Scottish Castles

Local information

Broughty Castle, Angus and Dundee

Location: Castle Approach, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2TF (map and directions)

Broughty Castle in Broughty Ferry outside of Dundee is a four-storey tower house completed in 1495 by Andrew, 2nd Lord Gray. Broughty Castle was used throughout Scotland’s history as a strategic defensive structure.

Broughty Castle © Trish Steel

History of Broughty Castle

Lord Gray surrendered the castle in 1547 after his defeat at the Battle of Pinkie, at which point English troops fortified the castle. This did not stop Scottish troops from recapturing the castle 3 years later with the help of the French. In 1666 the Gray family sold Broughty Castle, after which point it began deteriorating into a ruinous structure. In 1846 the castle was purchased by the Edinburgh and Northern Railway Company to build a harbour for their railway ferry.

Nine years later, in 1855, the War Office bought Broughty Castle with the intent of using the harbour and property as a defensive location against foreign invaders. 1860 saw significant renovations at Broughty, with the addition of a new wing and a courtyard, along with emplacements for nine guns. Broughty was used for various military purposes until 1949, after World War II.

In 1969 Dundee city council opened Broughty Castle as a museum.

Broughty Castle affords beautiful views of Monifieth Bay and the River Tay. Inside the castle the Orchar Gallery houses the Orchar Collection, one of the most important collections of Scottish Victorian art in the country.

Map and directions

Other castles in Angus & Dundee