The Royal Burgh of Brechin has a long and venerable history, and is famous for its tall eleventh century round tower which is one of only two such towers surviving in Scotland, the others are in Ireland. Although the burgh does not have a city charter, it has always held the title thanks to having been the seat of the Diocese of the Roman Catholic church in the area, in pre-Reformation times. The tower originally stood alone but is now part of Brechin Cathedral. The Cathedral itself is an interesting and important landmark, with beautiful stained glass, and much of its medieval masonry and craftsmanship intact.
The town has seen both boom and bust, several times over, during the centuries. It was doing especially well in the period to about 1350. But then it was hit by a double disaster. First the Black Death struck. Then, allegedly through misunderstanding, the town erected a Mercat Cross, a privilege reserved to Royal Burghs. This was such a serious misdemeanour that its rights to hold a market, which were legitimate, were withdrawn.
The 1400s saw the return of the market and considerable wealth that lasted through the following century. But in 1648 the bubonic plague struck again, killing two thirds of the population.
It was the nineteenth century that saw the real growth of Brechin, based largely on textiles. By 1870 there were four major mills in the town, three with power looms. Between them they employed around 1400 people. 1895 saw the arrival of the Caledonian Railway, and in the meantime brewing and distilling assumed considerable importance in the local economy. The brewing has since long gone, but one distillery survives in the town, Glencadam.
Today, Brechin hosts the lively Brechin Arts Festival Arts Festival in September each year, when classical, folk and contemporary music, exhibitions, street theatre and community events attract visitors and locals.
At the heart of Brechin is the Cathedral itself. The interior is remarkable for the wonderful collection of stained glass windows. Every window carries beautiful images, mostly dating back to a major restoration undertaken between 1900 and 1902. These are from a range of big name designers including the William Morris factory.
St Ninian's square, holds much of the town's attractive Victorian architecture, including the library and a view of the remaining mill buildings. The restored Caledonian Railway, a rare and rather fine example of a Victorian railway terminus building operates steam and diesel classic engines and rolling stock and is a Mecca for familes and railway enthusiasts.
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