castle
Glamis Castle
The childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, steeped in legend and set in the scenic Angus region of Scotland.
26 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Arbroath
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Arbroath
Arbroath is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Friockheim, 26km from Glamis Castle.
Arbroath is in Scotland, United Kingdom, with about 24,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Friockheim, about 10 km away.
Arbroath () or Aberbrothock (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Bhrothaig [ˈopəɾ ˈvɾo.ɪkʲ]) is a historic coastal town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. It is the largest town in the council area, with a population of 23,481 in 2022. It lies on the North Sea coast, some 16 miles (26 km) east-northeast of Dundee and 45Read more
miles (72 km) south-southwest of Aberdeen.
There is evidence of Iron Age settlement, but its history as a town began with the founding of Arbroath Abbey in 1178. It grew much during the Industrial Revolution through the flax and then the jute industry and the engineering sector. A new harbour was created in 1839; by the 20th century, Arbroath was one of Scotland's larger fishing ports.
The town is notable for the Declaration of Arbroath and the Arbroath smokie. Arbroath Football Club holds the world record for the number of goals scored in a professional football match: 36–0 against Bon Accord of Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup in 1885.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Arbroath?
Within an hour or so of Arbroath: Glamis Castle (26 km), V&A Dundee (26 km), St Andrews (28 km), Anstruther Fish Bar (39 km).
Are there any good drives near Arbroath?
The nearest famous roads are Cairnwell Pass, The Royal Mile and The Lecht (A939 Old Military Road).
Where is Arbroath?
Arbroath is in Scotland, United Kingdom, about 10 km from Friockheim.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 23,640
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 56.5632, -2.5874
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Arbroath
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
V&A Dundee
Scotland's first design museum in a striking Kengo Kuma waterfront building, celebrating the country's rich design heritage.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
St Andrews
Historic university town and home of golf, with a ruined cathedral, medieval castle and the world-famous Old Course links.
28 km · about 30 min drive
restaurant
Anstruther Fish Bar
Multiple UK Fish and Chip Shop of the Year winner on the harbourfront of the East Neuk's prettiest fishing town, frying haddock landed along the Fife coast. Eat on the sea wall watching the boats.
39 km · about 45 min drive
castle
Dunnottar Castle
A ruined medieval fortress on a dramatic rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland.
49 km · about 55 min drive
film location
Dunnottar Castle (inspiration for Brave)
The clifftop ruin near Stonehaven was a visual inspiration for Pixar's Brave and features in Zeffirelli's Hamlet.
49 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Scone Palace
The Perthshire palace beside Moot Hill, where Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny.
55 km · about 65 min drive
castle
Tantallon Castle
A vast red curtain wall on a clifftop in East Lothian facing the Bass Rock, the last of Scotland's great courtyard castles.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Arbroath
- 62 kmCairnwell PassThe highest main road in Britain at 670m, where the A93 crosses the Grampians at Glenshee between Braemar and the ski centre. The famously steep Devil's Elbow hairpins lie just below the summit.
- 62 kmCairnwell Pass (A93, Glenshee)The highest public road in Britain at 670m, climbing the Devil's Elbow route through Glenshee to Braemar.
- 77 kmArthur's Seat, EdinburghAncient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
- 77 kmCalton HillAn accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
- 78 kmThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
- 80 kmQueen's View, Loch TummelA famous viewpoint on the B8019 looking west along Loch Tummel to the cone of Schiehallion.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
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