the gable-enders,
a guide to the best of Montrose and around...

Montrose: John's Guide to Montrose

Click here to view a dynamic map of Montrose

This map will help you find your way about the town, and also help you coming to the Montrose from anywhere in the world....... good luck!

Visiting the Angus town of Montrose is one of the pleasures in life!

It is the most northerly of the Angus coastal towns situated between the mouths of the rivers South and North Esk.

It is a small, picturesque North East of Scotland town with an abundance of history from its colourful past.

At one time it traded regularly with the towns of the Hanseatic League and was, during the 18th century, a major smuggling centre.

The town itself and surrounding locality is very flat and modest in size, making it the ideal place to go for pleasurable and relaxing walks. There is however, the added bonus of some unique and wonderful sights.The focal point of the town is the Town House ("The Ball House"), and Montrose Old Church with its stunning landmark 220ft spire erected in 1834. The skyline of Montrose is dominated by the Steeple, designed by James Gillespie Graham and built between 1832 & 1834.

The Steeple as it is known locally, towers above the south end of the High Street.

There is now a local farmers' market held in front of the Ball House on the first Saturday of the month.... Well worth a visit!

Standing in this area and facing north you will see that the High Street stretches out in front of you, looking as broad as it is long, and is by far the busiest part of Montrose. It is the widest High Street in Scotland with picturesque closes leading to secluded gardens. At first it appears as home to the majority of shops and cafes in the town, however, if you look up you will also discover a collection of fine buildings. The town has a wealth of architecture.

At the very south end of the High Street there is the Library and the northern end narrows into Murray Street which is where you will find a cornucopia of local small businesses.

At the end of Murray Street, on The Mall, you will find Montrose Swimming Pool. It is an excellent facility, being well used by local clubs and holiday makers alike.

If you like to feel the wind in your hair then take a walk down Hume Street, west off the High Street, and not only will you find Tesco's but also the main railway line north to Aberdeen which, with Montrose Station, arrived in 1850. It also goes south to Dundee, Perth, Stirling and Glasgow (Queen Street Station), as well as through Fife and onto Edinburgh.

Montrose is also a stop on the National Cycle Network Route, as well as the last stop of many Scottish Coast to Coast adventures.
At present there are two cycling routes in Montrose.

Most impressive of all is the town's spectacular view of a two-mile tidal lagoon, Montrose Basin, which is considered a nature reserve of international importance. It is also the largest inland salt water basin in the UK.

It now has a wonderful Visitor Centre which took 14 months to build and was officially opened in June 1995.

For more information http://www.montrosebasin.org.uk

The Reserve is managed by the The Scottish Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Management Committee

Well worth a visit!

Heading east off the High Street down what is known affectionately as "The Kirkie Steps" (Churchyard Walk is its official title!) lies the Mid Links. It is here you will find a beautiful open space filled comfortably with parks and gardens, bowling clubs and the town's cricket park, football ground (Links Park), and tennis courts. This area is also home to Montrose Academy with its glowing golden dome and the alladins cave which is Montrose Museum.Pick one of the many narrow streets which head East again and you come to the open, largely grassy areas, also called the "Links", which stretch as far as the dunes.

Go down Traill Drive and you will come to the Montrose Links Golf Courses ( The Medal and the Broomie ). Montrose has the 5th oldest golf course in the world, the Montrose Medal, dating from 1562. It is also a qualifying course for The Open Championship.

The Medal Course at Montrose is a majestic layout in the true traditions of Scottish Links golf and has hosted many important events in its history. http://www.montroselinks.co.uk/

Climb to the other side and before your eyes will emerge Montrose's superb beach. Here are most of the town's camping and caravanning sites, the golf courses, and a range of attractions such as the Traill Pavilion and the Seafront Splash. There is a genuine seaside resort feel to this part of town. It caters marvellously for families with children of all ages. At the end of a hard afternoon building sand castles and tackling arial slides, you can walk back over the dunes and head for the busiest family restaurant in town. If you're not sure which direction, then follow the smelll of the grill and you're sure to find Roo's Leap. http://www.roosleap.com/

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