Your local independent vet
Expert care in the heart of Angus
If you’re looking for vets in Forfar, Thrums Vets sits right in the centre of town on Queenswell Road — a consulting practice that has been part of the fabric of Forfar’s community for over 75 years. We’re the only locally owned, independent veterinary group serving Angus, and our Forfar branch gives you direct access to an expert team of vets without the corporate structure that so often gets in the way of genuinely personal care.
Our Forfar practice is backed by our fully equipped veterinary hospital in Kirriemuir, just four miles up the road. This means your pet has access to the full range of care — from routine consultations, vaccinations, dental treatment and acupuncture right through to surgery, diagnostic imaging, overnight hospitalisation, and specialist orthopaedic and keyhole procedures — all within the same trusted Thrums family. We also stock a well-stocked pet shop on-site, and Forfar is the collection point for farm and equine prescriptions across the Angus area, reflecting the breadth of what we do in this part of Scotland.
Dog walking spots in Forfar
Forfar sits in the heart of Strathmore, surrounded by some of Angus’s finest walking country. Whether you’re after an easy lochside circuit or a hilltop climb with panoramic views, there’s a route here for every dog and every kind of day.
Forfar Loch Country Park
Just a five to ten minute walk from Forfar town centre, Forfar Loch Country Park is the town’s most-loved natural asset — and one of Angus’s finest spots for a dog walk that suits all abilities. The 2.5-mile circular path around the loch is flat, well-surfaced, and suitable year-round, making it just as enjoyable on a crisp winter morning as a long summer evening. It forms part of the wider Forfar Path Network and can easily be extended for those wanting more.
The loch itself is a haven for wildlife. Kingfishers, otters, fox, and roe deer are among the regular residents, and keen-eyed visitors keep a lookout for osprey fishing over the water during the summer months. Swans, herons, geese, coots and ducks can be seen throughout the year. Dogs are welcome year-round and should be kept under control; they are not permitted in the children’s play area. Free parking is available beside the Ranger Centre and at Turfbeg on the north-east side of the loch, and public toilets are on-site.
Balmashanner Hill
Known locally as ‘the Bummie’, Balmashanner Hill is the distinctive landmark that dominates the skyline south of Forfar — and for good reason, it rewards even the most modest of climbs with some of the finest views in Angus. The circular route, which can be started directly from the town centre via Reid Park, takes you up through open green fields past the old quarry workings before reaching the summit, where the striking Baronial war memorial tower looks out over Forfar, the Vale of Strathmore, and the Sidlaw Hills beyond.
At around 2.5 miles for the full circuit, it’s short enough to be a brisk morning outing but scenic enough to feel properly worthwhile. The first and last sections along Anderson Road carry the most ascent; the rest is a gentle, open ramble across hilltop grassland where dogs can run with room to stretch their legs. Parking is most easily found at Reid Park at the foot of the hill. The route can be combined with a circuit of Forfar Loch for a longer half-day walk.
Dog-friendly areas near Forfar
Angus has a quietly exceptional reputation as dog-friendly country. Here are two of the finest destinations within easy reach of Forfar for a proper day out with your dog.
Glamis Castle & Grounds
Just five miles south-west of Forfar, Glamis Castle is one of Scotland’s most celebrated historic houses — the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the birthplace of HRH Princess Margaret, and the setting that inspired Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Its 14,000-acre estate contains some of the finest walking grounds in Angus, and dogs are actively welcomed throughout the gardens and grounds on leads.
The estate’s walking routes take in the Italian Garden, the walled garden, the Macbeth Trail through woodland carved with characters from the play, a riverside path, and the Victorian pinetum. Together they offer several miles of varied, scenic walking in a setting that manages to be both spectacular and peacefully unhurried. The café terrace is dog-friendly, so you can take a break with your dog after a morning’s exploring. Dogs are not permitted inside the castle itself, but the outdoor spaces more than compensate. The gardens and grounds are open daily from spring through to autumn; admission charges apply.
The Stag, Castle Street
Right in the centre of Forfar on Castle Street, The Stag is the town’s most popular dog-friendly pub — a lively, welcoming local that combines a traditional bar atmosphere with a proper food menu and regular live entertainment at weekends. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, and the team are happy to provide a bowl of water for your four-legged companion while you settle in.
“Forfar’s liveliest local — where dogs are as welcome at the bar as their owners.”
The menu runs to hearty pub classics and the sort of straightforward, well-cooked food that’s exactly what you want after a morning on Balmashanner Hill or a circuit of the loch. It’s also well-placed as a pre-match or pre-show option, sitting just a short walk from Station Park and the Reid Hall. Dogs must be kept on leads in the bar area at all times. Always worth calling ahead to confirm dog-friendly availability on busier evenings.
Pet events near Forfar
Forfar and the surrounding Angus area have a surprisingly rich calendar of events for dog owners and animal lovers — from charitable open days to spectacular countryside gatherings in the castle grounds down the road.
Guide Dogs Annual Funday
Forfar is home to one of Scotland’s Guide Dogs training centres — and each year the centre opens its doors to the public for a family funday that gives visitors a rare and genuinely moving insight into the extraordinary work that goes on behind the scenes. The event is free to attend and warmly welcoming of all dogs, making it one of the most distinctive pet events in Angus.
The day typically features the chance to meet future guide dogs and their trainers, craft and food stalls, activities for all ages, and the opportunity to learn about how guide dogs are trained from puppyhood through to becoming life-changing working companions. Donations to the charity are gratefully received. Keep an eye on the Guide Dogs website and local community groups for news of dates each year — it’s consistently one of the most-talked-about events in the Forfar calendar.
Dog events at Glamis Castle
The stunning grounds of Glamis Castle, just five miles from Forfar, host a programme of outdoor events throughout the open season — including dog-themed gatherings that draw enthusiasts from across Angus and beyond. These events make the most of the castle’s extraordinary setting, bringing dogs and their owners together on the front lawns and through the estate’s woodland trails for a day of friendly socialising, competitions, and community spirit.
The Glamis events calendar changes from year to year, so it’s always worth checking the castle’s website ahead of the season for the latest programme. The grounds are dog-friendly throughout the open season regardless of specific events, so a visit to Glamis is always a worthwhile outing — but when a dedicated dog day falls, it’s one of the finest things to do with your dog in Angus.
Ready to join the Thrums family?
Registering with Thrums Vets Forfar takes just a few minutes — and means your pet will have access to genuinely independent, expert veterinary care that’s been trusted across Angus since 1948. Our Forfar team are always delighted to welcome new clients and their animals.
