Situated beside Arbroath harbour on the A92. Car and coach parking available nearby. Disabled access difficult. Loop system available. Parties welcome but must book.
Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 17.00 all year. Closed 25/26 December and 1 - 2 January. Also open Sundays 14.00 - 17.00 July/August.
Beside Arbroath’s harbour, on the sea front, stands an elegant complex of regency buildings. Now the Burgh’s museum, the buildings were built in 1813. Until 1955 these buildings formed the shore station and family living quarters for the light keepers on the Bell Rock Lighthouse which lies 11.5 miles out from Arbroath on a dangerous semi-sunken reef.
Both lighthouse and shore station were built by Robert Stevenson, founder of the famous dynasty of lighthouse engineers
At the Signal Tower you can find out about the fascinating history of the lighthouse, visit the outhouse to see the massive lens of the last manually operated lamp and hear the keeper talk about his day. In addition the museum displays reflect the past lives of the keepers’ families and the wider community of Arbroath and district. Other displays tell the story of Arbroath’s fishing heritage and of its great Industries of textiles and engineering.
The museum also displays the wildlife of the cliffs around the town. Arbroath’s civic treasures and souvenirs of the Burgh’s great trading days complete the tour of the museum.
The museum shop and reception are on the first floor, WCs are available to museum visitors next door to the shop.
Overview of our collections
Arbroath Signal Tower Museum collects artefacts, photographs and archive material relating to the history of Arbroath and District.
The collections are especially representative of the Burgh’s fishing heritage, along with the building’s link with the historic Bell Rock Lighthouse designed by the famous engineer Robert Stevenson (1772 -1850)
Highlights
Bell Rock Lighthouse Lens - This fine eight sided lens from the Bell Rock Lighthouse was used for over 80 years from 1902 as a warning to mariners.
Bell Rock Lighthouse Bell, (1810) - One of two large bronze fog warning bells from the Bell Rock Lighthouse
Book of Signals - A beautifully illustrated and hand drawn book showing the signals using flags and signal balls that were used to signal to the Bell Rock Lighthouse from the Arbroath Signal Tower. This book is signed by Robert Stevenson, engineer to the Bell Rock Lighthouse
Shanks’ Lawnmower (1855) - An early example from the Arbroath company that was to become a leader in the field of lawnmower manufacture.
Arbroath Provost’s Medallion and Chain (1899) - Inscribed with the Arbroath motto ‘Propter Libertatem’ (for the purpose of Liberty). The Arbroath chain of office is a particularly fine example of the regalia of a Scottish Burgh.
Hume Panels, (1819) - Two of a number of painted panels gifted by the radical Montrose-born MP Joseph Hume to the Trade Incorporations of the Angus Burghs.
Elsinore Bowl - A memento of Arbroath’s 19th century trade to the Baltic Ports, from the time when ship’s captains would be gifted items such as this punch bowl to mark their first trip through the Sound of Denmark.
Fisher Souvenir China - Fisher families often collected china souvenirs when following the herring shoals around the coast of Britain, this set of 19th century pieces belonged to an Arbroath fisher family.
Witches Eye - A beautifully crafted blue glass ball from the time when such objects were collected by the fisher men and women. When hung in a window, objects like this were traditionally used to ward off evil spirits.
