Things you didn't know about... Angus

Arbroath smokies must be smoked in Angus

The famous smoked haddock can only claim their official title if they're smoked within a five-mile radius of the Angus town of Arbroath. Legend has it that the smoked haddock's origins were an absolute fluke: fishermen used to store their fish in the lofts of their cottages and it was only when one such cottage burnt down with a stash of haddock inside that the Smokie was discovered.

Angus is home to the original Wendy house

The Angus town of Kirriemuir is the birthplace of JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan. The small wash-house at the back of the author's childhood home is said to have been the inspiration for the Wendy house.

Angus has a sticky history

James Chalmers' invention—the sticky postage stamp—is credited with having saved the Penny Postage Service, the precursor to today's Royal Mail.

Angus produces world-class potatoes and raspberries, (as well as steak)

The Angus cattle breed isn't the region's only fine food export. The county is also famous for its potatoes and soft fruits, with nearly half of Scotland's Class 1 agricultural land in Angus.

Macbeth ruled here

Glamis Castle, in Angus' Vale of Strathmore, is the legendary seat of Macbeth. It was also the childhood home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and her younger daughter, Princess Margaret. The castle can be seen on every bottle of Strathmore Water.

Angus, home of award-winning toilets

Angus is flush with success after three of its public conveniences scooped gongs at Scotland's 2007 Loo of the Year Awards: the Baltic Street Toilets in Montrose, Market Street Toilets in Arbroath, and the Arbroath Visitor Centre toilets.

Could Angus be the true home of golf?

St Andrews may call itself "The Home of Golf" but Angus' Carnoustie Golf Course has evidence of the game being played there as early 1527—25 years' earlier than St Andrews first written reference of 1552.

AC DC singer Bon Scott was born in Angus

The original lead singer and songwriter of the Australian heavy metal band, was born in the Angus town of Kirriemuir.