Dundee, Forfar and Arbroath

[The G Kid]

I will be spending a week in Scotland in August for a cricket tournament, with matches in Dundee, Forfar and Arbroath. Any advice on where to base myself, and things to do once sporting activities are over? Will be with wife and teenage daughter (who doesn't like cricket!).

Any advice gratefully received!

[J6542]

Broughty Ferry would be a good place to base yourself if you can get an Airbnb there. Large beach only 5 minutes walk from the town centre. There are lots of historic sites only a short drive or bus journey away.

[Tighnamara]

https://www.piperdam.com/

Near Dundee, but depends what you / family are looking for.

[Mercdriver]

+1 for Broughty Ferry, we live there a decent shopping area, remember them? with free parking if you can get a space limited on time though. Plenty of restaurants bars etc to suit all tastes.

73 or 5 bus takes you into Dundee then you can get bus to Forfar. 73 also goes to Arbroath

Restaurants
Ship inn, best fish and chips
Goa for Indian
Posh selkie for tapas
Collinsons for up market, great food and service

In fairness to the rest they are all decent, competion for diners is fierce. Recommend booking wherever you decide

Sorry cannot help with B and b,

Edited by Mercdriver on Friday 2nd May 10:23

[The G Kid]

Much appreciate all the responses so far, will do some more digging.

Thanks all.

[djsmith74]

The V&A Museum in Dundee is very good. They usually have interesting exhibitions on, and regular makers markets with local traders/artists. The building itself is really nice. Next door is Shackleton's Discovery which is worth a visit. There are quite a few whisky distilleries in the region if that is of any interest. I would also look at diverting to the Kelpies either on your way up or down, as it's a really nice stop-off and the sculptures are mightily impressive.

[Mercdriver]

Sorry disagree about the V and A, spend 15 mins in the place if you are really bored. Vast space most allocated to eating and an overpriced gift shop. Shackleton very good, jute museum 10 minutes away are worth a visit too, check if you get a discount for buying both tickets. The McManus galleries are worth paying a visit and restaurant is good though not licenced

[J6542]

The best bit of Dundee is the bridge to the Kingdom of Fife.

[thepritch]

The G Kid said:

I will be spending a week in Scotland in August for a cricket tournament, with matches in Dundee, Forfar and Arbroath. Any advice on where to base myself, and things to do once sporting activities are over? Will be with wife and teenage daughter (who doesn't like cricket!).

Any advice gratefully received!

Are you driving? How many days do you need to occupy? Is your daughter (and you and your family) into wildlife / outdoorsy / sports / history etc?

Edinburgh has the festival on all August, so I’d recommend heading down there on the train for the day (1hr 15 by train). Always a great atmosphere. Great for your teenage daughter. But if you can book dinners etc in advance.

If you enjoy walking / scenery then you could head north into glen Clova, or up to Loch Lee / Glen Mark. Really beautiful.

There are the Abroath cliff tours which take you into caves with kayaks to see all manner of wildlife. I’ve never done it but a friend loved it - maybe something your daughter would also enjoy.

On the south side of Stonehaven is Dunnottar Castle. A spectacular ruin perched on cliffs where you can often see dolphins.

You can see seals from Montrose basin.

Someone suggested the Kelpies - agreed. But also visit the Falkirk Wheel if you’re in that area. I really enjoyed the trip on the wheel!

Have fun while you’re up here!

[AndrewIC]

J6542 said:

The best bit of Dundee is the bridge to the Kingdom of Fife.

[Mercdriver]

Must live in fife then? But you are right Dundee town centre is a dump, rundown, empty shops etc but all the big towns are like that.


That is why we moved to B/F from Glenrothes!

[Scaleybrat]

I lived in Broughty Ferry for over 28 years and only moved in the last 5 years to support elderly parents. In addition to the above recommendations, The Fish (Fisherman’s Tavern) for beer and food, Bombay Joe’s for Indian and Hom’s for Chinese takeaway are also worth consideration. It’s a great place, nice atmosphere and far better than its surroundings.
Biggest challenge will be trying to find accommodation but if you can, it is definitely worth it.

[Scaleybrat]

Oh….. and I wouldn’t recommend Piperdam. It’s isolated geographically, seems to attract people who can’t be arsed to drive to Blackpool and expensive for what it is.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Arbroath is nice for a visit, great chippy restraunt overlooking the sea.
Olympia swimming pool in dundee is great for a couple of hours, one of the best in scotland.
Korean bbq.
Bottle of buckfast and a nice wee walk around fintry is good for a laugh.

[J6542]

Mercdriver said:

Must live in fife then? But you are right Dundee town centre is a dump, rundown, empty shops etc but all the big towns are like that.


That is why we moved to B/F from Glenrothes!

The city centre is like a scene from the walking dead. There has always been junkies but there is a crack epidemic hitting the city now.
I stay just over the bridge, but work in the trades for a Dundee company. Work takes me all over the city and surrounding area. It’s a great place with really friendly people,

[OldGermanHeaps]

J6542 said:

Mercdriver said:

Must live in fife then? But you are right Dundee town centre is a dump, rundown, empty shops etc but all the big towns are like that.


That is why we moved to B/F from Glenrothes!

The city centre is like a scene from the walking dead. There has always been junkies but there is a crack epidemic hitting the city now.
I stay just over the bridge, but work in the trades for a Dundee company. Work takes me all over the city and surrounding area. It’s a great place with really friendly people,

Fife is no better, you have places like ballingry and methil.

[J6542]

OldGermanHeaps said:

J6542 said:

Mercdriver said:

Must live in fife then? But you are right Dundee town centre is a dump, rundown, empty shops etc but all the big towns are like that.


That is why we moved to B/F from Glenrothes!

The city centre is like a scene from the walking dead. There has always been junkies but there is a crack epidemic hitting the city now.
I stay just over the bridge, but work in the trades for a Dundee company. Work takes me all over the city and surrounding area. It’s a great place with really friendly people,

Fife is no better, you have places like ballingry and methil.

That’s the rough end of Fife neebur. Us North East Fifers don’t mix with the rift raft.

[Scaleybrat]

J6542 said:

. Us North East Fifers don’t mix with the rift raft.

Mmm - not very bright though, are you?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Cousin marriage is still a thing in the rural tribes in the kingdom.

Manager of a recycling plant I visit for work occasionally summed it up perfectly. I asked how she had so many Daryl and Cleetus redneck types all in the one place and right away she said she reckons its the mining chemicals polluting the drinking water.

[J6542]

Scaleybrat said:

J6542 said:

. Us North East Fifers don’t mix with the rift raft.

Mmm - not very bright though, are you?

Easy mistake to make, typing with 6 fingers