Area Programmes

This underground relic of the Cold War is one of only two refurbished ROC posts open for access in Scotland and includes a collection of its original equipment and instrumentation.

A body known as the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO) was set up in 1957 to collate the information received from the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) to warn the population of any impending air attack.  Had the UK some under nuclear attack, a network of some 1500 small 3-man underground bunkers (approximately 1 every 12 miles) manned by thousands of trained Observers would come into their own.  Arbroath's was built in 1958.

The ROC posts were designed to monitor nuclear bursts and subsequent fall-out on the United Kingdom.  The bunkers were designed to withstand a blast pressure of 10 psi.  In reporting the data to the UKWMO, the valuable information would have helped construct a picture of the efects on the country and been used to assist the survivors.  Changes in technology and world politics led to Parliament announcing the stand down of the ROC in September 1991. 

Booking Information:

Pre-booking is essential.  Tour times on Saturday and Sunday:  13.00, 14.00, 15.00 and 16.00

• Ring 07791 395976 to reserve a place

Access is via a 15ft vertical steel ladder down a narrow shaft.  Viewing is restricted to 8 people at a time and tours will be conducted by ex-ROC personnel.

Regrettably this event is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties or who are uncomfortable in confined spaces.  Children must be twelves years of age or above.  Limited toilet facilities.

(From Arbroath take the A92 dual carriage way towards Dundee. Take 1st exit at the McDonalds restaurant roundabout. Turn first right a few hundred yards on between Presentation Products Factory and Elliot Caravan Site. Go to the end of this private road and take the right fork of the farm track. - 50 yards up on the right - drive into the gated compound)

Parking is available in a public car park located behind the buildings (Market Muir Car Park). Approaching from Brechin Road, turn right onto Market Street, past the Court which sits high up on your left, take the first left and head towards the car park.

Forfar Sheriff Court is a ten minute walk from the town centre.

Hospitalfield House is built of red sandstone blocks and decorated with beautifully detailed carvings and stonework.  The original construction of fieldstone and lime mortar walls can still be seen on the South Wing where the lime-harl is still visible. 

There are three specific features to this beautiful building; the North Wing was originally constructed in the early 14th Century and subsequently upgraded twice, firstly in the 18th Century and laterally in the 19th Century when it was incorporated into the mansion-house and now forms the Picture Gallery; the Central section, which is the earliest part of the building but was subsequently changed during the 16th and 17th Centuries; and finally the South Wing that was built in the 17th Century as a self contained family unit of the large house. The grandeur of this house has to be seen to understand the sheer beauty and detail within the carvings, painstakingly produced, on the surrounding walls. 

www.hospitalfield.org.uk

Visitors are free to walk around inside the house and the gardens.

Located on the Westway, 500 metres from the junction with the A92.  Turn down the tree lined drive.  Parking on the driveway, please park with care so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic.

Disabled access limited to ground floor.

Category B listed large three-storey mansion house, square plan with open court and stables at the rear. It dates from 1790 and was by James Playfair. David Bryce remodelled it in 1854-62. Within the south wing are remains of a tower house dating from 15th century. 

Maximum of 25 spaces on each tour.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Opening Time:

Sunday 6 September by pre-booked tour only at 15.00 and 16.15 (max of 25 spaces per tour). 

Call 01674 810209 to reserve place/s on a tour.

Situated to the South East of Brechin near the village of Farnell.  Three access gates:  one Brechin side, one by Farnell and one via Bridge of Dun, Montrose.

Disabled access is limited to the ground floor only (approx half the tour).

Montrose Museum was one of the first purpose built museums in Scotland. It was founded in 1836 by the local Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society.  The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1841 and it opened to the public in 1842. 

It is home to Inchbrayock Pictish stones, bronze age swords, a local history for Montrose, Montrose silver, the Jacobites, a local history of shipping and whaling, both import and export trade, the jute industry, and the natural history of animals from this part of country.

SAM Event - There's a Time and a Place ... Montrose Time Line
For Scottish Archaeology Month 2009 Montrose Museum is holding a Time Line display covering events and exhibiting artefacts from the Stone Age to the 20th Century, illustrating the rich and varied history of the town and surrounding area. 

The museum is located on Panmure Street, which is close to the town centre.  There is only a 30 minute parking limit if parking on the High Street.  There is a long stay public car park on Baltic Street (behind the museum) and free unlimited parking on streets around the museum. 

Pictavia visitor centre tells the story of Scotland’s ancient Pictish tribes, who roamed Angus over around thousand years ago. They left their legacy in the many Pictish stones that can be seen located throughout Angus. These carved stones have various pictures including birds, other animals, symbols and warriors. The centre allows an insight into many aspects of their lives including the battles, music and art.

www.pictavia.org.uk

Interactive touch-screen technology, face painting, stone rubbing, dressing-up box and a gift shop adjacent at the Brechen Castle Centre.

The Signal Tower is a category A listed building in a group with the Bell Rock Lighthouse and the entrance lodges to the tower. The group listing marks the functional relationship between the buildings and the history of which is on display in the museum located within the Signal Tower.

The museum houses the later 19th century dioptic apparatus with Fresnel lenses which served as the lighthouse’s source of illumination until its de-manning in 1988.

The Signal Tower and twin lodges were built in 1813. The tower is a 4-storey castellated tower rising from the centre of a 2-storey house. A flagpole and signal ball crowns the tower. The two classical lodges flank the entrance to the Signal Tower.

The museum galleries will be open as usual but Doors Open Day will allow access to the tower at the top of the Signal Tower. This is accessed by a spiral stair and steep ladder and will be done in small groups accompanied by a member of staff.

Each tour of the top of the Signal Tower will last approximately 25 minutes.  Visitors must be able to use steep stairs to gain access to the top of the tower. 

 For further information and booking for the upper tower tour please contact the museum directly on 01241 875598.

Disabled access to ground floor only.  Loop system at reception. Toilet facilities are on the first floor.
Limited parking on site.  More parking available by the harbour, approx 250 metres from the museum.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk - view from top of the circular stairs downwards.