Home Report Arbroath

The seaside town of Arbroath is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus with a population of roughly 24,000 residents. There is evidence showing settlement as far back as the Iron Age, but Arbroath’s modern history really began with the founding of Arbroath Abbey in the late 1100s. Fast forward a few centuries, the town began to grow considerably during the industrial revolution due to expanding demand in the flax and jute industries which were prominent in the area. Around this time Arbroath Harbour became one of the largest fishing ports in Scotland.

Arbroath is also notable historically as the home of the Declaration of Arbroath, one of the country’s most important documents, to recognise Scotland as an independent Kingdom and Robert the Bruce as its King. The Declaration is famous for one phrase in particular: “For, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” Much more historically significant was the implication elsewhere in the document that in future the King of Scotland could only rule with the approval of the people of Scotland, a notion drastically ahead of its time.

Today, however, the town might be more famous for the Arbroath Smokie, which is a line-caught haddock, smoke-cured over oak chips and considered to be a “world-class delicacy” by chef Rick Stein. Under European Law, the Smokie has the same protection as Champagne!

With regards to today’s local economy, the public sector employs the largest number of people in the town, with a significant number of the workforce also commuting to work in Dundee. Arbroath is home to 45 Commando of the Royal Marines, who have been based at RM Condor since 1971 and remain a major contributor to the local economy. In addition to the Marines stationed at Arbroath, around 600 residents are employed by the Ministry of Defence. Tourism also plays a part in the local economy, with the ruins of Arbroath Abbey attracting around 15,000 visitors per year. The multi-million-pound Visit Scotland harbour visitor centre features a multimedia experience for visitors and explains the town’s fishing history, as well as hosting a restaurant and gift shop.

In terms of schooling, the area is served by several primary and secondary schools both catholic and non-denominational. Arbroath High School and Arbroath Academy are well regarded, with performance indicators usually above the national averages.

Arbroath has good connections to Dundee and the wider Angus area through the A92 road. The A92 joins the A90 north of Stonehaven and leads to Aberdeen further north in about an hour. Arbroath railway station runs trains directly to Dundee, Perth and to Edinburgh, with connecting trains to Glasgow and further south into England.