IT HAS emerged that Angus is familiar territory for A-list couple Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter.
The famous pair caused a Hogmanay stir in Forfar when they arrived at the town’s Lochside Leisure Centre for a five-a-side kickabout, delighting staff by posing for a photograph.
Film director Burton (54) also signed one local’s Batman T-shirt as a memento of his successes with the movies starring Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader.
Their impromptu Angus appearance quickly saw social media sites awash with comments about the visit as fans of the Edward Scissorhands director and his partner, who was awarded the CBE in the New Year Honours, reacted to the news.
The Belmont Arms Hotel near Meigle was another spot the duo dropped in on during what has been one of their regular visits to the county over many years, through 46-year-old Ms Bonham Carter’s family friendship with the Earl and Countess of Airlie, of Cortachy Castle.
Lady Airlie said Harry Potter star Bonham Carter’s mother, Elena, and late father, Raymond, were longstanding and very close friends.
Lord Airlie is godfather to Ms Bonham Carter’s brother, Tom, and the late Mr Bonham Carter was godfather to one of the Ogilvy family children.
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk