Land Use

Angus is home to 40% of Scotland's class-1 agricultural land and produces 27.5% of the country's vegetables (potatoes, peas and beans for canning). (This information comes from the Agricultural Census carried out by the Scottish Government in June 2008)

The fertile soils and mild climate are ideal for growing top-quality soft fruit, vegetables, grain and seed potatoes in particular. Cattle and sheep are also raised in the hill and upland areas. So, it is not surprising that two-thirds of the catchment is used for agricultural production.

Improved pasture for grazing on the floodplain is a feature of the upper catchment, while the middle and lower areas are dominated by arable (crop) production.

Other main land uses in the area are forestry and heather moorland.

Heather moor is confined to the slopes of the upper area where it is managed for grouse shooting and deer stalking. Montreathmont Forest in the lower area is the largest conifer plantation. Other smaller but still significant plantations are found in the Angus Glens of the upper catchment, and pockets of semi-natural woodland are found throughout.

Montremeathmont Forest

Geographic Location