particular interests.

A great choice of welcoming and comfortable accommodation is available in the lovely Angus countryside and in our friendly towns. Make this the year you find your Tayroots!

Heritage, Arts & Culture - Wha's like Us?

Angus has a unique culture and heritage that is well worth discovering, and which embraces visual and performing arts, literature and architecture.
Photograph of one of the exhibitions of Brechin Arts Festival 2004
Since the times of the Picts or "painted people", the people of Angus have expressed themselves in paint, music and crafts and by the structures they left behind - from the mysterious Pictish standing stones to the towering heights of Arbroath Abbey.

Angus has always been a vibrant centre for the arts and has produced many famous artists, poets, writers and performers. In the mid 1920s, Montrose was a centre for a group of young artists and literati who believed in the idea of a Scottish Renaissance in life and the arts. This group included sculptor William Lamb, Angus poet Violet Jacob, the painter Edward Baird, CM Grieve (aka Hugh McDiarmid), then a reporter with the Montrose Review, and George Fairweather, an architect.

Our people are steeped in the traditions of Scottish Folk Music, and Angus's creative heritage has led to a thriving arts sector and a burgeoning craft industry. Part of the reason for this rich culture must stem from the unique character of Angus folk and the pride they have in their land. The people of Angus were tied to the land and sea, and were inspired by the rich, beautiful and varied environment on which they lived and on which they depended.