Local Area
Arbroath Harbour
Arbroath Abbey - The Birthplace of Scotland
One of the local walks.
Arbroath is a wonderful base with many local tourist attractions and easy routes to explore further afield, to Dundee, St Andrews, Aberdeen, Royal Deeside, the Cairngorms & Edinburgh. Steeped in historical significance, the town boasts the title of being the birthplace of Scotland, with the Declaration of Scottish Independence in 1320. Arbroath Abbey, can date even further back, founded in 1178.
More recently, Arbroath is more renowned for it's fisheries and cuisine. Clan Chieftain of this is the "Smokie". A Smokie is a smoked haddock and no trip to the area is complete without trying one in it's purest form. They are equally as good in a pate, or quiche. It is not all seafood though. The area is also blessed with several excellent small breweries, distillers and even a coffee roastery. All are made and served with the care, love and pride that only family and close friends working together can deliver.
The Bell Rock Lighthouse is the world's oldest sea washed lighthouse. Boat tours are available from Arbroath Harbour but if staying on dry land is more your thing, then a visit to the Signal Tower Museum will tell the story of both it and the lighthouse. Heading north along the coast, the town gives way to the red sandstone cliffs. These can be explored along the pathways on top, but also by kayak tours from below. Golden beaches stretch for miles to the south and invite you to keep on walking until you reach East Haven. Local pride in one of the most well kept little villages means this little gem shines brightly.
A wonderful area to walk enjoying the countryside.
Hospitalfield Cafe and Gardens
Elliot Sands at Arbroath
Moving inland there are castles, grand houses, country parks, a steam railway and a whole list of days out. There are routes for walkers of all abilities and the Gateway to the Glens is only 30 minutes away. Be sure to say hello to Peter Pan and Bon Scott there. Cyclists will find dedicated routes on both tarmac and trail. We can't guarantee the wind at your back but careful route planning will mean you are never far from homemade cake and coffee. Motorists are equally spoilt for choice. We are the ideal base to the Angus Coastal route. Head south and you can explore the Fife Coastal Route and St Andrews and north to the Deeside Tourist route with Braemar and Balmoral. Motor cyclist can complete a pilgrimage to the home of the founders of Harley Davidson in nearby Brechin.
If history is more your thing then the impressive castles at Glamis and Dunnottar are easy drives away. Spare time to look at Red Castle though. Not just because it is at the stunning Lunan Bay, with its unbelievably beautiful beach and sea caves, but try and work out how parts of the castle still stand. While you are on that road, nip in to the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, site of Britain's first military airfield and owner of a replica Spitfire. The visitor centre at the Arbirkie Distillery and the grand house at House of Dun are also on your trail.
For Golfers, you are in Niblick Nirvana. The Championship Golf Course at Carnoustie is a short 15 min drive away and St Andrews with its many famous golf courses is 45 mins drive. There are many other local courses there to test players of all abilities.
The city of Dundee is 25 mins away where you can spend time in the V&A museum and RRS Discovery - the ship that took Captain Scott to Antarctica in 1901.