Find your way around the East Coast Oil Town
and Ancient Royal Burgh of Montrose
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As well as Montrose itself, the street map covers the villages of Ferryden and Hillside. To order by post direct from the publisher, please click on the 'Map Ordering' button on the left.
Montrose is an attractive coastal town in the County of Angus, midway between Dundee and Aberdeen. Although located on a tongue of land between the North Sea and the Montrose Basin, it is a remarkably spacious and well laid-out town, centred on its wide High Street (see photo on left). In 2001, it had 10,845 residents, but Montrose has been described as the 'aristocrat' of Angus, with the 'air and aspect and assurance of a much greater place'.
Montrose is an ancient Royal Burgh with a charter granted by David I; it is recorded that the Danes raided the community as early as 980. Through trading income, it evolved into the orderly and well-built town we see today. Several street names, such as Baltic Street, America Street and Meridian Street, bear witness to past trading activities. As well as being a popular holiday resort with a long, sandy beach and well-known links golf courses, it has a range of industries and a North Sea oil service base beside the estuary of the Rover South Esk.
The layout of the town centre reflects the Scottish 'herringbone' tradition with narrow closes and long gardens (riggs) at right angles to the High Street which runs due north-south. Parallel to the High Street, to the east, is a parallel 'green belt' of parks and open spaces - the Mid Links - a most attractive asset which runs almost the full length of the town (see lower photograph on left for an impression of the quality of the residential setting). Beyond the Mid Links is another belt of development beyond which are the wide open-spaces of the seaside links, the recently upgraded promenade and the beach.
The River South Esk was, until fairly recently, divided into two channels by Rossie Island, but the southern channel was infilled in the 1970s to create space for the oil supply base which now extends to the conservation village of Ferryden. The red-brick railway viaduct over the southern channel still remains, while the railway bridge over the remaining northern channel is notable as having been the replacement for a defective structure which was designed by Sir Thomas Bouch, the engineer responsible for the ill-fated first Tay Bridge at Dundee. The adjacent concrete suspension road bridge is also something of an engineering curiousity!
The Town House - This stately building, with an arcaded piazza and dating from 1763, projects into the east side of the High Street.
Old Parish Church - The tall steeple of the Old Parish Church (photograph on right), 220 feet high, is a landmark for many miles around, constructed in 1832 to replace the original belfry. The large church behind, built to seat 2,500 people, dates from 1791.
Town House of the Earls of Montrose - The Job Centre at the south end of the High Street conceals an interesting history, for it is situated on the site of the original castle of William the Lion, destroyed by William Wallace in 1297. Parts of the existing building date back at least 400 years. Several other town houses of the local lairds still remain in the closes and courtyards behind the High Street.
Tourist Information Centre - Situated in a kiosk in Bridge Street, beyond the south end of the High Street, is Montrose's tourist information centre. This is the place to gather further information on the local area, together with assistance in finding accommodation, discovering about local events, etc.
Leisure and Recreation
Mid Links - As mentioned above, the Mid Links is a most attractive strip of open space running north-south through the town, containing mature trees, gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts and children's play facilities. At the north end are an attractive curling pond and the rare sight (nowadays) of a paddling pool.
Golf Courses and Beach - The seaside links at Montrose accommodates two 18-hole golf courses, one of championship standard. Nearby are a pitch and putt course, a touring caravan site and a stretch of attractively refurbished seaside promenade, known as the 'Seafront Splash'. Unfortunately the sand dunes at this point are being severely eroded by the tides; however, the beautiful sandy beach still merits a visit!
R P A Smith's series of local maps also covers all the main towns and villages in Angus and Kincardineshire. For further information on other communities as available, please click the relevant buttons on the upper left.
R P A Smith's range of Street Plans covers the following towns and villages in Angus and Kincardineshire:
ARBROATH
Auchenblae
Birkhill
BRECHIN
Broughty Ferry
CARNOUSTIE
Drumlithie
DUNDEE
Edzell
Ferryden
FORFAR
Friockheim
Gourdon
Hillside
Inverbervie
Johnshaven
KIRRIEMUIR
Laurencekirk
Letham
Lunanhead
MONIFIETH
MONTROSE
Muchalls
Newtonhill
Newtyle
Portlethen
St Cyrus
STONEHAVEN
