As we look back on 2025, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of pride for the incredible food and drink community here in Angus. Our vision has always been to promote, celebrate, and collaborate to put Angus on the map, and this year, we’ve done just that. While the hospitality and production sectors have faced ongoing challenges, including rising costs and the need for greater resilience, the spirit of our local producers and businesses has remained unwavering.
Local food and drink are more than just commodities; they are the heart of our regional identity. This year has proven that when we work together, we can overcome obstacles and create something truly special.
Highlights from a Busy Year
Our journey began in January at the Scottish Speciality Food & Drink Show in Glasgow, where we proudly promoted 5 Angus businesses and our three core trails—The Smokie Trail, The Angus Berry Trail, and The Angus Spirit Trail—to a national audience. Chef Hayley cooked up a storm, with samples of Arbroath Smokies proving to be a huge hit with the attendees!
As we moved into the warmer months, our Member Get Togethers became vital touchpoints for our community. In May, we gathered at Upper Dysart, for a fantastic tour around the Stirling Potatoes production facility and the Hay & Play farm diversification. It was a glorious day to spend at a fabulous location. Later, in June, a memorable event at Glamis Castle (supported by our friends at Business Gateway) allowed members to connect in a truly historic setting and learn about the fantastic produce grown and reared within the Glamis Estate. A truly inspiring day.
The summer was a whirlwind of activity, from bringing our Appetite for Angus Food Village back to the Strathmore Highland Games (where over 300 punnets of Angus berries were sold!) to the vibrant Taste of Angus Festival in late August and early September. A standout moment was the incredible success of Smokie Fest on September 7th at the Signal Tower in Arbroath. Despite some weather challenges, over 600 people joined us to celebrate the iconic Arbroath Smokie with chef demos, live music, and local stalls.
We also celebrated our heritage, and one of our region’s biggest industries, through the Berry Trail’s “Tales from the Berry Fields” project. This initiative, which resonated deeply on social media, collected stories and memories of picking berries in the Angus dreels, or trips on the Berry Bus, keeping our local history alive for new generations.
Sowing Seeds for the Future
A major highlight of our year has been our commitment to education and sustainability through the Six Inches of Soil project. Funded by Bioregioning Tayside and the James Hutton Institute, we successfully delivered film screenings and workshops to over 400 pupils across Angus, including those at Borrowfield Primary, Seaview Primary, Inverarity Primary and Arbroath High School. These sessions have been vital in highlighting the critical importance of soil health and the benefits of regenerative farming to our future food leaders.
Growth and Collaboration
Our network continues to grow, and we were thrilled to welcome new members this year, including Glencadam Distillery, who have recently opened their fantastic new visitor centre in Brechin, Beagle & Crumb, who bring tasty bread and baking to Angus and The Brae’s in Carnoustie, a fantastic new restaurant within The Morven Guest House, with glorious views towards Carnoustie Golf Course. Our digital presence has also flourished, with our B2B Facebook group now exceeding 250 active members and our social media posts—like our record-breaking Smokie Trail TikTok—reaching thousands of viewers.
Collaboration has extended beyond our borders. We’ve worked closely with other Regional Food Groups (RFGs) across Scotland, including a productive meeting in Aberdeen to visit the ONE Seed Pod and share ideas on regional sourcing. Projects like Tasting Tayside & Fife on the Road continue to showcase the power of collective promotion, and it is fantastic to be part of a network of RFGs, supported by Scotland Food & Drink.
Bringing Markets Back to the Heart of Our Towns
One of the most rewarding achievements this year has been the successful rescue of local markets in Forfar and Montrose. Through the creation of Producers of Angus Markets (PAM), we have seen a vibrant return of market trading that brings the very best of our county directly to the people.
These markets are now a vital income stream for over 12 of our members, providing a consistent platform for them to sell from and interact directly with their customers. The markets ensure that local residents have direct access to fresh, high-quality food and drink right on their doorstep. This initiative aligns perfectly with the ambitions of the Good Food Nation Act, fostering a sustainable regional food economy driven by shorter supply chains and getting more local food onto local tables.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the team at PAM, who worked tirelessly to secure over £20,000 in funding from partners like the Angus Rural Partnership and Firstport to bring these markets back to life and are proud to support their endeavours.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our funding partners and supporters & sponsors:
Scotland Food & Drink
Seagreen
Bioregioning Tayside
The James Hutton Institute
Angus Rural Partnership
Business Gateway
Angus Climate Hub
Mackays
NFU Mutual
Together, we are building a sustainable regional food economy where local food sits proudly on local menus, retail shelves and tables. Here’s to an even more flavourful 2026!