ANGUSalive Museums and Galleries

23/06/2026

Aye aye me hearties 🏴‍☠️

Join us at Signal Tower Museum on 18 July for Pirate Fun Day.

⏰ 11:00 -15:00

Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed pirate and we will have a pirate trail, arts and craft activities and outdoor games.

Children and their families welcome. Drop in, no booking required.

23/06/2026

Any Outlander fans looking for a fantastic afternoon event this August?

In conjunction with the upcoming Tartan & Turmoil exhibition at the Montrose Museum, join Scott Kyle for My Outlandish Story at The Montrose Playhouse!

Join us for an afternoon with award-winning actor, producer, and author Scott Kyle as he shares stories from behind the scenes of Outlander, Kajaki, The Angels’ Share and Billy & Tim. Scott’s life story is as compelling as the roles he’s known for, and he’ll also take us on a journey from foster care to international screens, creative stages and global audiences. Afterwards, enjoy a wee dram with Scott, courtesy of The Gin Bothy and the chance to speak with Scott and purchase a signed copy of his book, “It’s Not Where You Start.”

The Montrose Playhouse and ANGUSalive are proud to present this event in collaboration with the Bothy Distillery. Event will be from 13:00-15:00 on Saturday 8 August at the Montrose Playhouse. Find out more and order your tickets here:

https://angusalive.scot/events/my-outlandish-story/

22/06/2026

Throughout the history of the Bell Rock lighthouse, this iconic tower has inspired countless individuals, including Scottish Victorian author and artist RM Ballantyne, who aptly described it as 'a light in a dark place.'
RM Ballantyne, a Scottish Victorian children's author and artist, was one such person who spent two unforgettable weeks living there whilst researching his book The Lighthouse. The reason he stayed there was all down to a coconut!
Whilst writing his most famous book, Coral Island he made a mistake. He mistakenly referenced a coconut as to being easily pierceable. From then on, he made it a point to gather firsthand experience for his writing.

His journey to the Bell Rock was arduous, involving a 2am departure from Arbroath and a precarious climb up the 25-step metal ladder at low tide. In a previous post you can see the grand library in which he stayed, normally used to receive the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouse Board.

During his time on the Bell Rock, Ballantyne enjoyed painting and sketching, musical evenings in which William Wither (lighthouse keeper) would play the fiddle and accordion and share the coffee essence he had brought, with the keepers.

Here at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum we are delighted to have on display pieces from a crockery set that was used on the Bell Rock lighthouse. Perhaps RM Ballantyne, Joseph Agnew, William Wither and David Laidlaw actually drank their coffee out of these very cups whilst lamenting about their day and the forthcoming night.

To be inspired by the Bell Rock lighthouse and the Signal Tower, visit us at the museum from Wednesdays to Mondays (closed Tuesdays) between 10:30am and 4:00pm, with last admission at 3:30pm. We kindly request donations, which support the maintenance of our wonderful ANGUSalive museums. Free admission and dogs are very welcome to join you on your visit 🐾

22/06/2026

✨ Final day to experience Beyond the Horizon ✨

After an incredible run, Beyond the Horizon comes to a close at 4pm today. If you haven’t visited yet, or you’ve been meaning to come back, don't miss you last opportunity to experience it.

📍 Don’t miss your chance:
https://angusalive.scot/events/beyond-the-horizon/

21/06/2026

18/06/2026

When was the last time you sent – or received – a holiday postcard?

Before social media and instant online messaging, sending postcards to friends and family back home used to be an essential part of being on holiday, even if they often didn’t arrive before the sender had returned home.

We have a wide range of postcards for sale here at Arbroath Signal Tower Museum and this summer you can have a go at designing your own for our I ❤️ Angus Summer Postcard Competition.

Wish you were here!

Find out more with a visit, we are open every day apart from Tuesdays from 10:30 until 4pm, with last admissions at 3:30pm. Free admission, donations are welcome and go towards the upkeep of ANGUSalive Museums and Galleries.
Dogs are welcome within the museum too 🐾🐾
We look forward to welcoming you on your visit.

17/06/2026

⏳ Only 5 days left to explore Beyond the Horizon!

Don’t miss your chance to experience this captivating exhibition before it closes.

Whether you’ve been meaning to visit or are looking for something inspiring to do this week, now’s the time!

📍 Plan your visit and find out more:
https://angusalive.scot/events/beyond-the-horizon/

Bring a friend, spread the word, and make sure you don’t miss out! 👀

17/06/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Discover the untold story of Angus and the Jacobites in our major new exhibition

Tartan & Turmoil: The Angus Jacobite Story
📍Montrose Museum
📅 18 July to 23 November 2026.

Step into a world of intrigue, loyalty and rebellion as you follow the Jacobite cause through Montrose, Arbroath, Brechin, Forfar and the Angus Glens. Explore treasures linked to Stuart kings, personal letters from Angus rebels, rare weaponry and fascinating everyday objects that reveal the lives of those who risked everything for the Jacobite cause.

Featuring remarkable objects from the Angus Collections alongside loans from leading national institutions, this is a unique opportunity to uncover Angus's vital role in one of Scotland's most dramatic chapters of history.

✨ Special Event ✨

Scott Kyle - My Outlandish Story
📍 Montrose Playhouse
📅 Saturday 8 August, 1pm

Join award-winning actor, producer and author Scott Kyle for My Outlandish Story at The Montrose Playhouse. Best known for his role in Outlander, Scott will share stories from behind the scenes of his career, his inspiring personal journey, and enjoy a chat and a wee dram with guests courtesy of The Bothy Distillery.

Step into a world of intrigue, loyalty, and rebellion at Montrose Museum, as the pivotal role Angus played in the Jacobite cause is revealed. From the

15/06/2026

Hey boat lovers! Are you obsessed with fishing boats and their super cool registration numbers? Then, you need to drop anchor at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum.

We have some wonderful model boats on display in our Fishing Industry Cottage. AH.38 Endeavor was built in 1960 and the owners were Ian and William Swankie. The Endeavour was originally a Seine Netter, this model shows the vessel's later working life as a trawler. AH184 is the Compass Rose, a Seine Netter build c1950. The one to three letters at the beginning of the code represent the Port of Registration, a boat registered in Arbroath displays AH. The numbers following the letters make up the vessel's specific registration number within that port's fleet.

We have many different boats and trawlers for sale in the Beacon Gallery and Shop, which would make a perfect gift for the boat enthusiast in your life.

To find out more about boats and fishing visit us at the museum from Wednesdays to Mondays (closed Tuesdays) from 10:30-4pm with last admission at 3:30pm. Dogs are welcome. We appreciate your donations, as they help keep our museums shipshape. We look forward to welcoming you to our museum.

15/06/2026

This Week. Forfar Witch Walks.

There are still plenty of spaces for both Wednesday and Thursdays Forfar Witch Walks. Join Visitor Advisor and local witch trial expert Shaun on a guided tour of Forfar and learn about the history of the Forfar Witch Trials.

Tours start at 6pm and are done by 7pm with refreshments available to all.

Book Online at: https://angusalive.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173679540/events/428832440.

Or you can book in person at the Meffan Museum.

The Forfar Witches Story: A Guided Walk. The Forfar Witch Trials took place between 1661-1663 and involved 42 local people who were imprisoned and tortured on suspicion of witchcraft, 22 women were found guilty of the crime and executed over the three-year period.