Angus Archives

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Angus Archives

Angus Archives is a treasure trove of 800 years of the history of Angus and its people.

Our collections cover Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Monifieth, Montrose, and the rural parishes of the County of Angus. Angus Archives houses and preserves the area's written, printed and photographic history covering the historic burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth, the villages of Edzell, Letham, Friockeim and Newtyle, and the

wider County of Angus. We hold burgh records and Angus Council records including school and poor relief records, as well as private records such as diaries, legal documents and plans. Whether you are a professional researcher, or an amateur family history enthusiast, you are welcome to visit the archives where you can search all of our resources free of charge. Unfortunately we cannot undertake research requests via Facebook – please give us a call to chat through your requirements.

26/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows the the interior of the Fairway Garage 🚗, Carnoustie. Several vintage automobiles from the late 1920s and 1930s are parked throughout the space. Six men are posed across the garage floor, likely the mechanics, drivers, or owners of the establishment. Photograph c.1930.

Angus Archives Ref: N1/24/182

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22/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows the staff of David Y. Walker’s butcher shop at the corner of 1 Millgate Loan and West Grimsby, Arbroath. The image features a young girl on the left, a clerkess and a dog by a hanging carcass in the doorway, and three men in striped aprons. The man on the far right is identified as Edwin Smith, a casualty of World War I. Photograph c.1900.

Angus Archives Ref: 747/18/456

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19/05/2026

📚 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 📚

Are you interested in local and family history? Angus Archives is looking for volunteers to assist with indexing the Angus entries within the Calendars of Confirmation for Scotland.

These fascinating volumes contain extracts from last wills and testaments and are an invaluable resource for anyone researching family history.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:

🔍 Gain hands-on archive/work experience
🧬 Help make family history research more accessible for everyone
🤝 Meet like-minded volunteers

Volunteers can attend during our opening hours:

Monday: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 10am – 4pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2pm
Thursday: 2pm – 4pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm

If you would like to find out more or express an interest in volunteering, please contact Angus Archives:

📧 angusarchives@angusalive.scot
📞 01241 465563

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15/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows a street promotion in Forfar. A man is dressed as a nurse pushing a pram to advertise a Tiny Tots Orchestra concert at the Reid Hall. Captured outside Sturrock & Son near Forfar Parish Church, the pram features the slogan: "The Rain 🌧 would spoil our Perms, But Oh Boy! Hear our Percussion 🥁." Photograph c. 1934.

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/33/709

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12/05/2026

Have you visited our new search room yet?

Whether you’re researching family history, exploring local heritage, or simply curious about the treasures held in the archives, our welcoming new space is ready for you to visit.

Come along and discover history up close at Angus Archives in Arbroath Library.

Opening time:

Monday: 10am to 4pm
Tuesday: 10am to 4pm
Wednesday: 10am to 2pm
Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm

📞 01241 465563
📧 angusarchives@angusalive.scot

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08/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows children playing with calves 🐮 in Glen Esk. Introducing children to livestock through "chore play" was a vital way for families to pass down the skills of the Angus Glens. Photograph c. 1910-1920.

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/49/26

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07/05/2026

🎉 Welcome Back, Arbroath Library & Angus Archives! 📚

This week we officially reopened Arbroath Library & Angus Archives following a major refurbishment project and it was fantastic to welcome the community back through the doors.

Visitors explored the refreshed spaces, discovered the new Angus Archives search room and enjoyed a range of activities throughout the day.

A big highlight was the brilliant LEGO Library 🧱 created by Craig Pearson, now on display in the Children’s Library.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and support during the refurbishment works and well done to Libraries & Archives team for all their hard work in bringing the revitalised space to life. 💛

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06/05/2026

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀

Celebrate the reopening of Angus Archives with us on 𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 and discover a special showcase of some of our most fascinating historical treasures.

Step into the past and explore remarkable items connected to Arbroath Abbey, Brechin Cathedral, Robert Burns, Mary Queen of Scots, and the infamous Forfar Witch Trials.

📜 Free to attend
📅 6 May – 20 May 2026

Don’t miss this chance to uncover the stories that shaped Angus—right here in your archives.

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05/05/2026

𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 & 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝘆!

We’re delighted to welcome the community back to Arbroath Library and Angus Archives! Come along on Wednesday 6 May, between 10am and 2pm, and celebrate with us at our re-opening day.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻:

📜Treasures of the Archives – 10am–2pm
👶 Bookbug Session with Bookbug – 1:15pm–1:45pm
💙 Macmillan Cancer Support Services drop-in – 10am–2pm
📚 Mobile Libraries & Home Delivery drop-in – 10am–2pm
🧱 Lego Library…in the Library – 10am–2pm
❤️ Chest Heart Stroke Health Check drop-in – 10am–1pm
💻 The Learning Shop – 10am–2pm

Whether you’re coming for stories, support, or just to see the refreshed spaces, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome you back through the doors!

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01/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows three cars staged outside the Rosemont Furniture Saloon, New Wynd, Montrose, during the Montrose and District Motor Club’s all-night trial, held over the weekend of 26–27 March, 1955.

The demanding 200-mile route through Angus and Perthshire tested precision and nocturnal navigation, leaving several teams off-course. In a tight finish decided by a single point, David Ayton (Brechin) won in a Daimler, followed by runner-up J.B. Stewart (Arbroath) in a Riley. 🚘

Angus Archives Ref: 1020/3/2608/6

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28/04/2026

Address

Arbroath

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

01307 468644

Website

https://linktr.ee/angusalive

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