Location:
Balmashanner Hill, Forfar, DD8 2LE
(view on Google maps)
Dates:
Saturday 12 September, 10am to 4pm
The monument on Balmashanner Hill, known locally as “Bummie”, was built in 1920/1. A plaque above the entrance reads ‘Their name liveth for evermore. Erected in Memory of the men of Forfar and District who fell in the Great War 1914-18’. There is also a Roll of Honour on the wall inside.
On a clear day there are excellent views over Forfar, the surrounding farmland, and across the Valley of Strathmore to the Braes of Angus beyond. Close to the monument stands an indicator which gives the names and heights of various hills and mountains which are visible.
The building was dedicated by Queen Mary on 11 September 1921 and comprises a square tower, with battlements and turret, built from local sandstone. The tower measures a height of 16,764mm.
Doors Open Days offers visitors the opportunity to visit the impressive tower and access the building including taking the stairs up to the viewing platform at the top which provides stunning views in all directions across the beautiful Angus countryside. Access to the tower is via a steep internal stair of approximately 80 steps.
Booking is not required.
There are around 80 external and internal steps to be negotiated to get to the top of the tower and the site is at the top of Balmashanner Hill. Accessibility is therefore limited however there is a good path network leading to the site.
Doors Open Days is is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old, and is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust.
