
County town and administrative centre in Scotland
Photo: Anne Burgess derivative work: Catfish Jim and the soapdish (talk), CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Forfar is the county town of Angus, 13 miles north of Dundee, with a population in 2022 of 15,700. Its main attractions are Glamis Castle, and the fine Pictish stones here and at Meigle and Aberlemno.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Small museum, the highlights are the Pictish Kirriemuir Sculptured Stones and the Dunnichen Stone. Other exhibits cover town life, including the witch-hunts of 1661-66. There's also an art gallery.
Glamis (say glamz) Castle has been the home of the Lyon family since the 14th century, though the present turreted chateau is from the 17th. It was the childhood home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who married King George VI, and was later known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Her second daughter Princess Margaret was born here and the castle remains the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Naturally they big-up this aristocratic roll-call but it was a Durham coal-mining fortune in the 18th century that paid for the present splendour. Highlights are the grand Drawing Room, the Kitchens, and Duncan's Hall where, according to Shakespeare, Macbeth murdered King Duncan. (Actually it was at Inverness, and never happened, see Birnam and Cawdor.) There are impressive extensive gardens.
Exhibition of 27 carved Pictish stones in the former schoolhouse. They're 9th century and were found in the local churchyard. They appear to be tombstones and their number and quality suggests an important monastery once stood here.
These are richly carved standing stones with Pictish symbols from early medieval times, perhaps 9th century. Four are in or near Aberlemno village churchyard: they're in their original outdoor positions but in winter are boxed in to prevent frost damage. The stone in the churchyard (#2) has a Celtic Cross and a battle scene, which might involve Picts, Danes, Northumbrians or archaeologists arguing over its interpretation. Stone #4 is in the McManus Gallery in Dundee.
This has curling, bowling and ice skating.
Traditional fare, their Sunday High Teas are good value.
Has basic rooms but it's essentially a pub. Food served daily.
Site next to the loch open Mar-Oct, with 63 caravan pitches and 9 tent spaces.
Reliable mid-price hotel in town centre.
Welcoming guesthouse south edge of town.
Eco-campsite open April-Oct ranged around a wildflower meadow.
Great reviews for these dog-friendly hotel rooms, lodges and bunkhouses.
Forfar is off A90, 13 miles north of Dundee, which has the nearest railway station.
Read in the guideYou need your own wheels to reach the places of interest, a bike would do . For instance to Glamis Castle is six miles, with no practical bus service.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dundee · Regional · DND
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Forfar and United Kingdom.
Complete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Complete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Find the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
A complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.