Exhibitions
Arbroath Signal Tower Museum
Arbroath’s Signal Tower Museum is located near the picturesque harbour in a complex of buildings which were originally used as the shore station and accommodation for the Bell Rock Lighthouse. Built in 1813, Signal Tower served the lighthouse until it was decommissioned in 1955 and became a museum in 1974.
The museum enables residents and visitors alike to hear the story of the magnificent Bell Rock Lighthouse and its influence on the town’s social and industrial history.
The new galleries located within the charming Lighthouse Keepers cottages opened in September 2019. There you can explore the ‘Spotlight on Arbroath’s Fishing Heritage’ exhibition complete with audio-visual games and quizzes as well as the captivating ‘Landing the Catch’ photography exhibition displaying photographs by the late Jonathan Ogilvie observing fisherman during the 1980s. Don’t miss the opportunity to step back in time using the multi-media displays and historic objects to find out more about Arbroath’s fishing and maritime past.
Brechin Town House Museum
Get a snapshot of Brechin through the ages at the Brechin Town House Museum and immerse yourself in the town’s history and people with a fantastic selection of objects, photographs, and archival material.
Displays focus on Brechin’s ancient beginnings as an ecclesiastical city of great note. Diorama displays include a cleric in the Cathedral Scriptorium and the cattle rustler John Gall, in the ‘Black Hole’ of Brechin. A lively series of themed art exhibitions include work by Brechin artist David Waterson.
You can also find out more about the Picts, the Jacobites and 20th century history and compare new Brechin to old when you view a model of the town in miniature based on John Wood’s 1822 map. The museum features a changing programme of contemporary exhibitions, including visual art as well as a variety of fascinating talks.
Inglis Memorial Hall Library Visitor Centre
Inglis Memorial hall and its library were a gift to Edzell in 1898 from Lieutenant Colonel Robert William Inglis, the son of a local minister. The hall still stands as the jewel in the crown of Edzell and its library is a rare survival of a late Victorian closed system which includes one of few working Cotgreave Indicators.
The library underwent an impressive restoration in 2014 and is now a visitor centre for people to learn about the fascinating history and unique survival of the library. You can get a glimpse of what people liked to borrow through previous loan records that survived from the first half of the twentieth century and reflect on what was considered of interest and importance in fiction and non-fiction.
Plus there’s a great opportunity to explore the audio visual presentation featuring the Colonel himself and his family along with the building, the opening of the hall and library as well as places to visit in and around Edzell.
Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum
Originally constructed in 1604 and was formerly home of Kirriemuir’s jail and courthouse, the Gateway to the Glens museum opened in 2001 after being carefully restored and conserved.
It now tells the story of Kirriemuir and the Angus Glens with its permanent exhibition showcasing rare archaeological finds from the area, including the Glasswell coin hoard, as well as a natural history display and a model of the town as it was in 1604. You’ll also hear more about those famous names who hail from Kirriemuir, including Peter Pan author J.M Barrie and AC/DC singer Bon Scott.
Montrose Museum
In 1841, Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society realised that its lodgings in one of the town’s schools was fast being outgrown by its collections of geology, natural history, ethnography, fine art and the hundreds of other items typical of a Victorian museum. A fund was set up and, subsequently, Montrose Museum opened in 1842, making it one of the first purpose-built museums in Scotland.
Designed to look like a true temple of learning, with Ionic columns on either side of the doorway and MUSEUM written above the lintel, in elegant gold leaf, it tells the story of Montrose and its people. From the earliest archaeological finds, the Marquis of Montrose to the Jacobite uprisings and the harbour and maritime trade.
It houses a series of displays in the neo-classical building’s spacious atrium, mezzanine and galleries. It was originally designed to resemble a true temple of learning!
The art gallery, within the museum, hosts changing exhibitions from the community and from Angus Council’s collections of paintings and sculptures. The museum presents series of afternoon talks, children’s activities and occasional evening events.
There is also an exciting project underway to reimagine Montrose Museum through redevelopment of the displays 2and you can read more about this in our news section.
Meffan Museum and Art Gallery
The Meffan Museum & Art Gallery was given to the people of Angus in 1898 as a bequest from the daughter of William Meffan.
In the centre of the market town of Forfar, the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery allows you to explore the Forfar Story. Let the sounds guide you through the narrow and cobbled recreation of an old narrow cobbled street called The Vennel as you peer through the windows of Peter Reid’s sweet shop, the clockmaker’s workshop and the bakery with displays of bread and bridies. You can also find out about the Forfar witches and learn more about the mysterious Picts through a collection of enigmatic sculptured stones.
The museum’s art gallery showcases the work of local, national and internationally renowned artists.
Arbroath Art Galleries
The Corsar Gallery and the Brothock Gallery are set within Arbroath Art Gallery, located within Arbroath Library.
The Corsar Gallery displays fascinating art works from the Angus Art Collection. The Angus Art Collection is the only public collection in the UK that features 2 large scale paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, These significant works, ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ and ‘Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness’, formed the basis of the historical Arbroath collection from the mid-nineteenth century and are on permanent display in the Corsar Gallery
Corsar was born into an Arbroath dynasty of weaving manufacturers. In 1852, Corsar set up in weaving with his brother Allen as Corsar Brothers & Company using his family premises in Milgate. Initially, the Corsar brothers engaged in hand loom weaving but soon modernised when they purchased the Applegate Works and its 35 power looms in 1854. In 1858, Corsar purchased the Brothock Mill to secure their own supply of yarn.
In keeping with many Victorian manufacturers, Corsar contributed to his local community. He served as town councillor for 10 years before becoming Provost in 1867. He served as chairman of the School Board between 1879 and 1889 and was active in the United Presbyterian Church and the Arbroath Infirmary.
In recognition of the gift and of his services to Arbroath, Corsar was awarded Freedom of the Burgh in June 1904.
The historic town of Arbroath derives its name from its location at the mouth of the Brothock Burn. Throughout much of the town’s history, Arbroath was commonly referred to as ‘Aberbrothock’ incorporating the Gaelic term ‘Aber’ meaning ‘mouth of the river’ and ‘Brothock.’ As early as the 1600s the town was sometimes referred to as the shorted Arbroath and by the mid-1800s, the modern name ‘Arbroath’ came into coming use.
The Brothock Burn powered a cluster of mills in Arbroath between in the late 1700s and early 1900s, now much of the river flows under the town.
You’ll also be able to discover fantastic touring exhibitions and locally-generated shows.
To find out about visiting exhibitions and events at the gallery visit our What’s On page.
Find Out More
To find out about visiting exhibitions and events at the gallery visit our What’s On page.