As the people of Angus went to the polls, Forfar Panto cast were safe in the knowledge that their show would go on.
For the first time, the Strathmore Hall at Forfar Mart was brought into use as a polling station since the traditional base at Reid Hall was needed for the town’s Christmas show.
The shift in venue came after the snap general election call threw a potential custard pie towards Forfar Musical Society’s planned four-night run of The Grinch.
The shift from the Reid Hall was one of five changes to voting locations across the district.
James Gray-Cheape of the Scottish Conservatives said polling at the mart had been steady during the first couple of hours.
At the Forfar West End FC polling station, SNP candidate Dave Doogan said voters had been queuing up for the doors opening at 7am.
Mr Doogan predicted the race between him and Kirstene Hair, who is standing again after securing the seat for the Conservatives in 2017, would be “extremely close”.
In an effort to avoid disruption to schools, Glamis Heritage Education Centre was used instead of Glamis Primary School, The Crickety in Brechin replaced Andover Primary School, Cortachy Church replaced Cortachy Primary School and Friockheim Hub was used for the first time as a polling station in place of the village primary.
Voters were out in force at Gerard Hall in Monifieth where count staff described the early morning attendance as “steady”.
It was a similar scene at Kirriemuir Town Hall which was described by mid-morning as “very busy”.
There also appeared to have been a good turnout in Carnoustie while the attendance in Arbroath was also being described as very steady.
Angus Council said business had been “brisk” around its polling stations, although it is understood postal votes will be down on the previous election.
Angus was looking likely be one of Scotland’s closest-fought battlegrounds.
Voters in the constituency voted overwhelmingly in 2014 to remain as part of the UK but had a higher proportion than the Scottish national average of voters who wanted to leave the EU at 45%, so constitutional issues are expected to have figured in people’s voting intentions once more.
