Travel to Arbroath (A92) The rich maritime history of the Angus coast is the stuff of legends. Trade between the Angus coast and the Baltic ports can be traced back five centuries and the port records of Dundee are some of the oldest in Europe. Montrose is still a busy port, with links across the North Sea and around the world.
At Arbroath Harbour take a little time to stroll around the old harbour walls, constructed in the beautiful red sandstone so prevalent in the area. The same stone was shipped from Carmyllie quarry through Arbroath Harbour to build the Forth Rail Bridge and Cologne Cathedral. Arbroath was built on the fishing industry. Follow the scent of the famous Arbroath Smokie, the smoked haddock prepared only in Angus, which is now exported around the world. In 2004 the Smokie was awarded Protected Geographical Indication, acknowledging its unique status.
The current harbour dates from 1839 but there has been a harbour here since 1394. Arbroath Signal Tower was the shore station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, which was completed in 1813. Today this building, which acted as a lifeline for the keepers offshore, houses the Signal Tower Museum, full of atmospheric displays on the history of Arbroath.
Walking back by the Harbour and through the High Street with its bustling shops, at the top of the town you will find Arbroath Abbey (Historic Scotland), ancient site of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. This statement of Scottish independence represented the birth of democracy In Scotland and Angus can rightfully claim to be the Birthplace of Scotland. An excellent visitor centre and friendly guides bring alive the Abbey's majestic past.
Travel the coastal byways northward, taking time to explore the pretty village of Auchmithie, which perches between lush meadows and red cliffs. Auchmithie, was a small fishing village, and like Arbroath, was used as a setting in Sir Walter Scott's 'The Antiquary'.
Beautiful Lunan Bay, with its golden sand and high dunes, is a great place for a picnic or a swim. Overlooking Lunan Bay, the romantic ruin of Red Castle - named for the colour of its stone - is a relic of the time of King William the Lion who built it in the late 12th Century as a fortress to withstand Viking invaders who had attacked the area. The castle was inhabited until the 1700s and partially roofed until 1770.
For those who like to walk, the route around the cliffs northward is interesting, past the old limekilns at Boddin Point, the rock arch locally called the Elephant Rock, and by the abandoned fishing village at Usan.
A little inland of Usan, is a mansion and estate called Dunninald which was designed by architect James Gillespie Graham in 1824 on the site of a 17th century building. Little remains of an even earlier building, Black Jack's Castle, built in the 15th century. Dunninald Castle lies in a planned landscape dating from 1740, which includes a walled garden. Still a family home, the property is open to the public during July, in the afternoons.
Travel to Montrose, and on to Ferryden, on the south side of the South Esk river. Ferryden is a picturesque village situated on the south side of the river South Esk, near the where the river meets the North Sea. It was once a busy fishing hamlet but it owes its existence to an ancient river crossing.
Travellers to Montrose from the south originally arrived in the area of the pier at Ferryden and made the crossing over to Montrose and onwards to the north. The earliest record of the ferry is in 1178 when King William the Lion granted the ferryboat of Montrose and its lands to Arbroath Abbey. These lands were probably what is now Ferryden farm. Onwards to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse, on a narrow road lined with wildflowers in summer the walker is rewarded with views over Montrose to the Angus hills and across the river estuary. Look out for seals, and sometimes dolphins.
Scurdie Ness Lighthouse, at the mouth of the South Esk estuary where there is a powerful tidal 'roost', is listed as a building of Architectural/Historic interest. In 1867 the fisher-folk of Ferryden approached the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses to have a light established on Montrose Point at the rock-bound shore stretching between the Bell Rock and Girdle Ness, the scene of numerous shipwrecks and loss of life. The lighthouse was built by engineers David and Thomas Stevenson and on was lit for the first time in 1870.
The busy port of Montrose uses both sides of the river to carry out its business. There is no ferry now, but a handsome new bridge spans the river, on the approach to Montrose. Cross over the bridge, which runs parallel to the main East Coast railway line.
In the graceful Victorian Royal Burgh of Montrose, visit Montrose Museum to discover the maritime history of the busy port from its origins on the sandbank at the mouth of the South Esk, to its heyday in the time of the 18th and 19th century merchants up to the present day. The Maritime Gallery has a superb fleet of model shipping, scrimshaw, whalebone items, flensing tools, harpoons and other relics of the once thriving East Coast whaling industry.
Stroll around the pleasant Mid Links, with its tennis courts, bowling green and children's play area. If you've got your clubs in the boot, book a round of golf at Montrose Golf Links - Montrose Medal is an Open qualifier course.
Enjoy an ice cream at the Seafront Splash at the beach - the kids can let off steam at the adventure playground, while you enjoy the view of the bay and imagine the four-masted schooners or the steam-whalers plying their way down the coast.
Montrose has much else to offer the visitor, with its delightful Victorian park areas, friendly shops, and a surprisingly significant place in aviation history - well interpreted at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, where you'll hear about its valiant history, heroes of the air, and lingering ghosts...
There are good eating places all around the Angus coast, for everything from snacks to fine dining, and wonderful places to stay.
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