Arbroath Signal Tower Museum awarded £79,800 for vital restoration works
Arbroath Signal Tower Museum has been awarded £79,800 from the Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) Repair and Adaptation Fund to carry out essential repair work on the historic building.
The funding will enable the museum to replace the ten rotten harbour-facing windows and carry out specialist damp treatment works, ensuring the building is preserved for future generations and remains a welcoming space for the community and visitors.
The Signal Tower, originally built in 1813 as the shore station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, is one of Arbroath’s most iconic landmarks. Today, it serves as a museum sharing the story of the town’s maritime heritage, the Bell Rock Lighthouse, and the lives of the lighthouse keepers and their families. The museum, one of ANGUSalive’s unique visitor attractions, welcomed 11,469 visitors in 2024.
Rachel Jackson, Museums Galleries Archives Operations Lead welcomed the award, saying: “Thanks to Museums Galleries Scotland we are able to undertake this project to replace the rotten sea-facing windows, a vital step in protecting one of Arbroath’s most important historic buildings and the collections within. The repairs will also enhance the visitor experience, ensuring that the museum continues to inspire for years to come.”
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said: “We are delighted to be supporting Arbroath Signal Tower Museum through the Repair and Adaptation Fund. These essential works will not only help to preserve an important piece of Scotland’s cultural heritage but also enhance the visitor experience, ensuring that future generations can benefit from the museum and its unique collection.”
The restoration project will begin next year, with works carefully planned to ensure there is minimal impact on the visitor experience.
All ANGUSalive museums are free to visit, with craft activities and trails always available to entertain younger visitors and a carefully curated range of gifts on offer in the museum shops.
Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, Meffan Museum & Art Gallery and Montrose Museum & Art Gallery are open throughout the year, from 1 April to 31 October open every day except Tuesday’s, and from 1 November to 31 March open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10.30am – 4.00pm.
More information about the free of charge museums can be found at www.angusalive.scot/museums-galleries/visit-a-museum-gallery.
About Museums Galleries Scotland
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums sector. We support 455 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, advice, workforce development and advocacy. For further information about Museums Galleries Scotland visit https://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/about-mgs/