The Knowhere Guide

Best and Worst in Arbroath, Angus*

Arbroath, Angus Triumphs and Tragedies

Favourite Building

• the sheriff court, beehive of activity during the day. watch as another Winter's offspring gets let off scot free. have abuse randomly hurled at you from its ill protected doorway. hurrah!
• St Vigeans Church
• favourite building New year i guess for certain people the steeple usually croweded by youngetsres dont know of a FAVORITE BUILDING
• Birthplace of Scottish independence Arbroath Abbey.
• pleasureland! bt 4 da oldie prob the abbey lol
• abbey taxi's best taxi business in abroath and best building by far
• the first block of flats in westhaven gardens, i live there
• Party Time, world famous for its cheap, out of date alcohol!What would us alcoholics do without it
• Odin
• abbey
• The marine ballroom( especially the back which holds great memories for me.
• The Golden cockrel chinky takeaway
• The Abbey???
• the toilets down at the harbour , best place to shoot up heroin
• The Webster theatre ( exterior though, the heating often makes it may too hot or freezing cold, no in between most of the time )
• My house. Cos when I got it, it was a mess.....all mingy and mildewey...now its so nice...all cosy and warm with some great stuff in it.
• The Water Tower - great view from there. Wish it was open so you could see the view from the top. The Mortuary Chapel in the Western Cemetery. Fantastic stone carving, both inside and out - it's open one day a year, on the Doors Open weekend; check with the council about when it is.
• Market Place toilets (not)
• The factory R.I.P
• Part Time just up in Fisheracre
• Franks house on a Friday night.
• The Malacca Bar(R.I.P)West Port Bar doesna hae a look in.
• Old Inverbroathock school (it is haunted)
• Arbroath high school(to burn it down that is coz if you had no friends it'd suck, totally)
• The Marine Ballroom. It holds many memories for young and old but mainly the old. Great fight nights and great bands, especially Alan, Gus, Kev and Kenny.
• Steeple
• The Abbey, of course, where the famous Declaration of Arbroath was signed. Don't expect to see it though as they only have a copy. The Abbey is still wortha visit though.
• OLYMPIA (a pub which is now being made into a new pub by Wetherstones Once the best pub (mainly for those underage
• The Arbroath Abbey where the Declaration for Independance was signed, Sir William th the Lion burial grounds, the Abbey was built in 1177
• Arbroath High School coz it's great!
• The Abbey cos it is so cool and old
• Any building far away from Arbroath
• Gayfield Stadium, home of Arbroath FC
• Restormel Castle.

Demolish It Now Building

• Demolish the cop shop and build a fucking huge boozer
• Shouldn't this question be "who would you like to be inside the building when it get's flattened?"
• Id like to see the bloody club just beside the foot of the toon' (the Marina) get blown up, why the hell is it still sitting there ??? your guess is as good as mine, aparently the guy who owns it is a stubborn old fool and doesnt want to sell WANK !!!
• The Abbey gate ugly ugly ugly building suppose to be the town super center and well it just isnt
• bruce house with that awful eyesore of a pyramid on its roof
• abbey
• The Academy and other abominations erected in the 60's that blight the face of Arbroath.
• the minky flats at mayfield
• safeway
• the court house
• Gayfield, its a dump
• The old Safeway, it just sits there looking old and boarded up, def waste of space
• De Vitos,bout time that flea pit was torn down,doggy dealers,fly by nights and poofy management.Come out and fight like a man!!.
• ARBROATH ACADEMY!!
• Mcdonalds restaurant ( build a KFC instead).
• Somebody please just demolish Bally's! Firstly because i hate the place, and secondly because i hate the fact that everytime i come back to Arbroath i always somehow end up there!
• the sherif court , always having to go in there
• Arbroath High School
• There are many unnoccpuied flats that are never ever used - these can be an eyesore.
• The four flat blocks at Timmergreens.....they just look so crap....and the Social Security Buildings at the big roundabout Grant Road...and the Council blocks near the Abbey...why put them there....ruins a nice area and encourages Gadgies.
• Oasis disco
• OASIS,OASIS,OASIS,OASIS,OASIS,OASIS,OASIS. BALLEYS,BALLEYS,BALLEYS,BALLEYS. And any were else the shams hang out.
• Mayfield.Ooops can I say that.?
• The cafe project building needs to be knocked down, it is supposed to be a place for kids to keep off the streets, but all it does is look ugly.
• MAYFIELD ALL OF IT INCLUDING STEVES HOUSE
• RM Condor (complete with all personnel). The Sherriff Court(for the seriously high fines of the 80,s)
• High school it is full of shams and counterfeits
• arbroath abbey.Still not complete after hundreds of years
• ballys
• West Port bar and the bus station
• arbroath academy.
• Hmmmm ... the cop shop.
• Probably the Marine Ballroom but only to rebuild it in its original layout.
• Ness Drive (a street)
• Take your pick, Arbroath has a few that nbeed no help to fall down, although the centre has been tidied up a bit in recent years.
• Abbeygate
• ODIN - cattle market. This place's root.
• There is a building down at the cliffs that used to be some kind of dance hall way back in the 20's I think (that's the 1820's!). I don't think it has been used since but it is hideous and needs demolished immediately. (I haven't been home for 3 years so maybe it's a supermarket now!!)
• Conservative Club! it's bright blue!

The Best Things

• pubs
• easy availibility of drugs and teenage sluts.
• MEL'S LEFT HANDER,BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED,PINPOINT ACCURACY,WONDERFUL FOLLOWTHRU,SOUND OF IMPACT ECHOED AROUND THE PARK.COULD ALSO BE ENTERED UNDER THE "WORST THINGS"DEPENDS ON IF YOU WERE STUPID ENOUGH TO CALL MEL'S AUTISTIC A RETARD. EH!ZOE.
• fish and chips the pubs the old brew house ona hot day ok warm day the harbour the cliffs the smell of smokies the surroundign country side.
• give me 10 years more and i am sure i will find something
• The road to Dundee
• the sign "you are now leaving arbroth" if there was 1:P
• the fish nd chips anthe water front in da summer
• THE GLAMS WHEN THEY ARE PUMPING
• abbey taxi's the best taxi service around the town and quick service and low taxi fair's far the best in arbroath
• flipz mmmmm........
• plenty of woodland to get down to some out door dirtiness!
• Erin
• erin is the best thing
• erin is the best thing in arbroath
• The road out!
• Odin and its staff,the dundee road!.
• breakers, ballys etc
• Going out on a weekend and everyone practically knows one another, which somtimes can be a bad thing aswell.
• Cardickin in Arbroath
• gotta b the marines!!!!!!!
• The Cliffs!!! And the harbour wall!!
• Its arbroath there r no best things
• easy availibility of drugs , easy girls
• Community spirit - whisky, brandy, gin etc.
• The reason Forfar people dont live in Arbroath is because we have taste and that Arbraoth is a bigger dump than Forfar
• The reason Forfar people dont live in Arbroath is because we have taste and that Arbraoth is a bigger dump than Forfar
• The Blokes...well one of them anyway...no names....he's all mine lol...The Abbey is a beautiful building but I think the council should actually turn on the spotlights all year round rather than just when the pagent is on.
• i love munchie forever
• on one side you have the sea, on another side you have the town, on another side you have a forest and the other way is the countryside. It caters for any taste of scenery.
• Pubs em the dole office (have to say that cos they pay for my life)
• The sudden rise in skateboarders. They are everywhere u look.
• My Cock
• BOOZE
• Very friendly people.
• the cheap alcohol the dope the hot females, the few which there are!
• THE CORNER BAR
• is the false hopes and dreams of the people who live here, i cast your eyes to the statement below, a friendly place to live, get a fucking grip you nutter
• PEPPERPOT
• i moved away 5 years ago and nothing changes when i go back except a few roundabouts.
• The roads leading out of the place?
• Its spirit and its people. I've lived away from Scotland for 6 years and have only returned within the past 5 months. Arbroath has its many troubles, but I've yet to visit a place of its size and station which had the spirit to rival this town. Coming through by train this Easter weekend was like a revelation. The weather was especially fine, granted. But here were acres and acres of green common, sandy and rocky coastline, and hundreds of people out enjoying themselves. For the first time in an age I saw Arbroath as it must have been in its heyday - a colourful and pleasant holiday venue for the locals and west coasters. I believe it can still be that. It's in a prime spot, it's dry compared to the rest of Scotland, and it's on a main railway route. The town could benefit so much if it got its act together and marketed what we have effectively.
• The best thing aboot Arbroath is that there are not many fowk fae Montrose, Brechin, Friokhiem or Forfar bide there. The sun always shines on Arbroath.
• The best thing about Arbroath is there are ways to get out of it, so next time any of you softies want to complain ...buy a ticket on a british rail train or get a bus OUT no-one is making you live there! Leave so the rest of the people who may actually enjoy that kind of lifesyle can do so without you miserable dead heads bugging them!
• The annual Sea fest, the fish suppers, the bobbing boats and the beach but would like pollution update please. The daffodils all around, the cliffside walks and harbour. Friendly people serving in the small retail fish shops which stay open until an amazing 6pm on Saturday nights. The peace and quiet and call of the gulls. Some of us like the quiet life. In case you are asking no I am not on any rosy glow drugs.
• Steeple at New Year! Lots of Nice girls but not anymore coz I iz too old. (19) Safeways coz I work there. The tennis club coz I kick ass there!
• Fish and chips from Peppo's at the harbour and smokies frshly made.
• Arbroath has a fabulous beach with beautiful cliffs and great views, great Arbroath smokies in fact all the fish is excellent, wonderful friendly people, great architecture Keptie pond and the water tower are something to see, lovely parks and walking area and a great little town, nice library I spent hogmanay there travelled from Canada had a fabulous time great pubs, great people, and a beautiful little town can't say anything bad about it and I certainly did not see a lot of druggie kids in fact I found the skaters decent kids with manners to, you should do a re-write
• The best things about Arbers is that everyone knows everyone else and looks out for everyone. (Also you know everyone elses business before they do).
• (This page intentionally left blank)
• The late Andy Stewart comes fae here - his wife still resides in Arbroath. "Donald wheres your trousers?"
• The Marine (r.i.p.), A.F.C, The Vaults,(r.i.p.), Fleemins Pies, The switches, Lunan Bay, caveman, paddy, cossy, stoory and the West Port.
• The easy way of life. Everybody knows you. Very freindly place to live.
• The history of the town The parks, cemeteries and 'green bits' are very well maintained.

The Worst Things

• their is no ASDAS as yet we have been waiting for a long time for council to give the peopel of ARBROATH a BIG SUPERMARKET with a big choice.
• the stink of half the tunnels that half the pissed jumped up teeny boppers do their business in.....and probably loose their virginity
• Nothing to do threw the week
• the chav heavy population. somehow tucking your tracksuit into your socks makes you hard. dressing like a rent boy isnt very tough guys, please stop it.
• The fact that Arbroath is a geriatric quagmire slowly trying to limp into the 20th century courtesy of it's antiquated and dubious council. Nevermind, at least the council members will all have houses in the new estates that keep appearing where fields, parks and places interest used to be. But I guess that's cos just cos I'm selfish and would like to enjoy life before I grow old.
• DOG SHIT ITS EVERYWHERE.YOU OWN THE DOG,YOU OWN THE CRAP TOO,CLEAN IT UP.
• the pioeple the high street the gas prices and lack of the bad shoppign selecton
• being here
• Worst things in Arbroath is the alarming rate of heroin abuse in this town and the lack of things being done about it.
• neds!! bus station!!
• Influx of minks and ned's from Dundee that seem to be resetled here for being problem neighbours.
• the ack of things 2 do an shops etc
• Corrupt councilors and f*ckin' greedy local property developers that are preventing a new ASDA (only real competition for a well over-priced Morrisons - nee Safeways) being built and therefore providing the people (who voted for the b*stards) having any choice in where to shop without having to travel to Dundee!!! Thanks a lot you bunch of self-serving w*nkers - you know who you are!
• aRBROATH
• smokie boards/ozzys
• neds
• smelly tunnel
• Slags that regularly raid Odin in their ASU's(active slag units)
• bernie fraser, vikki and debbie the sluts can all die - AIDS does kill ladies
• bernie fraser, vikki, and that slut debbie - hope they all die of aids soon
• ALL THE LITTLE TINKY JUNKIE SCUMBAGS THAT THE COUNCIL ARE STARTING TO PUT IN THE FEW DECENT AREA'S LEFT IN ARBROATH, WHO TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN MAKING ALL THE DECENT RESIDENTS LIFE A MISERY BY VANDALISING CARS, SELLING DRUGS ON THE CORNER OF THE STREET ETC BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT NOTHING ELESE IN THEIR LIVES TO LOOK FORWARD TOO OTHER THAN THEIR NEXT BAG OF SMACK ****** ANGUS COUNCIL TAKE NOTE WHY DON'T YOU PUT ALL THESE LITTLE WASTERS IN ONE ZONE WHERE THEY CAN ONLY RUIN THEIR OWN LIVES AND KEEP THEM THE FUCK AWAY FROM THE REST OF US *******
• Well this one is for the ladies, Arbroath men....I would stay away from them as they are all so childish most of the men havent grown up yet....Think Arbroath men are so scared of independent women..(Im refering to men of the age 27-36) Most of the men that are single will go to Bally's on a Satarday night to try & pull a young thing anything in a skirt..Try to re-live there youth as they dont want to grow up.. Most of the men that go to Bally's on a sat night actually think they are god's gift!!!!!!! Well there not they are just sad loneley men who cant find a decent women & are scared of some women...If I was you a single girlie reading this I would not even bother with Arbroath men there are better men out there! Who know what they want & act there age & know how to treat us girlies.. Also you never know what you might catch from an Arbroath Lad, they are walking STD cases.
• Neighbouring towns full of mingers, and the distinct lack of talent
• Stinking sluts descending on your men,De Vitos
• The Arbroath Herald - written by idiots for idiots
• The Arbroath Herald - written by idiots for idiots
• The worst things about Arbroath are the scum like Neil Watson...1st class fool!
• Having just spent a week in Arbroath I can thouroughly understand the frustrations of these youngsters. For gods sake give them something to live for. I appreciate that money and time are a valued commodity but surely there is someone who can offer more for these youngsters before its too late.
• The amount of filth(pigs, scum, feds)etc, bring the cardickin scene into exctinction ( bloody speed cops).
• Everybody knows everything about you, even stuff that hasn't even happened yet, kind of annoying!!!
• Arbroath in general
• the town as a whole is a shithole , stear clear ok
• It's not the case that it's a friendly town - leave something unattended for two minutes, when you come back, it'll be vandalised or stolen.
• The unemployment rates.
• The people can be two faced....as all places I guess....Gadgies coming up from Dundee....the amount of dog-shit is amazing....I'm sure it's not all dog shit....some of you people out there are squatting down aren't you?
• No cinema. The place could certainly support one, and if the council would only let someone build one (there's no shortage of offers) the town would be much improved. No skatepark. There are so many empty buildings, one could surely be turned into something like the Factory in Dundee.
• the bong as all skaters turn into useless droolin gigglin idiots on the bong, stick to the reefer!
• Small town mentality just doesnt quite describe how bad it is. A person could complain of a headache at one end of town and by the time they walk to the other end they have already been diagnosed with a brain tumour, have two days to live and have contracted it from being a serial mobile phone user. If you ever go to Arbroath DO NOT speak about anyone unless u want them to know the next day, DO NOT tell anyone your private stuff unless you want everyone to know. Kinda cr*p but just watch yer back and dont trust anyone.
• Mayfield oooops there it goes again eh shams and people who hanfg about the bus station and think there in fight club or something
• My ass after a curry
• The roads to Dundee, Montrose etc. Recent influx of Dundee/Weedgie tramps.
• The worst thing about Arbroath must be the boredom factor.
• shams
• the lack of places to hang out other than the streets too many pigs (thats police by the way)
• well it is arbroath.. it fuckin sucks
• THE SHAMS AND THE GOTHS
• The worst thing about Arbroath is that certain councillors are more interested in there expense forms rather than to make Arbroath back into a working town with a booming tourist trade!
• bootnecks
• Its administration. The football stadium fiasco is a painful illustration of this on an almost gothic scale. I don't want to be political but unfortunately in this town, if you wave a yellow flag and say you're nationalist you're almost guaranteed a seat on the council. It's been too easy for the yellows and, as a result, the most well-developed creation to come from this administration has been its moist purple piles from sitting on too many laurels.
• The Marines/choppers/guffies whatever you want to call them.
• What is happening along the beachfront hope it is updating sewage pipes cos a right mess is being made right before tourist season.
• Shams Mayfield Shops Teeny Boppers down the West Port!
• Seagulls, especially ones that have eaten recently.
• Shams!
• There isn't alot to do for the young uns. It has been the same for at least 10 years I believe and no-one seems to do owt about it. As a holiday spot you could only stay there for a day cos there is nothing to do for tourists. Probably the worst thing (if you're a Sasanach, spelt wrong) has to be a fear of opening your gob in case you get your head panned in!! Hence why I haven't taken my man home to meet my friends and see where I grew up.
• Arbroath!!
• Not much to do but drink and eat!
• It is not promoted enough The younger population defacing the councils attempts at improving the area

The Knowhere Guide started out as a list of places to skateboard in the UK. It is a compilation of (unedited) information and views supplied by users like yourself. It is not a conventional tourist guide!

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Last updated: 2007-08-09