Broughty Castle Museum
Broughty Castle sits imposingly at the mouth of the River Tay. Built in 1496 on a rocky promontory, it has faced many sieges and battles.
Today, Broughty Castle Museum houses fascinating displays on the life and times of Broughty Ferry, its people, the environment and the wildlife that live close by. The Castle has magnificent views over the river, and is only minutes away from Broughty Ferry Beach and Esplanade. It's a 'must-see' attraction if you're visiting Broughty Ferry, and offers something for everyone, with a changing programme of events, activities and displays.
Location
How to Find Us
The City of Dundee is located on the east coast of Scotland, and is easily accessible by road, rail and air.
By Road
Situated approximately 10 minutes drive from Dundee City Centre, Broughty Castle Museum is located on the seafront beside Broughty Ferry harbour, beside Castle Green. Free parking is available at the front of the Castle.
By Bus
There are several bus routes into Broughty Ferry from the surrounding areas, with stops all within walking distance of the Castle itself. For more information on travelling by bus, including the closest stops, please visit the following sites for further information.
By Rail
The Castle is approximately an 8 minute walk from Broughty Ferry Rail Station. Full information on train times and ticket costs can be found at Trainline.com
Galleries
The ‘Broughty Life’ Gallery located on the first floor of the Castle investigates life in the area long before the dinosaurs, right through to the present day.
Meet the delightful Brochtie family and take a journey with them through time. Follow them as they move through the ages to reveal to you what life was like over the last 7000 years. See how food, shelter, jobs, education and recreation have all evolved.
Other highlights include a 5000 year-old food vessel and the model of the rail ferry that connected the trains from Fife to Angus before the Tay rail and road bridges were built.
James Guthrie Orchar was one of Dundee’s most prominent businessmen. A successful inventor, engineer and entrepreneur, today he is remembered primarily as a patron of the arts. His art collection – which contains over 400 paintings, drawings and prints – survives intact and is regarded as one of the most important Victorian collections of Scottish art in the country.
A selection of artworks from the Collection are currently on display.
The display features around 30 paintings, including portraits, landscapes and still lifes by artists of the Robert Scott Lauder Group – William McTaggart, Hugh Cameron, George Paul Chalmers, John MacWhirter, John Pettie and William Quiller Orchardson.
It also includes twentieth century paintings by Alec Grieve, Philip de Laszlo and James McIntosh Patrick.
Located on the third floor of the Castle, this gallery takes you on a journey through the landscape in Broughty Ferry.
Explore the geology and natural history of the area. Find out about the rocks under your feet and the animals and plants that live and have lived in the area over the past centuries.
A physical guide to the Broughty Ferry Local Nature Reserve, the dunes and the beach, the gallery will help you identify what you can see around the castle and in your own back yard!
Learn the story of Broughty Castle’s role in Britain’s coastal defences. See revealing glimpses of the Tay’s defences before the First World War and the history of local volunteer forces associated with the Castle.
Broughty Castle was then an operational coastal fort with a small resident force of artillerymen and royal engineers.
Find out about the part the Castle played during the two world wars in the defence of Broughty Ferry and Dundee.
Make your way to the top of the Castle and enjoy the stunning views over the Tay estuary from our observation room. It provides visitors with the opportunity to do a spot of dolphin-watching during the summer months! Ask at reception about borrowing binoculars, available with a modest cash deposit.
Bottlenose Dolphins can often be seen around the Castle and breakwater at Broughty Ferry Harbour. The grassy area around the Castle can be a good vantage point as the dolphins can sometimes pass quite closely.
Facilities
Shop
A small selection of souvenirs, small gifts and postcards are available from the museum shop.
Toilets
Located on the 2nd floor.
Access
As a fortified and listed building, Broughty Castle has very restricted access for people whose mobility is limited. Due to the spiral staircase in the Castle, we regret that access for wheelchair-users is not possible.
Car Parking
Free parking is available at the front of the Castle.