The Signal Tower Museum is a captivating exhibition that delves into the history of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, its keepers, and their families. The museum also showcases exhibits on the fishing industry in Arbroath. It is beautifully laid out and offers informative guides who provide valuable insights into the exhibits. Visitors are sure to be impressed by its excellent presentation and free admission policy. Additionally, visitors can rest assured that COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed at all times.
Excellent museum, beautifully laid out & very informative. The guide who took up the stairs was so good, gave us lots of information. Can't recommend highly enough.
Christine Brown — Google review
Nice little museum, very interesting and it's free. Staff are pleasant and very welcoming.
Bill B — Google review
Fascinating museum that tells the story of Bell Rock Lighthouse and the lighthouse keepers, their families and the fishing heritage of Arbroath... Free admission too
redrugbylad — Google review
Fascinating place. My 8 year old great granddaughter and I had a great time. Really interesting. Thank you
k n — Google review
Really interesting place to visit, and it’s free! Such friendly, helpful staff. Very good exhibits relating to this superb piece of engineering. Take time to view the 40 minute film (not a documentary, lie, a real cinema film), gives to much insight to the construction of the lighthouse and the pains Robert Stevenson and the craftsmen went to and their determination and fortitude to ensure this structure was built.
Diane Onslow — Google review
Very interesting if you are interested in light houses. Staff very friendly and helpful. Would recommend a visit. Takes about half an hour to three quarters if an hour to go round. Small gift shop. Toilets
Julie Heslop — Google review
It's very nice place to visit with family.
FEDDAR MATDAR — Google review
Excellent museum with friendly lady at the desk. Nice film about the Bellrock Lighthouse.
William Mcdowall — Google review
A great place full of facts about the life of the lighthouse crews, the engineering involved in the construction of the Bell Rock lighthouse, the history of it , including the name, the tools & equipment used...etc etc.
Well worth a visit.
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I believe. 😉👍
Joe Day — Google review
A beautiful Museum, different times and different life styles to today.
This Museum has got a bit of everything to interest all ages. My only regret as a keen photographer, was that access to the top of the Tower was not possible at the time. Whether that becomes an option in the future I do not know.
Derek Haden — Google review
Nice little museum dedicated to lighthouse keeping.
This building was the signal tower and resupply base for Stevenson's Bell Rock Lighthouse, interesting history of the building of that lighthouse, some really interesting exhibits illustrating life on a remote lighthouse.
The museum is well laid out over two floors and is well worth a visit, the staff are friendly, helpful and will answer most of the questions one will think of, there is a round the museum trail for kids.
Alan Holt — Google review
Nice little museum. Staff very friendly and give us some local knowledge of the area. Free entry.
Heather Mc — Google review
What a fantastic museum to visit for Free and the young woman we saw to give our details to for COVID-19. She is so informative and great at her job.
Arbroath Abbey is a historical site dating back to the medieval era, with remnants of a monastery and its precinct walls. The church facade still stands tall while the abbot's house serves as another interesting feature. Though the attraction is currently undergoing restoration, it remains worth a visit for tourists who can park their cars in nearby lots or on the street. Visitors are welcome to explore the exterior of Arbroath Abbey and marvel at its unique architecture and rich history.
This place is worth to visit. Very important place for Scotland. Very welcoming staff. Nice modern gallery.
MATDAR MATDAR — Google review
A beautiful looking old building, unfortunately it was closed so I was unable to go in and have a good look. Look forward to it reopening so I take advantage of exploring the whole abbey
Bobby Brannan — Google review
Knowledgeable staff who were happy to chat. The museum itself is good, with the beautiful tapestry and the replica of the declaration, but it was a shame that the Abbey itself was scaffolded off for restoration work. Some parts are accessible for photos, as is the gravestone of William I.
Lyn Bostock — Google review
Yhere is a small car park just across the street. It was free when we visited as the parking meter had been covered by the council.
The shop and visitor centre is open but access to the Abbey ruins and grounds was still closed on our visit in October '21.
The visitor centre was full of informative historical information boards and wall displays. Nicely layed out centre with space to spread out, sit and read through information. There is a short film protected on the wall about the declaration and how the manuscript came into effect. This is a nice wee modern twist to capture the imagination.
There are both stair and a wheelchair accessible elevator to the upper level. Here you have some more displays of architecture and a good partial view over some of the grounds through the tall windows.
There are ample toilets and a small but nice little shop. The staff were very friendly and informative, when time permitted they loved to chat about the museum and were interested in where we came from too.
Look forward to visiting again when grounds are open.
Graham Mellstrom — Google review
The Abbey is still surrounded by fencing which restricts access and spoils most photographs of this historic site. Would be nice if Historic Scotland could acceletate the rate of inspection and repair not only here but at many of their other sites.
Anthony McConachie — Google review
The Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William I of Scotland and consecrated in 1197, dedicated to St Thomas Beckett who had been an Archbishop of Canterbury. Williams grave is here though he doesn't sound like much of a Scottish hero. After trying to invade England he got captured and then exchanged his freedom for acknowleding King Henry II as his superior and even agreed to pay for the English occupation by taxing the Scots. There is a lot of scaffolding but it's still worth a wander around the ruins. The exhibition rooms and artefacts on display are very good. There is a replica of the Stone of Scone, the original of which was left at the Abbey in 1951 after being stolen and broken by students. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable and said that it's rumoured that the stone is merely the lid of a medieval toilet! I hope not. A lot is made of what is now being called The declaration of Arbroath. What a load of nonsense that is. It was just a letter to the Pope to try and get the excommunication of the murderer Robert Bruce reversed. It was never called a declaration until hundreds of years later probably for a bit of a publicity. The letter even boasts of completely destroying the Picts which is not something to be proud of. Definitely worth a visit if in the area.
Nuts — Google review
Closed for restorations at the moment but still very much worth a visit if you’re popping by - there is a small car park and street parking nearby and you can still walk around to see what you can from outside.
Jay McGregor — Google review
As others have mentioned, this place is currently closed for renovations. I do think it was still worth stopping by and having a look at. Beautiful old stone structures and easy to access.
Lindsey Ross — Google review
Majestic red stone ruined Abbey. Only able to walk around the outside of the ruins as it is all fenced off. Priced accordingly. Great history in the visitors centre and interesting graveyard. Was enhanced by being a foggy day.
Allen May — Google review
One of the most impressive places i Scotland. Really touched by its strong presence and history. Excellent museum, very didactic.
Antonio Losada — Google review
Due to repair works we weren't allowed to see a lot of the abbey. Museum is good with dressing up. Staff are lovely.
Abbie Rendell — Google review
Beautiful little town on the East Coast of Scotland. You can smell smoked fish around:)). Famous Abbey looks amazing. That historic building looks really impressive.
Free entry! :)
Jolanta JAKUBOWSKA — Google review
Really interesting audio visual and interactive/hands on introduction to the Abbey unfortunately a lot of the Abbey is closed to visitors at the moment and ruins the experience.
jim webster — Google review
Excellent attraction with really cool information center and stunning building remains. When we went not all of it was open but I still really recommend going. It's really interesting. Love it!