Arbroath

Captain's log, Sail Day 33 the 2nd of June year 2017. We spent the day in Arbroath, formerly known as Aberbrothock, the place where the Brothock Burn enters the sea, which it still does at Seagate. The abbey is a ruin now but worth a visit as it is made of beautiful local red sandstone. Arbroath Abbey, founded in 1178 had a grant from King William the first to establish a burgh with a port and a weekly market and the rest is history.  It is also famous for "Arbrouth smokies" which are smoke cured haddock sold in pairs, delicious. The smoking is still done in buildings behind the fishermen's cottages and is a protected brand name.

We spent a very interesting hour or two in the Bell Rock Signals museum, which is all about the building of the Bell Rock Lighthouse built 11 miles offshore and designed by Robert Stevenson . I then found a local swimming pool so I had a brisk mile or so walk there and back, it is good to get some exercise after being on a boat for long periods!

We rounded off the evening with a visit to the local Wetherspoons housed in the old Corn Exchange and a very lively pub (with some colourful Scottish language) to be in on a Saturday night!

Here in pictures are the main points about the town and the lifeboat disaster.







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