About us

Who we are

We are representatives of the businesses, groups and organisations that operate within the tourism community in Angus. We provide the services that visitors to the area need. We work at the attractions and  in the restaurants, accommodations and shops that provide service to visitors and locals in Angus. We have a vested interest in the success of tourism.  If tourism flourishes, our businesses and communities flourish.

Vision

A thriving membership organisation working together for the benefit of tourism in Angus

Mission

The purpose of the Cooperative is to work collaboratively to improve the tourism offer in Angus and to promote the area as a visitor destination in particular through:

  1. Industry Leadership – Providing an informed and influential voice for Angus tourism at a regional and national level. Encouraging and supporting individuals to undertake leadership roles ensuring continued growth and increased capabilities of the members to support tourism
  2. Enabling networking and peer support – Creating and facilitating regular events and other opportunities for members to connect and engage in business support
  3. Collaboration and engagement – Foster and nurture opportunities for members to work together on activities that enhance our members products and services.
  4. Contribute to and support the delivery of the Angus Tourism Strategy – Members work in partnership with stakeholders to develop and lead on the contribution to working groups in the delivery of the strategy and plan
  5. Inspiring innovation and business growth – Sharing and showcasing examples and stories of success to develop Angus tourism

The Board

  • Alison Elliott

    Chair

    Murton Farm Trust
    • Manager at Murton Trust
    • ATC Chair
    • ATC Lead Communities led tourism
    • Project partner in the EU Leader Angus project ‘Flourishing Destinations’.
    • ATC Lead in the Tay Cities Tourism Strategy Group
    • ATC representative on the Marketing and Pride in Place Groups (Angus Tourism Framework)

  • Louise Nicoll

    Newton Farm Holidays
    • Owner of Newton Farm Holidays and Farm Tours
    • ATC  – Lead for Dog Friendly Angus & Dundee.
    • ATC – Lead for Agrotourism
    • ATC representative on the Scottish Tourism Alliance Destination Forum Group

  • Kelly Ann Dempsey

    Wild Angus
    • Owner of Wild Angus
    • ATC Lead on Angus Outdoors
    • ATC Lead on Green Tourism

  • Bruce Sheridan

    Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
    • General Manager of Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
    • ATC Lead on Golf Tourism

  • Emma Fraser

    • ATC Dog Friendly Angus Lead

The Team

  • Norma Lyall

    Development Worker

    ATC and Brechin Community Led Tourism

    Norma joins ATC as our development worker with a broad range of experience in the tourism sector. A former Director of ATC and a delivery partner on the AngusLEADER Flouishing Destinations project, her special interests include rural and community led tourism and local food and drink. She is a founder member of the Appetite for Angus food and drink network, joint lead in the Pride of Place group and a member of Brechin Community Led Tourism group. She has experience of running her own business, business and project management and managing a portfolio of holiday cottages. She has a passion and enthusiasm for living, working; and exploring in Angus.

  • Fiona Walsh

    Food and Drink Coordinator

    Appetite for Angus

    Fiona is the Co-ordinator for Appetite for Angus.

    Since graduating with a business & languages degree in 1999, Fiona has been involved in the drinks industry for Diageo, SAB Miller, La Martiniquaise & Lucozade Suntory. She has worked in senior sales & marketing roles with globally recognised brands Guinness, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Peroni & Label 5.

    Following the birth of her 1st son, Fiona decided to take the leap into self-employment and set up a small sales agency, Small Brands; Big Ambition, supporting the growing craft brewing & distilling sector in Scotland. By bringing big brand know-how to small start-up businesses, she helps clients on their journey from concept to launch & beyond.

    In early 2017, she created the award-winning Redcastle Gin recipe, working with Arbroath based distiller Lewis Scothern, and in 2020 formed Toll House Spirits, named after the Taranty Toll House near Brechin, the childhood home of her late mum. It is very much a family business with Fiona’s husband and sister as her co-directors. The growing Toll House portfolio includes Redcastle Gin, Rum & Liqueurs and Broughty Ferry Gin, with more exciting products to come this year.

    Born and brought up in Monifieth, to Angus born parents, Fiona is passionate about the local food & drink industry, believes in the importance of collaboration, provenance and honesty, and loves the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit we have across this fabulous county. As a mum to 2 small boys, life is never dull, but she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Partners working with the ATC

  • Caroline Warburton

    VisitScotland

    Caroline Warburton is VisitScotland’s Regional Leadership Director for the East of Scotland which comprises Fife, Perthshire, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeen City & Shire and Moray. Caroline’s role is to oversee VisitScotland’s strategic engagement for the region and with direct responsibility for Fife, Perthshire, Dundee and Angus. Caroline joined VisitScotland in April 2018 from the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) where she was responsible for coordinating the national tourism strategy, Tourism Scotland 2020. Prior to being at the STA, Caroline ran Wild Scotland, Scotland’s wildlife and adventure tourism association bringing the sector together to raise its profile nationally and internationally. Caroline sits in on our Board meetings every quarter and provides valuable industry support on a regular basis that helps keep the ATC aware of developments within tourism, both regionally and nationally.

  • Jane Taylor

    Angus Council

    Jane is one of the Economic Development Officers at Angus Council. After many years working in golf club management, Jane moved to Angus Council in 2010 to take on the role as Sector Officer for Golf, leading on the development and delivery of Angus Council’s golf tourism strategy and working together with the industry and partners locally, nationally and internationally, to promote the destination through the Carnoustie Country campaign.  Over the last 12 months she has increasingly expanded her remit across the wider tourism sector and is looking forward to supporting the ATC and its members, and to working collaboratively to grow the reputation of Angus as a great place to visit.