Kirriemuir heritage and tourism leaders hope a new guide to the town will lead to a bumper summer season for the wee red town.
Events such as BonFest have shone the global spotlight on the burgh to a greater extent and the latest revision of the town’s tourist guide features the addition of the Bellies Brae statue honouring AC/DC front man Bon Scott among its updates.
Local historian David Orr said supplies of the last edition of the leaflet had dried up as the seven-figure Kirrie Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme was heading towards its conclusion and it was felt a now brochure should be published to inform visitors about what the town has to offer.
“The first edition came out in the early 90s and it was last updated in 2009, so since then there have been quite a few changes to what we have in Kirrie,” said David.
Kirrie Community Council was instrumental in securing the funds for the latest edition of the heritage leaflet, which also includes the new addition of the Tayside Police museum in Reform Street.
“The old leaflet also said it was an Angus heritage brochure so we have tweaked it to emphasise that it is for the burgh of Kirrie.
“We were conscious that the last one had run out and when visitors come to a place like Kirriemuir many of them still like to pick up a traditional tourist brochure to see what the destination has to offer and the points of interest in it.
“I also do guided walks around the town and tend to hand them out to people so that they can maybe then go and explore some of the other points of interest at their leisure on their own tour.
“There are 24 things highlighted on it including, obviously, locations relating to author JM Barrie, and then right up to date with the Bon Scott statue at Bellies Brae,” added Mr Orr.
“The traditional brochure also sits well alongside the tourism app which was developed as part of the CARS project with the school so we’re hoping that the two formats mean there will be something for everyone coming to Kirrie.”
Webster’s High School pupil Victoria Johnston was inspired by the Pokemon Go phenomenon to lead the creation of the tourism app, with fellow pupils helping develop the two trails which guide visitors around the town and its many interesting aspects.
