Montrose: the most beautiful Attractions
An old harbour town in the east of Scotland deeply rooted in the country’s eventful history and with a special natural spectacle.
Content: Sightseeing | Accommodation | Festivals & Culture
Nature has already built Montrose a special nest. A basin opens up on the land side, which fills with seawater at high tide. With a bit of luck, dolphins will jump here, while herons and kingfishers snatch fish from the water.
Behind the industrial harbour, a reddish sandy beach stretches for kilometres. And at Scurdie Ness, the terns buzz around you.
The town itself has had an eventful history, which can also be seen here: sandstone characterises the houses from past, richer days. And at the northern end is an old airbase from which fighter planes flew for 40 years.
Montrose is a special little town in Scotland, that much is certain. But …
Is Montrose worth a visit?
To be honest, visitors have to embrace the rugged charm of the small town. The town centre on the High Street with its townhouse, church tower and colourful shop fronts is very pretty. But at the same time, it also looks a bit dingy. And visitors are unlikely to find any amazing sights with Instagram appeal here.
So Montrose is not an obvious beauty like Edinburgh. But especially for people who are not visiting Scotland for the first time and want to see an honest city, Montrose is worth a stop for a day or two.
Because behind the rugged charm, there are some beauties to be found …
Montrose places of interest: Map & Overview
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More InformationTown centre
High Street, Townhouse, Steeple
The High Street is, so to speak, the mile in the centre of Montrose. Sandstone houses frame the square here, which runs towards the old town hall. The church tower rises majestically behind it. Statues stand in the centre and look out over the many parked cars. Behind the colourful facades, the shops, fast food outlets and cafés are buzzing with life.
But Montrose is no prettified façade. The small town in the east of Scotland remains honest and raw. Compared to Edinburgh ‘s Royal Mile, the tourist here is almost a minor sensation.
This is because Montrose does not have the eye-catching, major sights. No castle like in Edinburgh, no ultra-modern design museum like in Dundee. Simply a town with a modest history – but one that is clearly visible. Especially on the High Street.
Because there are several statues here: For example, that of Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the police force we know today as the “Bobbies”. A little further on is probably the city’s most famous son: James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Together with Alasdair MacColla, he fought for the Stuart monarchy.
Here, at the end of the High Street, you will find another little gem: the Montrose Library. It was opened in 1905. The money for it was provided by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The same Carnegie who donated the famous Carnegie Hall in New York, for example.
The church tower of St Andrews dominates the centre of the High Street. Although you can’t usually see the church from the inside, the path that runs alongside the church is much more interesting. It divides a cemetery in two, where ancient gravestones lie. On one side, the stones even reach as far as the next house. The passageway itself, with its lantern on an iron gate, exudes a magical, spooky atmosphere, especially in the evening.
Montrose Museum
What a wonderful little museum! The newly renovated Montrose Museum is a real gem. The well thought out layout and the clever selection of exhibits, brings together a seamless history of the town and the surrounding area.
The Pictish stones are a highlight. The Inchbrayock Stone is impressive with its chiselled cross and depictions of people and animals. Other interesting pieces include an old door, old weapons, paintings, ship models and much more.
And the best thing is: there is no entrance fee to the Montrose Museum. However, you can leave a small donation if you like it.
Opening times:
April – October
Wed – Mon: 10:30 – 16:00
(closed on Tuesdays)
November – March
Fri – Mon: 10:30 – 16:00
Last admission to the museum is 30 minutes before closing time
Admission: free
Address: Panmure Place, Montrose DD10 8HF
Web: https://angusalive.scot/museums-galleries/visit-a-museum-gallery/montrose-museum/
Montrose Air Station Museum
An integral part of the town’s recent history is that of the air station. Countless aeroplanes took off from Montrose during, between and after the world wars. The planes flew here from 1913 to 1952. The airport was then shut down.
However, some volunteers did not want to accept this. And since 1983, they have turned the airbase into a museum. One that is alive and constantly being expanded.
In the old barracks and some hangar halls, you can learn a lot about the history of the local squadrons. Technology enthusiasts will enjoy the aircraft. Not only can you marvel at a number of aircraft from different eras, you can also see how they are restored. There is a special highlight in a hangar a few metres away from the actual museum grounds: a complete Tornado jet fighter.
The Montrose Air Station Museum is another one of those marvellous heart projects for the preservation of history in Scotland.
Opening hours:
Fri, Sat: 10:00 – 16:00, Sun 12:00 – 16:00, last admission 15:00
Admission:
Adults: £8, concessions: £7, under 16s free
Address: Broomfield Rd, Montrose DD10 8SY
Web: www.rafmontrose.org.uk
Montrose harbour and coast
The beach
A long beach stretches north of the mouth of the River Esk. It’s a bit of a walk from the town centre, but only a few minutes by car. The car park for the promenade is at the Traill Pavilion. An old building that now houses a tea room serving food and drink.
This is also the location of the statue commemorating the minesweepers who searched the dunes and harbour for explosive devices washed ashore during the Second World War. The work of art was created in 1944 by William Lamb, a local artist. The current statue was recast in 2000.
From here, you have to walk a few metres along the road before you find your way down to the beach. You will also come close to the golf course. Watch out for balls!
Ferryden
On the southern side of the River Esk, you can take the road towards the idyllic fishing village of Ferryden. You can park at the bottom of the beach car park. A short walk through the village is nice.
Scurdie Ness
The path to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse also starts from the car park at Ferryden. The typical Scottish lighthouse stands at the tip of the headland.
With a bit of luck, dolphins will also pass by here. In summer, terns flit back and forth around the lighthouse.
The path along the coast is well developed and reaches the lighthouse after about 1.5 kilometres.
Outside the town
Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
The River Esk flows into the sea at Montrose. But before it joins the salt water, it widens into a huge, shallow basin to the west of the town. The Montrose Basin.
At high tide, the water rises here and mixes with the river, creating brackish water that is particularly rich in nutrients. At low tide, large parts of the ground are exposed – a feast for wading birds. The reeds on the banks provide shelter for the animals. Over 100 species have been counted in Montrose Basins – including grey herons and kingfishers.
Seals occasionally sunbathe on the sandbanks at the eastern end of the basin. And sometimes the dolphins come right up to the bridge.
Visitors can observe all of this. The Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve is located directly in front of the town. It offers information and provides binoculars. Volunteers are happy to explain where and what can be seen.
Opening times:
Mid Feb to 31 Oct: daily 10:30 – 17:00
Nov to mid-Feb: Fri-Mon, 10:30 – 16:00
Admission: Adults £6.50, children under 16 free
Address: Rossie Braes, A92, Montrose DD10 9TA
Web: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/montrose-basin/
House of Dun
On the north side of the basin, virtually opposite the nature centre, stands the House of Dun on a hill. This manor house was built in 1730 for the Erskine family, who lived in it until 1948. in 1980, the house was transferred to the National Trust for Scotland. They opened this impressive house to the public.
Visitors can stroll through the extensive garden, enjoy the view of the basin and search for the hidden symbols of the Jacobites in the impressive interiors of the house.
Opening hours:
Access to the house by guided tour only. First tour at 10.45am, last tour at 2.45pm.
Admission to the house: Adults 17 pounds, parking 5 pounds
Address: Montrose DD10 9LQ
Web: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/montrose-basin/
Accommodation in Montrose
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More InformationFestivals & Culture
Culturally, the small town has two festivals to offer:
Montrose Music Festival
Month: End of May
Official website: www.facebook.com/MontroseMusicFest
LandxSea Film Festival
Month: September
Official site: landxsea.org
Who writes here?
Stephan Goldmann
I am the operator of MyHighlands.de. I visited Scotland for the first time in 1990 and have been travelling there regularly ever since. I have also been learning Gaelic for several years.