ANGUSalive Museums and Galleries

ANGUSalive Museums and Galleries Promoting ANGUSalive Museums & Galleries Behind the scenes there is a wealth of local history, archaeology, natural history and geology. DD11 1PU. DD8 1BB.

We have museums in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, plus galleries in Arbroath and Carnoustie Libraries which have fascinating displays of objects and photographs relating to the life and work in Angus. Our Collections can be searched online at https://angusalive.adlibhosting.com/home

The museums and galleries all all free to enter and have busy diaries of events, temporary exhibitions and family a

ctivities. Opening Hours (1 November 2025 - 31 March 2026)

Signal Tower Museum Arbroath
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10.30am - 4pm
Ladyloan, Arbroath. Tel. 01241 464554
Email [email protected]

Meffan Museum & Art Gallery Forfar
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10.30am - 4pm
20 West High Street, Forfar. Tel. 01307 471771
Email [email protected]

Montrose Museum & Art Gallery
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10.30am - 4pm
Panmure Place, Montrose. DD10 8HF. Tel. 01674 907447
Email [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE LAST ADMISSION IS 3.30pm for all venues. During the Summer (1 April - 31 October) we are open everyday except Tuesday 10.30am - 4pm.

🎨 From Landscape to Canvas: Gallery Tour and Live Demonstration with Victoria WylieJoin us at the Meffan Museum & Art Ga...
01/06/2026

🎨 From Landscape to Canvas: Gallery Tour and Live Demonstration with Victoria Wylie

Join us at the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery for a special afternoon with artist Victoria Wylie on Sunday 7 June, 12–2pm.

Victoria will lead an intimate gallery tour of her current exhibition ‘Beyond the Horizon‘, offering insight into her work, creative process, and the stories behind selected pieces on display. This will be followed by a live painting demonstration, where visitors can watch her techniques unfold in real time and gain a deeper understanding of her artistic approach.

✨ Free entry | No booking required

👉 Plan your visit:
https://angusalive.scot/events/from-landscape-to-canvas/

01/06/2026

🌟Volunteers Week

A huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers!

The call of the seagull is a sound we hear often at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum and you'll see these greedy birds h...
01/06/2026

The call of the seagull is a sound we hear often at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum and you'll see these greedy birds hoping to steal your ice cream down at the harbour.

For superstitious seafarers however these birds had a special significance. Their cries were thought to be the voices of seamen who had lost their lives at sea and therefore it was considered very unlucky to harm them in any way.

Come and find out more about some other fisherfolk beliefs as well as the fascinating story of the Bell Rock lighthouse in our museum. You can even take home your very own wee seagull which we have for sale in our giftshop. We are open daily apart from Tuesday from 10.30-4. we are delighted to welcome your dogs but please leave the seagulls outside!

Latest sneak peek from the new collections store! Recognise any of these old friends?
29/05/2026

Latest sneak peek from the new collections store! Recognise any of these old friends?

🎨 Jacobites Art Club 🎨In anticipation of the upcoming Tartan & Turmoil exhibition, we’re inviting all budding artists an...
26/05/2026

🎨 Jacobites Art Club 🎨

In anticipation of the upcoming Tartan & Turmoil exhibition, we’re inviting all budding artists and their families to join our Jacobite-themed Art Club at Montrose Museum.

Enjoy a fun and creative drop-in session inspired by history, art, and the Jacobite era.

📍 Montrose Museum
📅 Saturday 13 June
🕐 1pm–2pm

No booking required - just drop in and get creative!

Charles Altamont Doyle (1832-1893), famously known as the father of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was the author of the She...
26/05/2026

Charles Altamont Doyle (1832-1893), famously known as the father of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was the author of the Sherlock novels, became a private patient at Sunnyside Royal Asylum on this day in 1885.

Doyle was a passionate and enthusiastic artist from birth till death. However, the ever-growing demands of his job later ruined his career and relationships as he battled poor mental health and alcoholism.

Whilst attending a treatment facility for his alcoholism, Doyle suffered another health impairment - epilepsy.

With many mental health conditions and health issues widely misunderstood at the time, Doyle was later sent to Montrose Royal Asylum where he remained until 1892, passing away only a year later in 1893.

During his time at Montrose Royal Asylum, Doyle continued to produce illustrations and artworks, often recording his experiences in his sketchbook.

In this particular illustration, Doyle depicts a picnic scene at Sunnyside Royal Asylum on 6th June 1889, where he notes "and any nicer sandwiches and beer I never met, and tried to prove".

Doyle often lamented on his treatment at the asylum, and whilst we can neither confirm nor deny his accounts of the story, it is fair to say that Doyle was unfairly incarcerated due to poor medical knowledge of the time.

To learn more about Montrose Royal Asylum/Hospital, please visit Montrose Museum & Art Gallery open Wed-Mon 10:30am-4pm (closed Tuesday). Dog Friendly 🐾 and Free Admission 🎫

Please note that there may be some objects visitors may find disturbing and we ask that you contact us ahead of your visit should you have any concerns.

🎨 From Landscape to Canvas: Talk and DemonstrationJoin us at the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery for a special afternoon wit...
26/05/2026

🎨 From Landscape to Canvas: Talk and Demonstration

Join us at the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery for a special afternoon with artist Victoria Wylie

📆 Sunday 7 June
⏰ 12 noon–2pm.

Victoria will lead an intimate gallery tour, sharing insight into her work, creative process, and the stories behind selected pieces on display. The afternoon will continue with a live painting demonstration, offering visitors the chance to watch her techniques unfold in real time and gain a deeper understanding of her artistic approach.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply curious, this is a unique opportunity to engage directly with a practicing artist, ask questions, and experience creativity up close.

Free admission - all are welcome.

Montrose Museum & Art Gallery are proud to announce that we are the first cat-friendly museum in Angus!🤣 We'd received c...
25/05/2026

Montrose Museum & Art Gallery are proud to announce that we are the first cat-friendly museum in Angus!🤣

We'd received complaints from our neighboring cats about the lack of inclusion in our dog-friendly museums, so we just had to listen! I mean, who could possibly say no to this little face?🐈

This vocal and friendly little fella regularly tries to enter the building with us in the mornings, and here he is sunbathing on the museum ramp!☀

25/05/2026

A new exhibition celebrating local photography will open at the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery this March, showcasing the work of members of Kirriemuir

A question we are often asked at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum is, how did keepers spend their spare time? The keepe...
25/05/2026

A question we are often asked at the Arbroath Signal Tower Museum is, how did keepers spend their spare time? The keepers were resourceful, and when they weren't busy keeping the lights on, they were able to enjoy their hobbies.

They used practical skills in woodwork and metalwork to make small model boats and lighthouses, toys, presents or furniture. Some knitted or made rugs and shoes. There were also cards and music making to help with the isolation. In later years, TV and video players were popular. A television was first installed at the Bell Rock Lighthouse on Saturday, July 27, 1957, and was gifted by the Arbroath Fishermen's Association. Keepers would also have enjoyed sketching and painting the seabirds and creatures found while living surrounded by the sea.

Here at the Signal Tower, our visitors (young and old) love showing off their sketching and drawing skills. So far, we've had some amazing work that we've been able to display, we've got some serious talent walking through the doors. We've got art activities, handling objects, and even a comfy spot for your furry friends 🐶 who are welcome to visit the museum.

To explore the rich history and heritage of Angus, 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 will help keep our ANGUSalive museums shining bright.

Address

Meffan Museum & Art Gallery, 20 West High Street
Forfar
DD81BB

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4pm
Friday 10:30am - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441241464554

Website

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