First up on day two, head to Hospitalfield in Arbroath – a stunning Scottish Baronial arts centre, originally built in 1260 as a hospital for Arbroath Abbey. In 1890, it became a hub for independent artists and arts education.

Opening as an art school in 1902, it nurtured icons like James Cowie, Joan Eardley, and Robert Colquhoun. Explore the inspiring collections and Victorian Picture Gallery, one of Scotland’s most significant rooms, and dive into 19th and 20th-century art history.

• Location: Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, DD11 2NH
• The Hospitalfield House tour is available every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am from 3 April until 5 October 2025. Please note there is no public access to Hospitalfield House outside of these tours.
• Entry – £10 per adult.
• The Walled Garden and Fernery tour is available at 12.30pm on the first Friday of each month between April and October 2025.
• Entry – £10 per adult.
• Accessibility: Some areas of the house, including the Music Room on the ground floor, are accessible by wheelchair.

Staying at Hospitalfield, discover the Garden Café, a popular place to eat in Arbroath, located next to the Fernery. This stunning glasshouse, designed by Caruso St John, offers beautiful garden views. The café’s tables, designed by Mick Peter and ThreeFourFive, draw inspiration from the estate’s historic collections.

The weekly changing menu features seasonal produce, homegrown vegetables, and herbs from the garden, plus delicious cakes and locally roasted coffee from Sacred Grounds Coffee Company in Arbroath.

Afterward, explore the redesigned walled garden by Nigel Dunnett, featuring medieval medicinal plants and Victorian horticultural designs.

• Opening times:
  • Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
• Accessibility: The Garden Café is wheelchair accessible via a ramp into the gardens.

After lunch, visit Arbroath Abbey to see where the Scottish Declaration of Independence was signed in 1320.

The abbey’s newly-refurbished visitor centre is where you can learn more about one of the most famous documents in Scottish history. Scotland’s nobles swore their independence from England in the Declaration of Arbroath to the Pope. The declaration was sent from the abbey in 1320.

• Location: Abbey Street, Arbroath, DD11 1EG
• Opening times:
  • April to October – Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm (closed for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, last entry at 4pm)
• Entry:
  • Adult – £5.50
  • Concession – £4.50
  • Child (age 7 to 15) – £3.30
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets.

The Signal Tower Museum is located near Arbroath’s picturesque harbour. It sits among buildings used originally as the shore station and accommodation for the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

During your visit, you’ll learn about how the Bell Rock Lighthouse is Britain’s oldest surviving rock lighthouse and hear some of Arbroath’s fascinating fishing and maritime heritage stories.

The museum is also a great place to learn about Arbroath’s world-famous Smokie. The origins of the Smokie began in the small fishing village of Auchmithie, just north of Arbroath. The Smokie has protected status under European law, which means that it can only be called an Arbroath Smokie if produced in the traditional manner within a five-mile radius of the town.

• Location: Ladyloan, Arbroath, DD11 1PU
• Opening times:
  • April to October – Wednesday to Monday, 10.30am to 4pm (closed Tuesday)
• Entry: Free
• Accessibility: Partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility with some accessible parking available.

The story of the iconic Arbroath Smokie begins in the quaint fishing village of Auchmithie, just north of Arbroath. Here, generations of fishwives perfected the art of smoking haddock on sticks in whisky barrels—a method that gives the Smokie its unique flavour.

Visit the renowned But ‘n’ Ben Restaurant for a taste of authentic Arbroath Smokies in scenic surroundings. Don’t miss their signature dishes, including cream of Arbroath Smokie soup and the famous Smokie pancake.

Before you leave, explore Auchmithie’s pebble beach, hidden caves, and towering 120-foot red sandstone cliffs for breathtaking coastal views.

• Location: Auchmithie, Arbroath, DD11 5SQ
• Opening times:
  • Monday: 12 noon to 2pm
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2pm & 6pm to 10.30pm
  • Sunday: 12 noon to 6pm
• Accessibility: The But n Ben restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

Located just outside Carnoustie in the Angus countryside, Barry Mill is a picturesque working mill offering a rare glimpse back into Scottish history and the life of a miller.

Visit to see first-hand the ingenuity of Scottish engineering that kept the mill in business. Watch the wheel turning, the water splashing, and the machinery moving. Then take a relaxing stroll alongside Barry Burn to enjoy the wildflowers and breathe in the natural beauty of the mill’s charming countryside setting.

• Location: Mill Road, Barry, Carnoustie, DD7 7RJ
• Opening times:
  • 1 Mar to 6 Apr – Thurs to Sun, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • 7 to 21 Apr – Wed to Sun, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • 21 Apr to 3 June – Thurs to Sun, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • 1 July to 31 Aug – Wed to Sun, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • 1 Sep to 26 Oct – Thurs to Sun, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • Special milling tours are available on Fridays during the open season
  • Grounds are open daily all year round from dawn to dusk
• Entry:
  • Adult – £9.50
  • Concession – £8.50
  • NTS members – Free
  • Grounds – Free
• Accessibility: Accessible parking and accessible toilets. Some uneven terrain and steps.

A popular Carnoustie eating spot is Gather Café. Choose from their all-day brunch options, a warming bowl of soup, a hot or cold frittata, freshly baked handmade sourdough sandwiches, or one of the many other delicious options.

They serve up speciality coffee from local Arbroath-based Sacred Grounds. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, the café offers a selection of freshly baked treats.

Grab some local produce on the way out from their deli that stocks a fantastic selection of locally sourced drinks, wholefoods, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Location: 25-27 Dundee Street, Carnoustie, DD7 7PB
• Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 3pm
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets.

Located just outside Carnoustie, Barry Buddon is a historic military training site dating back to 1850. Originally used by the Forfarshire Rifle Volunteers and other military units, it was sold to the War Office in 1897 and continues to serve as a military training area.

Today, Barry Buddon is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an EU Special Area of Conservation (SAC), making it a unique destination for nature and history enthusiasts. While certain areas are closed to the public during live firing periods, details of the monthly Live Firing Schedules can be found on the Carnoustie Community Development Trust Website.

Whether you’re exploring the rich military history or enjoying the conservation efforts in the surrounding natural beauty, Barry Buddon offers a fascinating experience for those wondering what to do in Carnoustie.

• Location: Barry Buddon, Carnoustie, DD7 7RY

Located just 1.5 miles from Carnoustie, East Haven is one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches – perfect for a peaceful walk by the sea, easily accessible on foot, by bike, or with a short drive. This charming village, one of Scotland’s oldest fishing communities, dating back to 1214 and was awarded the Britain in Bloom Gold Award and Best Coastal Village in 2018.

Once a thriving fishing hub, East Haven is rich in heritage, with traces of its past still visible throughout the village. The beach remains a quiet, unspoiled spot, once a favourite of young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Today, visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty, stroll along the rural beach, and admire the restored Sisters boat and unique public gallery in the village’s former public toilets.

East Haven offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and a stunning coastline, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring Scotland’s beaches.

• Location: East Haven, DD7 6LT
• Entry: Free
• Opening times: Open at all times
• Accessibility: Some uneven terrain

End your day at Carnoustie Golf Hotel, offering freshly prepared, locally sourced dishes with stunning views over the Championship Course’s 1st and 18th holes. Enjoy a range of delicious options at Calders Bistro, from traditional favourites like fresh battered haddock and local lamb rump to international dishes such as the Americano and Tex-Mex burgers. Don’t forget to indulge in tempting desserts and a fine selection of cheese board options.

Once home to the world’s largest Rolex clock, Carnoustie Golf Hotel is now celebrated for its great food, breathtaking views of the golf course, and nearby coastline, making it a must-visit spot for any visitor.

• Location: Links Parade, Carnoustie, DD7 7JE
• Opening times: 12 noon to 9.30pm
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access with accessible parking and toilets