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Dundee

Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle

Welcome

Sitting on the banks of the River Tay, Broughty Castle is believed to have looked over the land of its namesake suburb since the 15th century.

Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, the castle was originally built to guard the Tay, and used in later centuries against potential threats from France and Germany. A 15th Century coastal fort that saw many battles and sieges, the castle and the local environment was an important part of the area’s defence system. The castle that we see today is the latest rebuild of the fort, dating back to the 19th Century. Entry is free, and the displays inside show what life was like in Broughty Ferry through its history. There is a small gift shop and a café to relax in after exploring what was once a heavily fortified building. You may even catch sight of a dolphin or two!

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The Daily for 2 November, from Scotland with love. Cloud shadows cross a sunlit mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland stretching below
A short drive awayHeather Street FoodA little white horsebox coffee van outside the V&A on Dundee's waterfront, with fresh doughnuts and its own roasted coffee.11 min by roadSee itHeather Street Food

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Close by
  1. Broughty CastleBroughty CastleA castle of 1490 guarding the mouth of the Tay at Broughty Ferry, rebuilt as a Victorian fort, now a free museum.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Bookhouse's grey shopfront, its window dressed with birch trees.The BookhouseA family-run independent bookshop in Broughty Ferry, with signed editions, eight book clubs and author events.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Bruach BarBruach BarUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. Pretty Fly WorkshopPretty Fly WorkshopA jewellery workshop and shop on Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, selling handmade work by Scottish art school graduates.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. The dining room at Collinsons in Broughty Ferry, with blue leather chairs, a long mustard banquette, patterned walls and a bright modern painting.CollinsonsUnder a mile as the crow flies
  6. Broughty Ferry beach curving along the Tay under a big sky.Broughty Ferry BeachA long sandy beach backed by dunes beside Broughty Castle, looking across the Tay to Fife, with seals and wading birds.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
Gracie's On The Go window sign, takeaway and juice bar, striped awning aboveRestaurantsGracie’s0.5 miles
Wooden groyne posts line a sandy beach beyond dune grassesAttractionsBroughty Ferry0.8 miles
The cheese counter at The Cheesery in Dundee, full of cut wedges and whole cheeses with handwritten labels.ShoppingThe Cheesery3.7 miles
Inside Assai Records in Dundee: racks of vinyl round white walls under the shop's sign, with a crate of records on a wooden floor.ShoppingAssai Records3.9 miles
Inside Höfn on Bank Street, Dundee: the counter in front of lit shelves set into a round arch, seen across a wooden table.CafeHöfn3.9 miles
Duck leg with a rich sauce at Daisy Tasker.RestaurantsDaisy Tasker4.0 miles
White food trailer selling donuts, coffee and bagels outside V&A DundeeCafeHeather Street Food4.4 miles
Five bronze penguins on the low wall outside the Steeple Church on the Nethergate, Dundee.AttractionsThe March of the Penguins4.4 miles
The tiered, ribbed concrete walls of a modern museum building curve toward a domed glasshouse and a ship's mast visible along the waterfront.AttractionsV&A Dundee4.5 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle, 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.Bracken Treehouse at Airdit
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Balmullo
  • 7 miles from Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle
Free 8–10 NovA stone and timber house with a dark slated roof and roof windows sits on a lawn, a hot tub and picnic table on the patio.Lindores Lodge
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Newburgh
  • 15 miles from Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle
Free 2–5 NovThe long timber-clad side of the house runs under a slate roof with solar panels, white chairs on the terrace and a clear blue sky.The Glasshouse
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Newburgh
  • 15 miles from Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle
Free 16–19 NovTwo arched glazed doors in a stone wall open onto a paved patio, a rattan table with daffodils and mugs to the right.The Arches
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Newburgh
  • 15 miles from Travel back in time to the Coastal Fort of Broughty Castle
Free 2–4 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in DundeeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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