Begin your second day at Arbroath Signal Tower Museum, beside the town’s picturesque harbour.

Built in 1813, the Signal Tower was once the shore station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse and home to the lighthouse keepers and their families. Today, the museum shares the remarkable story of the lighthouse’s construction, the people who maintained it and life at the shore station.

Discover how engineer Robert Stevenson overcame the challenge of building a lighthouse on Inchcape Reef, 11 miles offshore. Displays also explore Arbroath’s fishing and maritime heritage, including the traditions behind the world-famous Arbroath Smokie.

The Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages house further exhibitions, audiovisual displays, quizzes and children’s activities. A virtual tour offers another way to discover the tower’s story without climbing its 70 steps.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday until the end of October. From November to March, it moves to its winter opening schedule and is open from Friday to Monday. Check current opening times before travelling.

Travel to Angus Archives, based within Arbroath Library, and uncover more of the area’s written and photographic history.

Covering around 800 years, the collections tell the stories of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose, Monifieth and rural communities across Angus. They include original documents, historic photographs, local history books, family histories, maps, building plans, transcripts and research files.

If you are tracing your family history, you can explore census records, Old Parish Registers, surname indexes and other research resources. The knowledgeable archive team can help you identify useful local and national sources.

Angus Archives is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm, and Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. If you have a particular subject or family connection to explore, contact the team before your visit so they can help you make the most of your time.

Enjoy lunch at The Bell Rock Restaurant on Ladyloan, close to Arbroath Harbour and the Signal Tower Museum.

The restaurant is known for freshly cooked fish and chips made with quality ingredients. It is also a great place to try the world-famous Arbroath Smokie, served grilled, battered or breaded.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from noon to 8pm. Its lunchtime buffet is available between noon and 2pm and has been featured on the BBC programme Eat the Town. Check current opening times and buffet availability before visiting.

Spend the afternoon at Arbroath Abbey, one of Scotland’s most important historic monastic sites.

Founded in 1178 by King William I, known as William the Lion, the abbey has played a remarkable part in Scotland’s story. It is closely connected with the Declaration of Arbroath, which was sent to Pope John XXII in 1320 and asserted Scotland’s position as an independent kingdom.

Explore the striking red sandstone ruins and discover the abbey’s religious, political and civic importance. Look out for the remains of the abbey church, the Abbot’s House and the distinctive circular window known as the Round O, once used as a landmark by mariners.

The visitor centre brings further context to the site through exhibitions about the Declaration of Arbroath, medieval monastic life and the abbey’s place in Scottish history.

End the day with dinner at The Old Boatyard, a family-run restaurant overlooking Arbroath Harbour.

The waterfront setting is a fitting end to a day spent discovering Arbroath’s maritime heritage. The menu celebrates Scottish seafood and locally caught produce, alongside meat, pasta and seasonal dishes.

Depending on the day’s menu, you may find locally caught lobster and other seafood, Aberdeen Angus beef and a selection of Scottish whiskies, beers and ales.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays. Check current serving times and book ahead where possible.

Complete your day in Arbroath with a visit to one of the town’s theatres.

Arbroath’s Webster Memorial Theatre hosts a varied programme of drama, dance, comedy, concerts and live music throughout the year.

Alternatively, enjoy a performance at the Abbey Theatre, home to Arbroath’s volunteer-run amateur theatre club. The group usually stages five plays and a pantomime each year, offering a warm welcome and a lively evening of local entertainment.

Check each theatre’s programme in advance to find a performance taking place during your stay.

Start your final day at Barry Mill, a rare surviving example of Scotland’s water-powered milling heritage.

The mill once produced oatmeal and animal feed for the surrounding community, providing work for generations of local people until commercial milling ended in 1982.

Inside, discover the skill and hard work involved in being a miller. See how water powered a clever system of pulleys, levers and gears, and follow each stage of the milling process, from storing and drying the grain to cleaning, grinding and sieving it. Special milling tours are available on Fridays during the opening season.

Outside, a waymarked walk follows Barry Burn and the mill lade to a waterfall cascading over the weir. Keep an eye out for dippers, kingfishers and herons, and take time to enjoy the surrounding countryside.

The mill building is open seasonally from March to October, while the grounds are open daily throughout the year. Check current access information before your visit.

Continue to Carnoustie Golf Links, one of the world’s best-known golfing destinations.

Golf has been played in Carnoustie for centuries, and the Championship Course has hosted The Open eight times. Its coastal links landscape and famously challenging closing holes have helped Carnoustie earn an international reputation.

Golfers can book a round on one of the three 18-hole courses, subject to seasonal availability and course conditions. Beginners, families and younger visitors can try the shorter Carnoustie Nestie course when it is open and playable.

If the weather makes outdoor play difficult, the indoor golf simulators at Links House offer an all-weather option. Play virtual courses or spend some time practising your technique indoors.

Enjoy lunch at The Rookery, overlooking Carnoustie Golf Links.

With views across the course, the restaurant offers a relaxed and welcoming place to warm up after a morning outdoors. The menu combines comforting dishes and Scottish flavours, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices available.

The seasonal menu can include dishes such as Cullen skink, shepherd’s pie, fish, locally inspired specials and a traditional Sunday roast.

Booking ahead is recommended, particularly at weekends and during golf events.

After lunch, discover the coastal landscape around Barry Buddon, a military training area with a history stretching back to the mid-19th century.

Used for military training since around 1850, Barry Buddon remains an active training area today. It is also important for nature, with protected habitats that support a variety of coastal plants and wildlife.

For your safety, public access is restricted during military exercises and live firing. Always check the current live-firing schedule before visiting, follow all signs and barriers, and stay on authorised paths.

Travel north along the coast to East Haven, one of Scotland’s earliest recorded fishing communities.

Dating back to at least 1214, this peaceful village has a long connection with the sea. Look out for reminders of its fishing heritage as you explore, including the restored Sisters fishing boat.

Take a gentle walk through the village and along the beach, with open views across the North Sea. East Haven has a special atmosphere in autumn and winter, when the coastline is peaceful and the changing light brings a different character to the shore.

Coastal conditions can change quickly during the colder months. Check the weather and tide before setting out, wear suitable footwear and keep well back from rough water.

Complete your Angus tour with dinner at Carnoustie Golf Hotel, overlooking the first and 18th holes of the Championship Course.

Relax in the hotel restaurant and reflect on three days spent discovering Angus’ coastal heritage, from aviation and lighthouse stories to ancient landmarks, traditional industries and fishing communities.

The menu features freshly prepared dishes, including Scottish favourites and choices that celebrate local meat and seafood. It is a welcoming setting in which to enjoy your final evening and bring your coastal journey to a close.