A heritage trail celebrating famous Mearns spots was unveiled yesterday.
Locals hope visitors flocking to the new V&A Museum of Design in Dundee will head further north to explore the area, drawn by a map linking famous names, places, and events in the Mearns.
This will draw together known and lesser-known connections between famous names such as Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Robert Burns, Hercules Linton, and Joan Eardley.
Yesterday, the map and guide was presented to Nigel Taylor, chairman of the Our Mearns Tourism Association, at Glenbervie’s old kirkyard – where the ancestors of Robert Burns are buried.
Mr Taylor said: “We have a wealth of fascinating history and a tremendously rich heritage in the Mearns and we must do all we can to ensure that they are not lost.
“Projects such as this not only help preserve the history and heritage, but also help to illustrate and promote the diversity of the Mearns.”
For the first time, Our Mearns Tourism Association (OMTA) brings together the best of the cultural, artistic, heritage, travel, leisure and hospitality opportunities which the Mearns has to offer.
The content of the map was put together by Dave Ramsay, director of Mearns Heritage Services and Alan Brown of Prographix designed the images, photos and graphics and layout.
Mr Ramsay said: “The content of the guide was greatly assisted by the involvement of Bervie, Glenbervie and Auchenblae primary schools, over an 18-month project to produce the Cutty Sark virtual museum website, and having seen the great work which Alan has produced since we started working together in 2011.
“I hope that this contribution to OMTA will help take their Mearns initiative forward.”
North East MSP Liam Kerr, who attended the event, said the trail will help bring out the “obvious charms of the Mearns and its history for visitors and locals alike”.
He said: “We are looking forward to an influx of visitors to Scotland after the V&A opens in September, and those who look further afield will find lots to see and do here.”