Founded in the 12th century around a monumental abbey, Arbroath is a former royal burgh and the largest town in Angus. It flourished on the back of the flax and jute industries during the Industrial Revolution and, by the early 20th century, it was one of Scotland’s most important fishing ports.
Things to do in Arbroath
Dominating Arbroath’s harbour is the Signal Tower Museum, which showcases the history of the town’s 19th-century lighthouse. It was originally built as an operational base for the offshore Bell Rock Lighthouse, with fishing vessels from Arbroath delivering newspapers, provisions and messages to its keepers. In addition to exhibiting lighthouse artefacts and vintage fishing equipment, the museum also displays objects relating to the local lawnmower manufacturer Shanks.
At the top of the town’s high street are the remains of Arbroath Abbey, which was originally founded by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks. It was constructed using locally sourced red sandstone, with a cruciform church, an abbot’s residence and a gatehouse among its facilities. Don’t miss the impressive twin-towered design of the west front.
Stretching east of Arbroath are the Seaton Cliffs, which can be accessed along a dramatic hiking trail. Soak up the views across the North Sea while admiring the coast’s red sandstone formations, with highlights including “The Sphinx”, “Mermaid’s Kirk”, and “Deil’s Heid”. You can relax on one of the trail’s numerous benches or scramble down the cliffs to explore the coast’s pebbly beaches.
Getting around Arbroath
Arbroath is around 25 minutes’ drive from Dundee and 1.5 hours from Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Regular trains connect to the Arbroath railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Arbroath is compact enough to explore on foot.