Events and experiences boost Angus tourism economy to £350m
Tourism in Angus is now worth £350 million to the county’s economy, according to new figures released this week.
The local visitor economy has continued to strengthen year-on-year, with new tourism experiences, investment, and major events driving growth.
Research conducted by Global Tourism Solutions, using the Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) model, highlights that 1.3 million visitors explored Angus in 2025, showcasing the county as a year-round destination for those seeking outdoor adventures, coastal escapes, or cultural discovery.
Headline figures also show:-
- Angus tourism value has increased by 7.3% from 2024, generating £350 million
- Tourism supported 4,119 full-time equivalent jobs locally, an increase of 2.2%
- The number of visitor days continues to rise, reaching 2.7 million, up 4.1% on the previous year
- 4,119 full-time equivalent jobs supported by tourism
- £283 million economic impact from staying visitors
- £67 million economic impact from day visitors
- On average visitors spend 3.85 days in Angus during each visit
The figures provide a strong backdrop to what continues to be an expanding programme of tourism development across Angus, with new and enhanced visitor experiences adding depth to the destination, and creating more reasons for people to stay longer and return.
Angus Council Leader, Councillor George Meechan welcomed the new stats, saying they underline the importance of tourism to the area.
He said: “From new distillery experiences and improved heritage attractions to festivals, accommodation investment, accessible tourism, and the growing profile of Angus on screen, there is a real sense of momentum.
“The challenge now is to build on this momentum and ensure that the benefits of tourism continue to reach businesses and communities across the region.”
Among the latest tourism offerings to open in Angus are the new Gin Bothy distillery at Glen Prosen and the opening of the Glencadam Distillery visitor centre, adding to Angus’s growing food, drink, and whisky offering.
Visitor attractions continue to provide renewed opportunities to experience Angus’s unique heritage offerings, with internal spaces at Arbroath Abbey reopening following high-level masonry works, as well as the newly discovered Pictish Stone, the Flemington II, now on display at Aberlemno Village Hall.
Events continue to bring new experiences to the county including the Summer’s End Angus Music Festival in Brechin, as the second year of Arbroath Fest builds on the success of the inaugural event, strengthening Angus’s calendar of cultural activity.
The accommodation and hospitality sector also continues to evolve and Angus’s landscapes, heritage, and distinctive locations are also attracting attention on screen.
Brechin Castle features in the new adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’, while Hospitalfield appears in ‘Frankenstein’, showcasing Angus as a destination for film, heritage, and culture.
The latest STEAM figures show that staying visitors generated £283.5 million of economic impact in 2025, while day visitors contributed a further £66.7 million.
Caroline Warburton, destination development director at VisitScotland, added: “Tourism is a vital part of Angus’s economy, supporting jobs and businesses while bringing wider benefits to communities across the region. Continued investment in new experiences, accommodation and events is evident in Angus, which gives visitors even more reasons to explore further, stay longer and return again.”