History of Dundee & Angus
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Arbroath Abbey
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Pictavia - The Land of the Picts, Brechin
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The RRS Discovery, Discovery Point
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Verdant Works, Dundee
Delve deep into the history of Dundee and Angus and you’ll not only learn about the region’s past but also about the country’s defining events, including Pictish life and the Declaration of Arbroath.
During the first millennium, Angus was a hub for Pictish life and there are still many remnants of this time spread across the countryside. The best place to find out more is Pictavia in Brechin, which is home to hands-on exhibits and archaeological relics.
Explore the meanings behind their enigmatic carved stones, learn how their painted and tattooed bodies earned them the name of Picti, Latin for painted people, and hear of their fierce battles with invading Roman armies and Vikings.
Also in Brechin, you can take a ride on a 4-mile stretch of Victorian railway, preserved as an important part of the past - the Caledonian Railway.
No visit to Angus would be complete without a visit to Glamis Castle. Situated at the top of a mile-long drive amid the breathtaking natural beauty of the Strathmore Valley, this magnificent building is saturated in history and legend. Renowned throughout the world as the setting of Duncan's murder in Shakespeare's Macbeth, the castle is even said to have a secret room where a nobleman played cards with the devil himself! Take a tour of its sumptuous interior and admire the priceless treasures contained in its rooms before exploring its beautiful grounds and gardens.
In the beautiful harbour town of Arbroath, you’ll find the impressive ruins of Arbroath Abbey. The abbey is best known as the spot from which the Declaration of Arbroath was sent in April 1320. This document is regarded as the most important in Scottish history and you can discover the whole story in the ground floor of the gatehouse and in the visitor centre.
The city of Dundee is known for the three Js - jute, jam and journalism - the three industries on which the city's prosperity was built. You can find out more about the history of the jute capital at Verdant Works, a restored jute mill now open as a history museum. Travel back 100 years and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the original machines as they roar back to life.
Discover the historic tales of Dundee’s two ships - the RRS Discovery and HMS Unicorn. Follow in the footsteps of the intrepid Captain Scott as you climb aboard the splendid RRS Discovery at Discovery Point and hear about the gripping tale of one of the most heroic expeditions ever undertaken to Antarctica. The Unicorn is one of the world’s last intact warships from the days of sail and one of the six oldest ships in the world.
