We stayed in Broughty Ferry on our rail tour of Scotland. It has been described as a “residential suburb” but to me it has its own unique character. Situated on the River Tay estuary this former fishing village is peaceful and relaxing with perfect natural scenery. The town has a variety of distinctive artisanal shops which are great for browsing. The downside of touring around by train with only one suitcase is the fact of not being able to buy too much to take home!
There are a range of places to stay and an assortment of great places to eat. We had an enjoyable meal in the Royal Arch in Brook Street. I think my other half probably chose this venue because it has won the CAMRA pub of the year for the real ale, but I loved having a choice of over 50 malt whiskies (although I didn’t try them all!) When we ate in their Art Deco-style waterfront restaurant we had the room to ourselves. The meal, which was made from fresh local produce, was delicious.
Not to be missed in Broughty Ferry is the castle. It was built in 1490 to defend the Scottish nation from the English navy. The castle is now a museum full of artefacts with the volunteers describing its history and that of the town. The building has faced many battles and sieges, but in more recent years it has been fortified as part of the coastal defence system. If you are able, it is well worth going up the spiral staircase to see the spectacular views of the sandy beach, the wildlife and the clear waters of the Tay estuary with its natural environment. Also, on the top floor is the Orchar Gallery with its amazing collection of paintings. Admission to the castle is free, but it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There is a gift shop and refreshments are available.
The Davit Gateway sculpture was commisssioned as part of the flood prevention scheme. It was designed by a local artist to commemorate the RLNI Broughty Ferry lifeboats and crew members and has all the lifeboats inscribed. The local station is the busiest in Scotland.
And another fact of interest is this: the town was the home of the artist Dudley D Watkins who created the illustrations for comic characters Oor Wullie, the Broons, Desperate Dan, Lord Snooty and all the others from the Dandy and Beano comics. In Jolly’s Hotel in town there is a larger than life figure of Dennis the Menace made of straw. Perfect for selfies!
Broughty Ferry has such a lovely atmosphere that you want to return there again one day – I certainly do.
