Brechin’s cathedral dates from 1150 and the unique Round Tower (there is one other like it in Scotland at Abernethy) was the work of settler Irish clergy in 1012. The town used to have two distilleries but North Port was closed in 1983 and recently demolished.

At Brechin Station, steam railway enthusiasts can take a scenic trip down towards the coast. The line ends at Bridge of Dun, close to a fine bird sanctuary, Montrose Basin.

Glencadam was founded in 1825 and although it had a high turnover in owners over the years, this seems to have indicated continued interest in working it. Certainly there were no lengthy periods during which Glencadam was out of production. It was acquired by Hiram Walker in 1954 (later Allied Domecq) and modernised in 1959.

At Brechin Station, steam railway enthusiasts can take a scenic trip down towards the coast. The line ends at Bridge of Dun, close to a fine bird sanctuary, Montrose Basin.

The distillery has a single pair of stills, which are distinctive by the way the lyne-arms at the top rise as they taper away from the necks; most stills tend to have lyne-arms that are horizontal or descend as they conduct the vapours away from the boil.

Glencadam has good body and resonance but is more sweet and fruit than smoke or peat. There are flashes of the latter but this is a summery kind of malt. No official bottlings are released, most of the make going into the Ballantine blends, but the independents offer several, all of them over 20 years old and including a 1974 vintage.

• The Caledonian Railway has taken over old Brechin station and runs between there and Bridge of Dun near Montrose. Special steam days are part of the year-round programmes.

• A Heritage Trail can be followed through the 12th-century and mediaeval parts of Brechin.

• North Port Distillery was, until its recent demolition, Brechin’s other whisky-producer. Its whisky can still be found.

• Lochside Distillery further up the trail at Montrose is a converted brewery, which has produced both malt and grain whisky in its time.

• Glenesk Folk Museum recounts the local way of life over a number of different periods in the past.

• The Lifeboat Station at Montrose was the first to be established by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, and the first boat was launched in 1869. Visitors welcome.

• The House of Dun is an elegant Palladian mansion designed by William Adam, father of Robert and James. Many of Adam senior’s country houses are located in the north-east of Scotland.