View source for Angus, Scotland

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Angus
 | native_name              = {{native name|gd|Aonghas}}
 | settlement_type          = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy]] and [[Subdivisions of Scotland#council areas|council area]]
 | image_skyline            = 
 | imagesize                = 
 | image_alt                = 
 | image_caption            = 
 | image_flag               = 
 | flag_alt                 = 
 | image_shield             = Coat of arms of the Angus Area Council.svg
 | shield_alt               = 
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 | etymology                = 
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = 
 | image_map                = Angus UK location map.svg
 | map_alt                  = 
 | map_caption              = Angus shown within [[Scotland]]
 | coordinates              = {{coord|56|40|N|2|55|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = [[Sovereign state]]
 | subdivision_name         = [[United Kingdom]]
 | subdivision_type1        = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Scotland]]
 | subdivision_type2        = 
 | subdivision_name2        = 
 | subdivision_type3        = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy area]]
 | subdivision_name3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name4        = 
 | established_title        = Unitary authority
 | established_date         = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
 | established_title1       = 
 | established_date1        = 
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 | established_date2        = 
 | named_for                = 
 | seat_type                = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
 | seat                     = [[Forfar Town and County Hall]]
 | parts_type               = 
 | parts                    = 
<!-- Government -->
 | government_footnotes     = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.angus.gov.uk/council_committees_and_elections |title=Council, committees and elections |website=Angus Council |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref>
 | government_type          = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
 | governing_body           = [[Angus Council]]
 | leader_title             = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
 | leader_name              = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000041}}
 | leader_title1            = 
 | leader_name1             = 
 | leader_title2            = 
 | leader_name2             = 
 | leader_title3            = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
 | leader_name3             = {{Collapsible list |title=2 MPs
 |[[Dave Doogan]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Stephen Gethins]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
 | leader_title4            = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
 | leader_name4             = {{Collapsible list |title=2 MSPs
 |[[Mairi Gougeon]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Graeme Dey]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000041}}
 | area_land_km2            = 
 | area_water_km2           = 
 | area_rank                = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000041}}]]
<!-- Population -->
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="popstats" />
 | population_as_of         = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
 | population_total         = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000041}}
 | population_rank          = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000041}}]]
 | population_density_km2   = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000041}}
 | population_demonym       = 
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 | demographics_type2       = 
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 | demographics2_title1     = 
 | demographics2_info1      = 
 | timezone1                = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
 | utc_offset1              = +0
 | timezone1_DST            = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
 | utc_offset1_DST          = +1
<!-- Codes -->
 | postal_code_type         = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
 | postal_code              = 
 | area_code_type           = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
 | area_code                = 
 | iso_code                 = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-ANS]]
 | blank1_name              = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
 | blank1_info              = S12000041
 | website                  = {{URL|angus.gov.uk}}
}}

'''Angus''' ({{langx|sco|Angus}}; {{langx|gd|Aonghas}}) is one of the 32 [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] [[council areas of Scotland]], and a [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]]. The council area borders [[Aberdeenshire]], [[Dundee City (council area)|Dundee City]] and [[Perth and Kinross]]. Main industries include [[agriculture]] and [[fishing]]. Global pharmaceuticals company [[GlaxoSmithKline|GSK]] has a significant presence in [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]] in the east of the county.

Angus was historically a [[Provinces of Scotland|province]], and later a [[sheriffdom]] and [[Shires of Scotland|county]] (called '''Forfarshire''' or the '''County of Forfar''' until 1928), bordering [[Kincardineshire]] to the north-east, [[Aberdeenshire (historic)|Aberdeenshire]] to the north and [[Perthshire]] to the west; southwards it faced [[Fife]] across the [[Firth of Tay]]. The county included Dundee until 1894, when it was made a [[county of city|county of a city]]. The pre-1894 boundaries of Angus continue to be used as a [[registration county]]. Between 1975 and 1996 Angus was a lower-tier district within the [[Tayside]] region. The district took on its modern form and powers in 1996, since when the local authority has been [[Angus Council]].

==History==
===Etymology===
The name "Angus" indicates the territory of the eighth-century [[Picts|Pictish]] king, [[Óengus I]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Place-names of Great Britain and Ireland |last=Field |first=John |date=1980 |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0389201545 |location=Newton Abbot, Devon|oclc=6964610|page=24}}</ref>

===Prehistory===
The area that now comprises Angus has been occupied since at least the [[Neolithic period]]. Material taken from [[posthole]]s from an enclosure at Douglasmuir, near [[Friockheim]], about five miles north of Arbroath has been [[radiocarbon date]]d to around 3500&nbsp;BC. The function of the enclosure is unknown, but may have been for agriculture or for ceremonial purposes.<ref name="Douglasmuir">{{cite journal|last=Kendrick |first=Jill |others=contributions by Barclay, Gordon J.; Cowie, Trevor G.; Saville, Alan; illustrations by Townshend, Angela; Braby, Alan |date=1996 |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_125/125_029_067.pdf |title=Excavation of a Neolithic enclosure and an Iron Age settlement at Douglasmuir, Angus |journal=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |volume=125 |pages=29–67 |doi=10.9750/PSAS.125.29.67 |s2cid=53586923 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611100003/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_125/125_029_067.pdf}}</ref>

[[Bronze Age]] archaeology is to be found in abundance in the area. Examples include the short-cist burials found near West Newbigging, about a mile to the North of the town. These burials included pottery urns, a pair of silver discs and a gold armlet.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jervise |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Jervise |date=1863 |title=Notice of Stone Cists and an Urn, found near Arbroath, Forfarshire |journal=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |volume=5 |pages=100–102 |doi=10.9750/PSAS.005.100.102 |s2cid=253299093 |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_005/5_100_102.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=11 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611232404/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_005/5_100_102.pdf}}</ref> [[Iron Age]] archaeology is also well represented, for example in the [[souterrain]] nearby Warddykes cemetery<ref>{{cite journal |last=Watkins |first=Trevor |others=contributions by Barclay, G. |date=1978 |title=Excavation of a settlement and souterrain at Newmill, near Bankfoot, Perthshire |journal=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |volume=110 |pages=165–208 |doi=10.9750/PSAS.110.165.208 |s2cid=210268478 |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_110/110_165_208.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=11 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611215131/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_110/110_165_208.pdf}}</ref> and at West Grange of Conan,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jervise |first=Andrew |date=1863 |title=An account of the excavation of the round or "bee-hive" shaped house, and other underground chambers, at West Grange of Conan, Forfarshire |journal=Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |volume=4 |pages=429–499 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6o0vAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA492 |url-status=live |archive-date=11 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611154458/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_004/4_492_499.pdf}}</ref> as well as the better-known examples at Carlungie and Ardestie.

===Medieval and later history===
The county is traditionally associated with the [[Picts|Pictish]] territory of [[Circin]], which is thought to have encompassed Angus and the [[Kincardineshire|Mearns]]. Bordering it were the kingdoms of [[Cé (Pictish territory)|Cé]] (Mar and Buchan) to the North, Fotla (Atholl) to the West, and Fib (Fife) to the South. The most visible remnants of the Pictish age are the numerous [[Pictish stones|sculptured stones]] that can be found throughout Angus. Of particular note are the collections found at [[Aberlemno Sculptured Stones|Aberlemno]], [[St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum|St Vigeans]], [[Kirriemuir Sculptured Stones|Kirriemuir]] and [[Monifieth Sculptured Stones|Monifieth]].

Angus is first recorded as one of the [[provinces of Scotland]] in 937, when [[Dubacan of Angus|Dubacan]], the [[Mormaer of Angus]], is recorded in the ''[[Chronicle of the Kings of Alba]]'' as having died at the [[Battle of Brunanburh]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Woolf |first=Alex |year=2007 |title=From Pictland to Alba 789–1070 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=9780748612345 |page=175}}</ref>

The signing of the [[Declaration of Arbroath]] at [[Arbroath Abbey]] in 1320<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220180351/http://www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/buildings/arbabbey.htm|url-status=dead|title=Angus Council: Arbroath Abbey|archive-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> marked Scotland's establishment as an independent nation. Partly on this basis, Angus is marketed as the birthplace of Scotland.<ref>[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]], [https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12396196.first-kingdom-is-angus-really-the-birthplace-of-scotland-councillors-say-claim-is-historically-valid/ First kingdom: is Angus really the birthplace of Scotland? Councillors say claim is historically valid], published 11 March 2005, accessed 21 June 2023</ref> It is an area of rich history from Pictish times onwards. Notable historic sites in addition to Arbroath Abbey include [[Glamis Castle]], Arbroath Signal Tower museum and the [[Bell Rock Lighthouse]], described as one of the [[Seven Wonders of the Industrial World]].<ref>Wikipedia Foundation, [[Bell Rock Lighthouse]], accessed 21 June 2023</ref>

During the 16th and 17th century, several [[Forfar witch trials|witch trials took place in Forfar]], the last of which took place in 1662 and in which 52 people were accused. At the time, Forfar was a town of around 1,000 inhabitants, with an additional 2,000 people residing in the county.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Claire |last2=Venditozzi |first2=Zoe |title=How to Kill a Witch |date=2025 |publisher=Hatchett |isbn=9781800961883}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Strachan |first1=Graeme |title=Forfar Witch Trials: Suffering of executed women to be recognised in 'historic' service |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3815965/forfar-witches-memorial-service-1661-1662/ |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson Co Ltd |date=26 October 2022}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
Angus was one of the ancient provinces of Scotland, under the authority of the [[Mormaer]] or [[Earl of Angus]]. From at least the thirteenth century the area formed the basis for a shire (the area administered by a [[Sheriff principal|sheriff]]) based in Forfar: the [[Sheriff of Forfar]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Warden |first1=Alexander |title=Angus or Forfarshire, the land and people, Volume 2 |date=1881 |publisher=Charles Alexander & Co. |location=Dundee |pages=225–226 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7_4HAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA225 |access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>

Over time, Scotland's shires became more significant than the old provinces, with more administrative functions being given to the sheriffs. The older territory called Angus was therefore gradually eclipsed in legal importance by the shire of Forfar (or Forfarshire) which covered the same area. In 1667 [[Commissioners of Supply]] were established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890. Following the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] in 1707, the English term 'county' came to be used interchangeably with the older term 'shire'.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Sheriff Courthouse Forfar. - geograph.org.uk - 113484.jpg|thumb|left|[[Forfar Sheriff Court]], built 1871 as the county's main courthouse, also served as the first meeting place of the county council in 1890]]
Elected county councils were established in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The county's five largest [[burgh]]s, being [[Arbroath]], [[Brechin]], [[Dundee]], [[Forfar]], and [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]], were deemed capable of managing their own affairs and so were excluded from the administrative area of the county council.<ref>{{cite book |title=Guide to local government in parishes, counties and burghs |date=1892 |publisher=Royal College of Physicians |location=Edinburgh |pages=xxiii–xxx |url=https://archive.org/details/b21905678/page/n29/mode/2up |access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The County Council Magazine |date=1890 |publisher=F. Warne and Company |location=London |page=284 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nfAZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA284 |access-date=31 December 2021 |chapter=Preparing for the elections in Scotland}}</ref> The county council held its first official meeting on 22 May 1890 at the [[Forfar Sheriff Court|County Buildings]] (now known as Forfar Sheriff Court), the county's main courthouse, which also served as the meeting place for the commissioners of supply. [[Robert Haldane-Duncan, 3rd Earl of Camperdown]], a [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] peer, was appointed the first chairman of the county council.<ref>{{cite news |title=Forfarshire County Council |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=Arbroath Herald |date=29 May 1890 |page=6}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num= LB31610|desc=County Offices, Market Street, Forfar|access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref>

The 1889 Act also led to a review of boundaries, with [[exclave]]s being transferred to a county they actually bordered, and parishes which straddled more than one county being adjusted such that each parish was entirely in a single county. There were several such changes affecting the boundaries of Forfarshire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shennan |first1=Hay |title=Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 |date=1892 |publisher=W. Green |location=Edinburgh |page=188|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n225/mode/2up |access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>

Dundee was subsequently made a [[county of city|county of itself]] in 1894, also removing the city from Forfarshire for judicial and [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy]] purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dundee Corporation Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c.lxxiv)|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/57-58/74/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> Arbroath, Brechin, Forfar and Montrose were brought within the administrative area of the county council in 1930, although Arbroath was classed as a [[large burgh]], allowing its council to continue to deliver most local government functions itself.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929|year=1929|chapter=25|accessdate=22 April 2023}}</ref>

In May 1928 the county council resolved to use the name 'Angus' for the area rather than the 'County of Forfar'.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angus displaces Forfarshire: Council decision on county name |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=Courier and Advertiser |date=3 May 1928 |location=Dundee |page=5}}</ref> The council petitioned the government to officially change the name too. The government responded by directing all departments to use Angus, but noted that the legal name would remain Forfar until such time as it could be changed by statute.<ref>{{cite news |title='Angus' or 'Forfar' - Scottish Office and county name |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=The Scotsman |date=12 July 1928 |location=Edinburgh |page=15}}</ref> The statutory change of name from Forfar to Angus eventually took place in 1947 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947, Section 127 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/10-11/43/part/VI/crossheading/change-of-name/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=4 August 2024}}</ref>

Angus County Council was abolished in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which replaced Scotland's counties, burghs and landward districts with a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier [[districts of Scotland|districts]]. A new Angus district was created covering most of the pre-1975 county, with the exceptions being that [[Monifieth]] and a number of villages immediately north of Dundee were transferred to an enlarged City of Dundee district, and [[Kettins]] was transferred to [[Perth and Kinross]]. Angus District Council was a lower-tier district level authority subordinate to the [[Tayside Regional Council]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref> A [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]] covering the same area as the new district was created at the same time.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975|year=1975|number=428|access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>

Further local government reforms in 1996 under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]] saw the regions and districts created in 1975 abolished and replaced with [[council area]]s providing all local government services. Angus district became one of the new council areas, taking on the functions of the abolished Tayside Regional Council. The council area regained Monifieth and the villages north of Dundee as part of the same reforms.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref> The Angus lieutenancy area was adjusted to match the new council area in 1996. The [[Lord Lieutenant of Angus]] is appointed by the monarch.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996|year=1996|number=731|access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref> The boundaries of the historic county of Angus (as it was prior to the removal of Dundee in 1894) are still used for some limited official purposes connected with land registration, being a [[registration county]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |title=Land Mass Coverage Report |publisher=Registers of Scotland |access-date=2015-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232505/https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14921/LandMassCoverageReport2015-proofed.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Craigowl hill.jpg|thumb|right|[[Craigowl Hill]], highest of the Sidlaws, in southern Angus]]
Angus can be split into three geographic areas. To the north and west, the [[topography]] is mountainous. This is the area of the [[Grampian Mountains]], [[Mounth]] hills and [[Five Glens of Angus]], which is sparsely populated and where the main industry is [[hill farming]]. [[Glas Maol]] – the highest point in Angus at {{convert|1,068|m|ft|abbr=off}} – can be found here, on the [[tripoint]] boundary with Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. To the south and east the topography consists of rolling hills (such as the [[Sidlaws]]) bordering the sea; this area is well populated, with the larger towns. In between lies [[Strathmore, Angus|Strathmore]] (''the Great Valley''), which is a fertile agricultural area noted for the growing of potatoes, soft fruit and the raising of [[Aberdeen Angus]] cattle.

Montrose in the north east of the county is notable for its [[Montrose Basin|tidal basin and wildlife.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saltmarshes and estuaries {{!}} The Wildlife Trusts |url=https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/where_see_estuaries_saltmarshes |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=wildlifetrusts.org}}</ref> Angus's coast is fairly regular, the most prominent features being the headlands of [[Scurdie Ness]] and [[Buddon Ness]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Gayle |title=Scurdie Ness lighthouse: Saviour of seafarers |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/2087755/saviour-of-seafarers/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=The Courier |date=2 April 2021}}</ref> The main bodies of water in the county are [[Loch Lee]], [[Loch Brandy]], [[Carlochy]], [[Loch Wharral]], [[Den of Ogil Reservoir]], [[Loch of Forfar]], [[Loch Fithie]], [[Rescobie Loch]], [[Balgavies Loch]], [[Crombie Reservoir]], [[Monikie Reservoirs]], [[Long Loch (Angus)|Long Loch]], [[Lundie Loch]], [[Loch of Kinnordy]], [[Loch of Lintrathen]], [[Backwater Reservoir]], [[Auchintaple Loch]], [[Loch Shandra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angus Post Codes & Zip Codes List |url=https://ukpostcode.org/location/GB-SCT/Angus?page=129 |access-date=23 December 2023 |website=UK Post Code}}</ref>

==Demography==

===Population structure===
{{Historical populations
|title=Historical Angus population
|type=Ireland
|1801|65,068
|1811|69,376
|1821|74,436
|1831|84,630
|1841|106,890
|1851|119,357
|1911|118,748
|1921|101,767
|1931|93,803
|1941|95,290
|1951|96,777
|1961|93,666
|1971|90,554
|1981|98,685
|1991|107,866
|2001|108,400
|2011|116,000
|source=<br/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10056755/cube/TOT_POP|title=Angus District through time &#124; Population Statistics &#124; Total Population|website=visionofbritain.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/census/table_page.jsp?tab_id=S1911COU_M1&u_id=10145958&show=DB&min_c=6&max_c=10|title=Vision of Britain; 1911 Census: County Report|website=visionofbritain.org.uk}}</ref>}}
In the 2001 census, the population of Angus was recorded as 108,400. 20.14% were under the age of 16, 63.15% were between 16 and 65 and 18.05% were aged 65 or above.

Of the 16 to 74 age group, 32.84% had no formal qualifications, 27.08% were educated to 'O' Grade/Standard Grade level, 14.38% to Higher level, 7.64% to HND or equivalent level and 18.06% to degree level.

===Language in Angus===
The most recent available census results (2001) show that [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] is spoken by 0.45% of the Angus population. This, similar to other lowland areas, is lower than the national average of 1.16%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotlands Census Results Online (SCROL) |work=Comparative Population Profile: Angus Council Area Scotland |url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Angus&mainLevel=CouncilArea |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> These figures are self-reported and are not broken down into levels of fluency.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Category !! Number !! Percentage
|-
| All people || 108,400 || 100
|-
| Understands spoken Gaelic but cannot speak, read or write it || 351 || 0.32
|-
| Speaks reads and writes Gaelic || 238 || 0.22
|-
| Speaks but neither reads nor writes Gaelic || 188 || 0.17
|-
| Speaks and reads but cannot write Gaelic || 59 ||0.05
|-
| Reads but neither speaks not writes Gaelic || 61 || 0.06
|-
| Writes but neither speaks nor reads Gaelic || 13 || 0.01
|-
| Reads and writes but does not speak Gaelic || 22 || 0.02
|-
| Other combination of skills in Gaelic || 7 || 0.01
|-
| No knowledge of Gaelic || 107,461 || 99.13
|}

Meanwhile, the 2011 census found that 38.4% of the population in Angus can speak [[Scots language|Scots]], above the Scottish average of 30.1%. This puts Angus as the council area with the sixth highest proficiency in Scots, behind only [[Shetland]], [[Orkney]], [[Moray]], [[Aberdeenshire]], and [[East Ayrshire]].

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 111,587 residents aged three and over, 43,917 (39.4%) considered themselves able to speak or read the Scots language.<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077]</ref> This puts Angus as the council area with the fifth highest proficiency in Scots, ahead of Orkney.

Historically, the dominant language in Angus was [[Pictish language|Pictish]] until the sixth to seventh centuries AD when the area became progressively gaelicised, with Pictish extinct by the mid-ninth century.<ref>Forsyth, 1997; Forsyth, 2006{{full citation needed|date=July 2016}}</ref> Gaelic/[[Middle Irish]] began to retreat from lowland areas in the late-eleventh century and was absent from the Eastern lowlands by the fourteenth century. It was replaced there by [[Middle Scots]], the contemporary local [[South Northern]] dialect of [[Modern Scots]], while Gaelic persisted as a majority language in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and [[Hebrides]] until the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smout |first=T.&nbsp;C. |author-link=Christopher Smout |title=A history of the Scottish people: 1650–1830 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4SRmgEACAAJ&pg=PP1 |year=2001 |publisher=Fontana Press |isbn=978-0-00-686027-3}}{{page needed|date=July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Withers |first=Charles W. J. |author-link=Charles W. J. Withers |title=Gaelic in Scotland, 1698-1981: The Geographical History of a Language |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v21iAAAAMAAJ&pg=PP1 |year=1984 |publisher=John Donald Publishers |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-0-85976-097-3}}{{page needed|date=July 2016}}</ref>

Angus Council are planning to raise the status of Gaelic in the county by adopting a series of measures, including bilingual road signage, communications, vehicle livery and staffing.<ref>{{cite report |publisher=Angus Council |title=Gaelic Language Plan 2014–2019 |url=http://www.angus.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/968/angus_gaelic_plan_2014_-_english_version.pdf |date=17 September 2014 |access-date=6 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817060508/http://www.angus.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/968/angus_gaelic_plan_2014_-_english_version.pdf |archive-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 111,590 residents aged three and over, 933 (0.8%) considered themselves able to speak or read [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]],<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786]</ref> this represents an increase from the 588 (0.5%) from the 2011 census.

{{Clear}}

==Government==
{{main|Angus Council}}

==Community council areas==
{{As of|2018}} Angus is divided into 25 [[Community council#Scotland|community council area]]s and all apart from Friockheim district have an active council.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.angus.gov.uk/have_your_say/community_councils/find_your_community_council |title=Find your community council |publisher=Angus Council |access-date=7 January 2018}}</ref> The areas are: [[Aberlemno]]; [[Auchterhouse]]; [[Carnoustie]]; [[City of Brechin & District]]; [[Ferryden & Craig]]; [[Friockheim & District]]; [[Glamis]]; [[Hillside, Dun, & Logie Pert]]; [[Inverarity]]; [[Inveresk (community council area)|Inveresk]]; [[Kirriemuir]]; [[Kirriemuir Landward East]]; [[Kirriemuir Landward West]]; [[Letham & District]]; [[Lunanhead & District]]; [[Monifieth]]; [[Monikie & Newbigging]]; [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]]; [[Muirhead, Angus|Muirhead]], [[Birkhill and Liff]]; [[Murroes & Wellbank]]; [[Newtyle & Eassie]]; [[Arbroath|Royal Burgh of Arbroath]]; [[Royal Burgh of Forfar]]; [[Strathmartine]]; and [[Tealing]].

==Parliamentary representation==

===UK Parliament===
Angus is represented by two MPs for the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]].

*[[Angus and Perthshire Glens (UK Parliament constituency)|Angus and Perthshire Glens]] – covers the following wards: [[Kirriemuir and Dean (ward)|Kirriemuir and Dean]], [[Brechin and Edzell (ward)|Brechin and Edzell]], [[Forfar and District (ward)|Forfar and District]], and [[Montrose and District (ward)|Montrose and District]], and parts of [[Monifieth and Sidlaw (ward)|Monifieth and Sidlaw]]; currently represented by [[Dave Doogan]] of the [[Scottish National Party]], who was also the MP for the old [[Angus (UK Parliament constituency)|Angus constituency]].
*[[Arbroath and Broughty Ferry (UK Parliament constituency)|Arbroath and Broughty Ferry]] –  cover parts of Monifieth and Sidlaw and [[Carnoustie and District (ward)|Carnoustie and District]] from the old [[Dundee East (UK Parliament constituency)|Dundee East constituency]], and [[Arbroath East and Lunan (ward)|Arbroath East and Lunan]], [[Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim (ward)|Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim]], and Monifieth and Sidlaw, and a part of [[Carnoustie and District (ward)|Carnoustie and District]] from the now-abolished Angus constituency; currently represented by [[Stephen Gethins]] of the [[Scottish National Party]].

===Scottish Parliament===

Angus is represented by two constituency MSPs for the [[Scottish Parliament]].

*[[Angus North and Mearns (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Angus North and Mearns]] – covers the north of Angus and a southern portion of Aberdeenshire, is represented by [[Mairi Gougeon]] of the [[Scottish National Party]].
*[[Angus South (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Angus South]] – covers the south of Angus, is represented by [[Graeme Dey]] of the [[Scottish National Party]].

In addition to the two constituency MSPs, Angus is also represented by seven MSPs for the North East Scotland electoral region.

==Transport==
The [[Edinburgh–Aberdeen line|Edinburgh-Aberdeen railway line]] runs along the coast, through Dundee and the towns of Monifieth, Carnoustie, Arbroath and Montrose.

There is a small [[Dundee Airport|airport]] at Dundee, which at present operates flights to London and Belfast.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/1045951/dundee-airport-to-introduce-new-routes-to-london-city-and-belfast/|title=Dundee Airport to introduce new routes to London City and Belfast|first=Stefan|last=Morkis|date=20 December 2019 }}</ref>

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Scotland Angus
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Angus.}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.561|-02.586}}|position=right|label='''[[Arbroath]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.64423|-2.88842}}|position=right|label='''[[Forfar]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.708|-2.467}}|position=top|label='''[[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.501|-2.710}}|position=right|label='''[[Carnoustie]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.481|-2.820}}|position=right|label='''[[Monifieth]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.72994|-2.65533}}|position=right|label='''[[Brechin]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.66921|-3.00510}}|position=right|label='''[[Kirriemuir]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.492695|-3.055644}}|position=top|label='''[[Birkhill]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.628654|-2.77093}}|position=right|label='''[[Letham, Angus|Letham]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.69|-2.47}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Ferryden]]'''|label_size=}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.91|-2.65}}|position=right|label=''[[Aberdeenshire#Settlements|Aberdeenshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.478|-2.85}}|position=left|label=''[[Dundee City (council area)#Settlements|Dundee City]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.412|-2.855}}|position=left|label=''[[Fife#Settlements|Fife]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Angus|coordinates = {{coord|56.65|-3.47}}|position=right|label=''[[Perth and Kinross#Settlements|Perth and Kinross]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
}}

[[File:Viewofmontrose.jpg|thumb|right|Montrose]]
[[Arbroath]] is the largest town in the modern county, followed by [[Forfar]], the county town and administrative centre, and [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]].

Largest settlements by population:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Settlement
!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Arbroath]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Arbroath}}
|-
|[[Forfar]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Forfar}}
|-
|[[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Montrose}}
|-
|[[Carnoustie]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Carnoustie}}
|-
|[[Monifieth]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Monifieth}}
|-
|[[Brechin]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Brechin}}
|-
|[[Kirriemuir]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kirriemuir}}
|-
|[[Birkhill]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Birkhill and Muirhead}}
|-
|[[Letham, Angus|Letham]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Letham}}
|-
|[[Ferryden]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Ferryden and Inchbraoch}}
|-
|}

==Historic parishes==
{{See also|List of civil parishes in Scotland}}
[[File:ANGUSSHIRE (Forfarshire). Civil Parish map.jpg|thumb|400px|right|c.1854 Angusshire (Forfarshire) Civil Parish map.<ref>{{cite book |first=John Marius, Rev. |last=Wilson |title=Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland |volume=I |publisher=A. Fullarton & Co |year=1854 |page=colour image preceding page 671 |url=https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee01wils#page/n805/mode/1up}}</ref>]]
Forfarshire was divided into parishes, some of which share the name with current settlements:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angus & Kincardineshire, Parishes in Angus (Forfarshire)|url=https://www.ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/intro.html#alin|access-date=2024-06-23|website=ancestor.abel.co.uk}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|style=width: 500px;|
* [[Aberlemno]]
* [[Airlie, Angus|Airlie]]
* [[Alyth]] (part of)
* [[Arbirlot]]
* [[Arbroath]]
* [[Auchterhouse]]
* [[Barry, Angus|Barry]]
* [[Brechin]]
* [[Careston]]
* [[Carmyllie]]
* [[Clova, Angus|Clova]]
* [[Cortachy]]
* [[Coupar Angus|Coupar]]
* [[Craig, Angus|Craig]]
* [[Dun, Angus|Dun]]
* [[Dundee]]
* [[Dunnichen]]
* [[Eassie]]
* [[Edzell]]
* [[Farnell, Angus|Farnell]]
* Fern
* [[Forfar]]
* Fowlis Easter
* [[Glamis]]
* [[Glenisla]]
* [[Guthrie, Angus|Guthrie]]
* [[Inverarity]]
* [[Inverkeilor]]
* [[Kettins]]
* Kingoldrum
* Kinnell
* [[Kinnettles]]
* Kirkden/[[Friockheim]]
* [[Kirriemuir]]
* Lethnot
* [[Liff, Angus|Liff]]
* Lintrathen
* Lochlee
* Logie Pert
* [[Lunan, Angus|Lunan]]
* [[Lundie]]
* Mains and [[Strathmartine]]
* Maryton
* [[Menmuir]]
* [[Monifieth]]
* [[Monikie]]
* [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]]
* [[Murroes]]/Muirhouse
* Nevay
* [[Newtyle]]
* [[Oathlaw]]
* [[Panbride]]
* Rescobie
* [[Ruthven, Angus|Ruthven]]
* [[St Vigeans]]
* [[Stracathro]]
* [[Tannadice, Angus|Tannadice]]
* [[Tealing]]
}}

==Education==
[[Secondary schools]] in Angus:
* Arbroath Academy
* [[Arbroath High School]]
* [[Brechin High School]]
* [[Carnoustie High School]]
* [[Forfar Academy]] 
* [[Monifieth High School]] 
* [[Montrose Academy]] 
* [[Webster's High School]]

==Places of interest==
* [[Aberlemno Sculptured Stones]]
* [[Arbroath Abbey]]
* [[Barry Mill]]
* [[Brechin Cathedral]]
* [[Brechin Castle]]
* [[Brechin Round Tower]]
* [[Caledonian Railway (Brechin)]]
* [[Cairngorms National Park]]
* [[Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve]]
* [[Eassie Stone]]
* [[Edzell Castle]]
* [[Glamis Castle]]
* [[Glenesk Folk Museum]]
* [[House of Dun]]
* [[Loch of Kinnordy Nature Reserve]]
* [[Meffan Institute]]
* [[Monboddo House]]
* [[Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre]]
* [[Montrose Basin Nature Reserve]]
* [[Montrose Museum]]

==Sister areas==

* {{flagicon|China}} – [[Yantai]], [[Shandong]], [[China]].<ref>{{cite report |title=A Review of Angus Council's "Angus in China" Initiative and "Sister Area" Agreement with Yantai |publisher=Angus Council |date=15 November 2001 |url=https://archive.angus.gov.uk/ccmeetings/reports/chiefexec/chx2001/1317.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://archive.angus.gov.uk/ccmeetings/reports/chiefexec/chx2001/1317.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Surnames==
Most common surnames in Angus (Forfarshire) at the time of the [[1881 United Kingdom census]]:<ref name="angus1881">{{cite web |title=Most Common Surnames in Angus |work=Forebears.co.uk |date=1881 |url=http://forebears.co.uk/scotland/angus#surnames}}</ref>

# [[Smith (surname)|Smith]]
# [[Robertson (surname)|Robertson]]
# [[Anderson (surname)|Anderson]]
# [[Stewart (name)|Stewart]]
# [[Scott (name)|Scott]]
# [[Mitchell (surname)|Mitchell]]
# [[Brown (surname)|Brown]]
# [[Duncan (surname)|Duncan]]
# [[Milne (surname)|Milne]]
# [[Thomson (surname)|Thomson]]

==See also==
*[[Earl of Angus]]
*[[List of places in Angus]]
*[[List of counties of Scotland 1890–1975]]
*[[Diocese of Brechin|Medieval Diocese of Angus]]
*[[Scheduled monuments in Angus]]
*[[List of Category A listed buildings in Angus]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nesmslibrary.org/rvp/gww/php/foview.php Forfarshire Photographs] from the [[George Washington Wilson]] 1904 Catalogue of Landscape and Architectural Views in Scotland

{{Commons category|Angus}}

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