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The white Signal Tower building and its courtyard by Arbroath harbour.
Angus

Signal Tower Museum

The shore station of 1813 for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, by Arbroath harbour, now a museum of the lighthouse, the town and its fishing.

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Welcome

By the harbour at Arbroath stands a handsome white building with a tall round tower rising from its courtyard.

It was built in 1813 as the shore station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, standing on its reef far out to sea, and for more than a century it was the lighthouse's link with land: the keepers' families lived here, and signals passed between the tower and the rock.

The light was run from here until 1955, and since 1974 the building has been the town's museum. It tells the story of the great lighthouse on the rock, and of Arbroath itself: its fishing and its smokies, its trade and its people.

The museum is free, and the harbour, the smokehouses and the promenade are on its doorstep.

Round the cornerE&O FishA fishmonger and smokehouse at the foot of Arbroath, smoking Arbroath smokies and selling fish in season across its counter.1 min by roadSee itServer holding a lobster behind a fish counter with chalkboard menus
Before you go

Free.

Open from Wednesday to Monday from April to October, and Friday to Monday in winter; its site has the hours.

Where
Ladyloan, by Arbroath harbour, DD11 1PU.
Run by
ANGUSalive.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
10.30am–4pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
10.30am–4pm
Thursday
10.30am–4pm
Friday
10.30am–4pm
Saturday
10.30am–4pm
Sunday
10.30am–4pm
Where it is

By the harbour at the south end of Arbroath.

Close byArbroath.
  1. Arbroath HarbourArbroath HarbourThe harbour of the smokie, beside the tower.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Grilled fish, souvlaki and pitta on blue gingham at Andreou's, Arbroath.Andreou's BistroUnder a mile2 min by road
  3. Café worker serves a slice of cream cake with berry drizzleVin-TealiciousUnder a mile2 min by road
  4. Arbroath AbbeyArbroath AbbeyThe abbey where the Declaration of Arbroath was sealed in 1320.Under a mile3 min by road
  5. The row of sandstone cottages that house the St Vigeans stones.St Vigeans MuseumThirty-eight Pictish stones in a village north of the town.2 miles7 min by road
Directions
Server holding a lobster behind a fish counter with chalkboard menusShoppingE&O Fish0.2 miles
The navy corner front of the Port Kitchen on Keptie Street, Arbroath.RestaurantsThe Port Kitchen0.6 miles
The old stone smokehouse of Arbroath Fisheries with its orange doors on Seagate.ShoppingArbroath Fisheries0.6 miles
Bar shelves stocked with wine and spirits above illuminated fridges of soft drinks and beerRestaurantsCopper Oven0.6 miles
Red sandstone cliffs meet a rocky shore beneath a partly cloudy sky, calm turquoise sea stretching to the horizon.WalksArbroath Cliffs1.4 miles
Wooden boardwalk with railings leads through dunes towards the seaAttractionsSeaton Cliffs1.8 miles
Ruined harbour walls enclose a rocky cove below a clifftop stone bothyWalksAuchmithie and the Ethie Cliffs4.2 miles
The painted sign of the East Scryne Fruit farm shop and tea room.CafeEast Scryne Fruit5.4 miles
Sourdough and rye bread in a wooden box beside butter quenelles on slateRestaurantsGordon's Restaurant & Rooms6.0 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the museum, and when each is next free.

The black timber cabin's exterior, with a chimney above the roofline and a freestanding bath standing on the decking below.Airdit
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Angus
  • 19 miles from the Signal Tower
Free 25–27 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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