Photo by Karen Bryan

The coastal town of Arbroath, in the county of Angus, lies twenty miles northeast of Dundee. It is probably best known for its coppery gold Arbroath Smokie smoked haddock. The Smokie is now protected by European Union legislation and, in accordance with EU law, must be smoked in the traditional manner. A tartan was even launched in honour of the Smokie in 2005.

The town centre is dominated by Arbroath Abbey, founded in 1178. The Declaration of Arbroath, in which Scottish nobles swore their independence from the English, was signed here.

Also noteworthy is the Bell Rock Lighthouse. Finished in 1811, it is eleven miles out to sea from Arbroath. It was a real challenge to build, as part of the rock is often submerged beneath the North Sea. Said to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, it has been automated since the 1950s. The Signal Tower—originally constructed as accommodation for the families of lighthouse keepers—now houses a museum devoted to the Bell Rock and local history.

Weather permitting, we recommend grabbing fish and chips from “Marco’s on the Shore,” and eating with a view of the harbor and its colorful houses. And if you feel like a walk after eating, the coastal path feaures dramatic red sandstone cliffs that plunge down into the sea.

Photo by Karen Bryan

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