Late June 2019 – Arbroath and Dundee

23rd June – Sunday – To Arbroath

We had to leave Port Edgar due to the impending flotilla, so another early start.  We dropped the lines at 5.30am on a cold and misty morning.  We were so glad that our trip up the Firth of Forth was blessed with sunshine, as the trip out was not so clear.

The sun appeared in the afternoon as did the swell.  Thank goodness for seasick pills.  10 hours later we arrived in Arbroath.  There is only 1 and a bit knots of tide around this area of the North Sea, so we made good time, despite the many lobster pots especially along the recommended bearing of 299 degrees into the port. Grrr.

Arbroath harbour entrance is well serviced by the best leading lights we have seen.  They are easily visible from outside and need to be lined up for the correct entry positioning.

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Leading Lights at Arbroath

Fleur in the neat little harbour.

The harbourmaster shouted from the quayside and pointed us to a hammer-head mooring.  Prime for us to be rafted against soon after, a nice Belgian Couple.  A Dutch boat then arrived on the next pontoon.  We have noticed many European sailors so far this year.

24th June – Monday

Horrid rainy day.  Mick went for diesel between the showers and returned with these.

Arbroath Smokies.  Smoked haddock with a delightfully delicate flavour.  Mick’s mum Toni would have loved them.

Later we had a walk around and found the Signal Tower museum, which is free but it was too near closing time.

We also found Arbroath Abbey, now managed by Historic Scotland.

25th June – Tuesday – To Dundee by train

As my Edinburgh expeditions were cut short I was determined to visit the new V&A museum in Dundee.  The trains are every 15 minutes and cost £11 return for two with our Two Together rail cards.

Swish signage outside

The V&A museum opened in Sept 2018 to display the history of design in Scotland.  The exterior is impressive.

The vast interior takes your breath.  The ground floor is mainly cafe and shop space.  The First floor holds the exhibition spaces.  The Scottish Design Galleries were a treat for me as I am a Charles Rennie Macintosh fan.  The highlight was the restored Oak Room from Miss Cranston’s Ingram Street Tearooms.  I never thought I would get to see a completed version.  The guide told me it is 92% original.  It provides an oasis of calm within the busy building.

The V&A Dundee has been heavily criticised, for its lack of exhibition space.  But the building itself is worth seeing.  We did not go into the special exhibition on Video Gaming, which takes up the other half of the first floor space.  It was what we expected.  We were stopped on the way out by a lady carrying out a survey.  She was open to suggestions and it appeared people would like to see more exhibits in the other open spaces to fully utilise the building.  Shop, restaurant and cafe, the obvious money spinners, did dominate the open spaces.   But overall we really enjoyed it.

We briefly visited the Museum of Contemporary Art, emperors new clothes spring to mind.  Our shortest museum visit ever.  After lunch we went to the McManus Art Gallery and Museum.

A beautifully restored museum in the Gothic style.  Several large halls of Dundee related items, educating us on the history of the town.  Video gaming is big business here.

We later walked passed the D.C. Thomson building famous for the Beano, Bunty and many others.

We returned to the boat museumed out.  A very enjoyable if tiring day in a proud, elegant old city.

Sailors Port Info

Arbroath marina is located in the centre of town.  Excellent leading lights aid safe passage into the harbour.  £25 per night.  £10 deposit for electronic fob for gates.  No wifi.  Facilities located in the building at the opposite side of the marina were adequate.  Individual bathrooms with WC and shower.  Lidl, Morrisons near the marina, ASDA a 20 min walk.  Small shopping centre.  10 minute walk to train station.  Many, many Arbroath Smokie outlets. Yum.

Next stop Peterhead.