Brechin

Brechin is a Town in the northeast of Scotland, 26 miles north of of Dundee, 40 miles south of Aberdeen.

Brechin is popular for its Town House Museum, Cathedral, Caledonian Railway for steam trains, Glencadam Distillery and Walking. Brechin Castle is private, under 1 mile south of Brechin, home to Clans Maule and Ramsay.

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The image top is of the Brechin Mechanics Institute when entering the town from the east. The building was opened in 1839, now used for events.

The second image is of the Town House Museum in the town centre at the High Street. The Museum gives information on Brechin from the Bronze Age through the Scottish Wars and on to today. There is also and Art Gallery in the Museum.

Brechin Cathedral is close to the Town House Museum, with the earliest parts built from the 1200s. The Round Tower at the Cathedral was built around the 1100s.

St Ninian's Square is a short distance west of the High Street with a Library and statue of Robert Watt, pioneer of Radar.

By St Ninian's Square is the Caledonian Railway with Steam Trains run by volunteers. This line was built in the 1840s, closed in 1981, then in 1993, a four mile section was re-opened for Steam Trains to run at weekends in summer for tourists.

On the west side of Brechin is the Football Club with its famous Hedge, that serves as a wall down the west side.

The Glencadam Distillery is on the north side of Brechin Centre next to Brechin Park. The distillery was founded in 1825 by George Cooper. Tours have to be pre-booked.

Brechin Golf Club is on the west side of the town, an 18 hole parkland course that welcomes visitors, founded in 1893.

Brechin History

500 BC - a number of Bronze Age Artifacts from around this time were found in the Brechin area. Some of these artifacts can be viewed in the Brechin Town House Museum.

600 AD - Christianity is said to have evolved in Brechin with the arrival of St Dubhoc.

800s - a religious order known as the Culdees had built a church in Brechin.

972 - King Kenneth II gifted lands and property to the religious community in Brechin.

1100s? - the Round Tower was built by the Culdees.

1200s - the earliest parts of Brechin Cathedral are built next to the Round Tower.

1200s - the earliest parts of Brechin Castle were built a short distance south of the Cathedral.

1303 - Brechin Castle was attacked by forces of Edward I of England during the Scottish Wars of Independence. Large stone balls hurled at the Castle can be viewed in Brechin Town House Museum.

1400s - Brechin was hit by the Black Death disease.

1480 - there was a Tolbooth in the centre of Brechin on the High Street that served as a Jail and Courtroom.

1648 - the town was again hit by the Black Death, killing about two thirds of the population.

1690s - the Earls of Dalhousie converted Brechin Castle into a Mansion.

1790 - the Tolbooth was replaced by the Town House that served as a courtroom and debtors prison.

1825 - the Glencadam Whisky Distillery opened in Brechin. Brewing ale was also a part of the towns economy at that time.

1840s - the Caledonian Railway reached Brechin, connecting the town to major cities throughout the UK.

1853 - a late Bronze Age Hoard with four swords, a spearhead, and a chape were found on the lands of Cauldhame by Brechin.

1870s - Brechin had a paper mill, two flax mills, and five linen factories.

1892 - Sir Robert Watson-Watt was born in Brechin, a pioneer of Radar that was used during World War Two.

1893 - Brechin Golf Club was founded.

1906 - Brechin Football Club was founded.

1981 - the railway to Brechin was closed.

1993 - a four mile long section of the Railway from Brechin was re-opened for Steam Trains to run on at weekends in summer for tourism.

2003 - the Town House was converted to serve as the Brechin Town House Museum.