Broughty Castle Museum Broughty Ferry

Broughty Castle, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland

Historic Broughty Castle

Broughty Castle, Broughty Ferry,Scotland. — The castle is located on a strategic position on the River Tay

Broughty Castle in Dundee, Scotland is an historic castle dating from the 15th century.

The fortress is located on the banks of the River Tay in Broughty Ferry, a pleasant and once very prosperous suburb of Dundee.

Broughty Castle, Dundee, Scotland. — Portrait of John Luttrell by Hans Eworth, 1550; Luttrell was for a time the English commander of the castle and was captured there in 1550

History

Built in 1496, the castle is a good example of late medieval military architecture. It was constructed as a coastal defense tower by the Douglas family, specifically by Andrew, 2nd Lord Gray. Gray received permission from King James IV to erect the structure to protect against potential invasions, particularly from England.

The castle's strategic position allowed it to oversee and control maritime traffic on the River Tay, making it an important defensive site during its early history. Architecturally, Broughty Castle is characterized by its large square keep, which was originally surrounded by a curtain wall and additional defensive structures. The keep itself is built from local stone and includes a number of floors that would have housed garrison troops and stored supplies.

Throughout its history, Broughty Castle played a significant role during various conflicts, including the Anglo-Scottish wars and later, the War of the Rough Wooing (1543 to 1551). In 1547, the castle was captured by the English during their campaign to impose a marriage between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Edward VI of England, the heir of Henry VIII. It was held by the English for 18 months before being recaptured from John Luttrell and his garrison by allied Scottish and French forces.

In 1651, General Monck, Oliver Cromwell’s commander in Scotland, sacked the castle and by the late 18th century the fortress lay in partial ruins which were only restored in the following century.

The castle was modified and extended over the centuries, particularly in the 19th century when it was refurbished as part of the coastal defenses during the Napoleonic Wars. These modifications included the addition of artillery platforms and the installation of modern guns, which remained in use through both World Wars.

The castle seen from Broughty Ferry beach. — The castle seen from Broughty Ferry Beach

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The distinctive square keep of the castle. — The distinctive square keep of the castle

Museum

The Broughty Castle Museum is free and has exhibits on its four floors relating to the history and wildlife of Broughty Ferry. Now a suburb 4 miles east of Dundee, "Ferry" as it is known, is a pleasant mix of former jute barons' mansions on the hill and fishers' cottages on the sea front. There are exhibits on the area's past as a fishing and whaling port and also a collection of paintings in the Orchar Gallery. There's a cafe for refreshments, a museum shop and great views over the River Tay.

How to get to Broughty Castle. — How to get to Broughty Castle

Access & Hours

Castle Approach
Broughty Ferry
Dundee DD5 2TF
Tel: 01382 436916

April to September; Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday 12.30 pm to 4 pm; October to March; Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday 12.30 pm to 4 pm.

By car Dundee Airport is roughly 20 minutes from Broughty Ferry depending on traffic.

From Dundee Station it is just 6 minutes by train to Broughty Ferry Station on the line to Arbroath. From Broughty Ferry Station it is less than 10 minutes on foot to the castle.

Dundee Station on South Union Street has trains to London King's Cross Station in London from Aberdeen via Edinburgh, Newcastle and York Station in York as well as more local ScotRail trains to Glasgow Queen Street in Glasgow via Perth and Stirling as well as connections south to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

If you wish to stay in nearby Dundee try the Sleeperz Hotel Dundee, with three stars and views of the V&A Dundee. Also recommended are the Malmaison Dundee and Holiday Inn Express Dundee.

The Best Western Woodlands Hotel Dundee is in Broughty Ferry. Once a former jute mansion, the 3-star hotel offers breakfast and a pool.

The castle ramparts. — The castle ramparts

Dundee Attractions

Verdant Works, housed in a former jute mill, DCA Dundee and the V&A Dundee are other places of interest in the city of Dundee on Tayside.

Dundee has a connection with comics as the publishers D. C. Thomson & Co are based in the city. The company published such former classic comics as The Dandy and The Beano. A statue of Desperate Dan and other characters from the comics, such as Minnie the Minx and Dawg the Dog can be seen in Dundee city center.