Arbroath Travel Guide

Harbours are always interesting to visit, as boats of various types will be moored there. In Arbroath what is interesting is the buildings beside the harbour; not bleak grey buildings such as can be found in Aberdeen but attractively built out of sandstone, I think.
Somewhere it should be possible to have a meal of the local speciality, Arbroath smokies [smoked haddock].

Photo courtesy of Arbroath tourist page

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Away from the Abbey, the pedestrianised high street and the sea, the main focus to the town is the harbour. Here you will find 2-3 pubs which serve food as well as a small lighthouse museum. It's a working fishing harbour and is a pleasant spot to while away time.

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These rose-pink sandstone ruins were once described by Dr Johnson as 'fragments of magnificence'.

King William I of Scotland founded the monastery in 1178 for the Tironesian monks as well as bestowing considerable land and money - right from the outset, Arbroath was a powerful abbey. Completed in 13th century, for 200 years, Arbroath Abbey was one of the most important Scottish abbeys, reaching its zenith in April 1320 with the 'Letter of Arbroath', written to the Pope and signed by the great and good of 14th Scotland. The letter called upon the Pope to pressure Edward II of England to recognise Robert the Bruce as the legitimate heir to the Scottish throne and to lift the papal excommunication of Robert. No big deal, but this was regarded as the most important document in Scottish history as, throughout the letter, there is the indication that the Scottish king could only be king at the will of the people - a completely different view to the norm of the time.

1320 certainly proved to be its highpoint (although the letter failed) - it was moreorless downhill from here on in as far as importance was concerned, although its lands and wealth made it an attractive option to the politically minded. The lands slowly dwindled due to over-generous corrupt Abbots but as the monks died or moved on, so did the state of the buildings. By the late 18th century, the Abbey was in the ruinous state it is in today, with much of the original the source material for the town of Arbroath.

What's left is still impressive - towering transept walls, intricate carvings, the gatehouse, the Abbot's House. There is also an excellent display in the new Visitors Centre.

Opening times:
April to September: 9.30am to 5.30pm every day.
October to March: 9.30am to 4.30pm every day.
Admission: Adult £4.50, Child £2.25, Concession £3.50.