Museums
Angus Council operates seven registered museums and galleries, four of which have staff who are always ready to assist with enquiries, identification and guided tours to schools and other groups (pre-booking required). The museums offer visually exciting approaches to history and wildlife through changing exhibitions, realistic tableaux, interactive PCs, sound and smells to bring displays to life. Behind the scenes there is a wealth of local history, archaeology, natural history and geology, art resources to help all kinds of enquirers from school projects to PhD theses! Activities for children, family groups and adults are arranged regularly eg workshops, walks, concerts, lectures and dramatic re-enactments.
- The Meffan Museum and Art Gallery *
- Arbroath Signal Tower Museum
- Montrose Museum and Art Gallery *
- Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum
- Brechin Town House Museum
- William Lamb Studio
- Arbroath Art Gallery
* These museums also have rooms available for hire. For booking information see Theatre, Library and Museums Accommodation Hire. For information on usage conditions and regulations, see Management Rules for Cultural Facilities and the Accommodation Letting Charges Leaflet (62 KB PDF)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the museums, who can I contact, and when are they open?
The Meffan Museum & Art Gallery
20 West High Street
Forfar DD8 1BB
Tel: 01307 464123
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/meffan
Contact: Mr Willie Milne, Museums Manager.
- Situated in Forfar Town centre, close to The Cross and Town and County Hall.
- Free parking available in the Myre Car Park close by.
- All galleries fully accessible with lift to upper floor.
- Accessible toilet.
- Loop system at Reception.
- Shop.
Open: Mon to Sat 10.00-17.00 all year. Closed 25, 26 & 28 December 2009 and 1, 2 & 4 January 2010.
Montrose Museum and Art Gallery
Panmure Place
Montrose DD10 8HE
Tel: 01674 673232 Fax: 01674 671810
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/montrose
Contact: Mrs Rachel Benvie, Curator.
- Situated in Montrose's Mid Links, behind the High Street, diagonally opposite Montrose Academy.
- On street parking adjacent.
- Disabled access difficult.
- Loop system at Reception.
- Shop.
Closed until autumn 2010 for refurbishment and accessibility works.
Arbroath Signal Tower Museum
Ladyloan
Arbroath DD11 1PU
Tel:
01241 875598 Fax: 01241 439263
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/signaltower
Contact: Mr Colin Easton, Curator.
- Beside Arbroath Harbour, on A92.
- Car park available.
- Disabled access difficult.
- Loop System at reception.
- Shop.
Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum
The Town House
32 High Street
Kirriemuir DD8 4BB
Tel: 01575 575479.
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/kirriemuir
Contact: Mr Colin Easton, Curator.
- Situated right in town centre.
- Parking available Bellies Brae Car park, free.
- Disabled access ground floor only.
- Accessible toilet.
- Loop system.
- Shop.
Open: Apr - Sept; Mon to Sat 10.00-17.00
Oct - Mar; Mon to Wed and Fri & Sat 10.00-17.00; Thurs 13.00-17.00.
Closed 25, 26 & 28 December 2009 and 1, 2 & 4 January 2010.
Brechin Town House Museum
28 High Street
Brechin DD9 6ER
Tel: 01356 625536
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/brechin
Contact: Mrs Rachel Benvie, Curator.
- Situated in the very heart of Brechin City Centre.
- Free parking 50 yards behind in Church Street.
- Disabled access.
- Accessible toilet.
- Shop.
The museum will re-open at the end of August 2010.
William Lamb Studio
Market Street
Montrose DD10 8NB
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/montrose/lamb.htm
Contact: Montrose Museum
- Situated in one of Montrose's quaint closes off the High Street.
- Disabled access to ground floor.
- Shop.
Open: Mon to Sun 14.00-17.00 July, Aug and early Sept
Arbroath Art Gallery
Arbroath Library
Hill Terrace
Arbroath DD11 1AH
[Map]
Web page: www.angus.gov.uk/history/museums/signaltower/art.htm
Contact: Arbroath Museum
- Situated above the library in Arbroath Town Centre.
- Disabled access difficult.
Open: Mon/Wed 9:30-20.00; Tues 10.00-18.00; Thurs 9.30-18.00; Fri/Sat 9.30-17.00. Closed public holidays.
How much is the admission charge?
Angus Council Museums and Galleries have no admission charges.
Do staff give talks to schools and other groups?
Museum staff give talks within the museums and galleries. They are unable to visit schools to give talks, but welcome school parties to the museums (these must be pre-booked). The Meffan holds museum resource kits including, the National Museums of Scotland Museum on the Move resource 'Picts' and also 'Victorians' and 'The Home Front' - see the Schools Workshops page for more details. The Educational Resources Section of Angus Education Service also has school loan kits. Please contact ERS on 01241 435045.
Curators and the Museums Manager do give a variety of talks to historical, art, wildlife groups but on a limited basis depending on other work commitments.
What other services do museums offer?
- Photographic request for prints service.
- Identification of objects.
- Research resources, files, indexes for school projects, university and college projects.
- Primary resources for researchers.
- Activities for children and adults.
- Guided tours and walks.
- Hire of facilities.
- Opportunity for volunteering.
- Placements for school pupils and students.
Do you provide a valuation service for objects?
Museum staff are not able to give valuations. Please contact auctioneers in the Yellow Pages who may be willing to provide this service.
Do you accept any objects as donations, or may I loan you objects?
Museums are delighted to accept donations of objects provided that object fits within our agreed Collecting Policy (which is reviewed every 5 years). Loans of material are accepted for specific exhibitions. (We do not store objects belonging to private individuals.)
Are there any Friends Organisations and in what other ways do the museums link to their local communities?
Yes, the Friends of Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum and the Friends of the William Lamb Studio exist. Please contact Kirriemuir Gateway on 01575 575479 and Montrose Museum on 01674 673232 for further details.
- Download Friends of Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens information leaflet (27 KB PDF) and application form (27 KB PDF)
Brechin Town House Museum also has a Friends organisation which can be contacted at the museum (address above).
Museum staff can give advice to local groups, schools, organisations and individuals who are undertaking project work on relevant themes, such as natural history, art, local history and archaeology.
We can also give curatorial and basic conservation advice.
How can I become more involved with museums?
By:
- participating in arranged events and activities.
- joining the Friends organisations.
- offering to become a volunteer.
Contact the museums for more information
Who do I contact for further information?
Museums Manager
Angus Council Cultural Services
William Wallace House
Orchardbank
Forfar DD8 1WH
Telephone: 01307 474766
Service Page: museums.htm
Service Details Last Reviewed : 9 September 2009