A Viking invasion of Danish golfers is set to tee up a major economic boost for Angus.
Up to 400 golfers are flying in to Dundee on eight chartered flights from Karup in the west of Denmark.
The red carpet is also being rolled out to Danish media, PGA Professionals and tour operators in a bid to showcase the area as “a great place to stay, play and visit”.
The Scandinavian market has been targeted as part of a three-year activity plan aimed at capitalising on opportunities around The Open being staged in Carnoustie in 2018 and maximising the economic impact locally.
A Carnoustie Country spokesperson said: “Danish tour operator, Green 2 Green, has chartered eight flights between Karup in the West of Denmark and Dundee.
“Up to 400 Danish golfers will visit Carnoustie Country and Fife over a six-week period in September/October 2017.
“The first flight is scheduled to arrive in Dundee on September 8 with the last one departing Dundee on October 14.
“We are supporting Green 2 Green to develop 3-6 night stay and play itineraries with local courses and accommodation providers across Carnoustie Country.
“Carnoustie Country will also be hosting Danish media, PGA Professionals and tour operators in April and May to showcase the area as a great place to stay, play and visit.
“Our three-year activity plan is aimed at capitalising on opportunities around The Open and maximising the economic impact locally.
“The relationship with Green 2 Green has developed over this period and it is our ambition for further packages and charters to be developed throughout 2018 and beyond.”
Green 2 Green is run by Peter Grinsted and Ole Grauting and organises flexible golf travel around the world for individual travellers and groups.
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey said: “It is vital, both at a local and Scotland-wide level, that we seek to tap into every potential tourism market, so this is a very welcome initiative.
“One only has to look at the impact of Danish golfers like Thomas Bjorn, Soren Hansen and Soren Kjeldsen the European and world stage to realise how popular the sport is in that country.
“And as the home of golf, Scotland – especially this corner of it – needs to capitalise on its attractiveness and become a must visit destination for golfers from Denmark and other northern European countries who want to experience top quality courses outwith their own national borders.
“The eyes of the golfing world will be back on Carnoustie next year with the return of the Open and it remains the jewel in our local golfing crown. But Angus boasts other top notch courses such as Montrose and Monifieth as do neighbouring local authority areas.
“So we have the raw material – now we just have to put it to maximum use.
“However, Angus has much to offer visitors beyond just golf. And I hope this initiative will see the rest of our tourism offering – Arbroath Abbey, Glamis Castle, Barrie’s birthplace, our nature reserves and beautiful gardens for example – promoted in some parallel way so that golfers return here, bringing family members with them to enjoy the many other things we have to offer.”