Brechin
Angus
Scotland
Brechin Cathedral September 2023
Brechin is a town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin was described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese (which continues today as an episcopal seat of the Scottish Episcopal Church), but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era.
Nevertheless, the designation is often used, with examples being the City of Brechin and District Community Council, City of Brechin and Area Partnership, City of Brechin Civic Trust and Brechin City Football Club. Kinnaird Castle is nearby. Brechin is located slightly closer to Dundee than Aberdeen on the A90 between the cities. It is the fourth largest settlement of Angus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brechin
Brechin was my first stop on my family history tour of Scotland. The whole journey of exploring my family past started with finding out about my Scottish roots, and the Tindals were amongst the first of the people I discovered when I was searching. So Brechin seemed like a good place to start.
Square opposite Brechin Library
Pub in City Street, Brechin
Meikle Mill, where the Smiths lived
The bank of the South Esk, in the area the Smiths and the Tindals were from
While I was exploring the area, I stayed in Montrose, and took time to go to the Angus Archives at Restenneth Priory on the outskirts of Forfar. Below are some photos of the area, taken (as were the ones above) in September 2023. The library at Montrose is amazing, and I bought a beautiful silver ring and triquetra charm at Peter Roberts’ shop. Forfar had some realy beautiful old buildings, but for some reason I really loved the post office, austere as it was. Restenneth Priory was really interesting as well, and I must really thank the people at the Angus Archives, they were very helpful.
Montrose Library
Peter Roberts, jeweller, Montrose
Victorian era post office, Forfar
Restenneth Priory, Forfar