Montrose
The coastal town of Montrose is situated between Dundee and Aberdeen, and boasts a wide, sandy beach along with an attractive town centre. With a pleasant old centre and popular visitor attractions such as an interesting museum and art gallery, Montrose is a great little town to visit. Nature lovers are attracted to this area thanks to the fact that it sits on the edge of a virtually landlocked two-mile square mud lagoon known as the Basin, which is a nature reserve home to many wildfowl and wading birds.
Wildlife Centre
A mile along the A92 from Montrose, visitors can find the Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre, which is fully equipped with high-powered telescopes, binoculars, remote control video cameras and a range of bird hides. This little haven has made Montrose an extremely popular area with birdwatchers, who regularly frequent the centre to spend the day watching the native wildlife and birds in the Basin. The reserve is open all year round to the public, and the resident ranger at the centre takes visitors on regular guided walks around the whole of the Basin.
Seaside
Summer visitors to Montrose will love the wide, sandy beach and fabulous seashore close to the town. Follow Marine Avenue from the museum through the sand dunes and to the beautiful, wide beach which is overlooked by a quaint white lighthouse. Further to the north visitors can find the cliffs of St. Cyrus, which during the summer time become home to a bustling colony of sea birds. The beach is an excellent destination for family days out, and is a main attraction for families, couples and even singles looking for a holiday in Scotland during the summer months.
Other Visitor Attractions
The town of Montrose may be small, but that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty for its visitors to see and do. Along with the beach and the wildlife reserve, visitors are also welcome in the museum and art gallery, which displays interesting history about the town and its surrounding areas. The Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre also makes for a great day out. The town is the location for Britain’s first operational military airfield, and the Heritage Centre aims to show the human side of the Air Stations, displaying a collection of modern photographs, memorabilia and artefacts which tell the history of the airfield and the men and women who served there.
If you visit Montrose on the first Saturday of the month, you will be able to visit the very popular Farmers Market which is held in the town centre and attracts a large variety of different stallholders selling local produce and handmade goods. Those looking to explore the surrounding area can visit neighbouring Ferryden, a picturesque former village which is situated on the southern side of the river South Esk. Montrose and Ferryden are on opposing sides of the river, but linked by a bridge.
With plenty of interesting things to do and see in Montrose, why not add it to your list of planned summer road trips?