Originally built in 1394, Arbroath Harbour was formerly an important trading port for north-east Scotland, with destinations in Scandinavia and as far afield as North America. Rebuilt in 1734 following a storm, the modern harbour is still very much a working port, with a small fleet of fishing boats and a boat-building yard still in existence.
Arbroath Harbour is probably most famously known for that white fish delicacy, the 'Smokie'. Renowned as being 'Food for the Gods', this culinary treat consists of haddock smoked over a hardwood fire. If you'd like to dine 'al fresco', then there are plenty of shops that sell the famous 'Smokie', not to mention the traditional 'fish and chips' that is also available.
For those who believe in catching their own dinner, it is possible to charter a boat to test your skill (or luck) in catching a white fish supper. Similarly, the harbour boasts a new marina, and is a popular destination for yachts.
Near the harbour is the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum. This was built in 1813 as the shore station for the Bell Rock lighthouse, and was erected by Robert Stevenson in the years up to 1811, to warn mariners of the notorious rocks that lie 12 miles south-east of Arbroath. This was the first time anyone had ever built a lighthouse on a rock that was submerged at every high tide, and the construction of the 115ft high structure marked the pinnacle of the lighthouse-building achievements of the Stevenson family.
