47 Best Sights in Fife and Angus, Scotland

As is the style in Angus, the local museum doubles as the visitor center, meaning you can get all the information you need while admiring a few stuffed birds and artifacts, including the Glasswell coin hoard. Rock fans will appreciate the exhibit celebrating a local lad made good (or rather bad), the late Bon Scott, original lead singer of the rock band AC/DC.

For sweeping views of the city, the Angus Glens to the north, and Fife's coastline to the south, head up to Dundee's very own extinct volcano. This 1,640-feet-above-sea-level hill (law means hill in Scots) has a World War II memorial, parking lot, and seating area.

The high point of a visit to Fofar is the Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, which displays an interesting collection of Pictish carved stones, a recreation of Forfar's cobbled street The Vennel, and artifacts from the dark days of burning witches. Two galleries host frequently changing exhibitions by leading local and Scottish artists. The museum also houses a tourist information desk.

The town of Meigle, in the wide swathe of Strathmore, has one of the most notable collections of sculpted stones in western Europe, housed at the Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum. It consists of some 25 monuments from the Celtic Christian period (8th to 11th century), nearly all of which were found in or around the local churchyard. The large 9th-century prayer cross-slab known as Meigle 2 shows Daniel in the lions' den. Local legend holds the slab marked the grave of Guinevere, wife of King Arthur; in the story, Arthur sentences her to death by being torn apart by wild animals.

Run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Montrose Basin Local Nature Reserve hosts migrating geese, ducks, and swans. Several nature trails can take you up close to the reserve's residents if you're quiet. In October, at least 20,000 pink-footed geese arrive: come in the morning and the evening to see them fill the sky.

The town's museum—housed in a neoclassical building that also contains the tourist information center—exhibits some fascinating bequests by the local gentry, including an early-19th-century ship carved from bone by French prisoners in the Napoleonic Wars.

Across the Tay River, this charming shoreline suburb has spectacular river views, handsome Victorian architecture, and an interesting collection of independent shops and restaurants, plus some beguiling walks. Once just a small village with cottages, Newport was transformed and renamed "New Dundee" when the city's Victorian jute barons and middle classes made it a fashionable enclave. Dundee's mill workers folllowed suit, traveling on the Fifie steam ferries to escape the cachaphonous and polluted city; you can follow in their brogues and barefoot soles by walking along the Braes Riverside Park. Although the Victorian bathing establishments once there have gone, the ornate 1878 ferry port has been partly restored. You'd be brave to take a dip even on a warm Tayside day, so opt for a sunset sit-down here instead. Head here by bus from Dundee midafternoon to walk the Braes, landscaped gardens, and woodland of nearby Tayfield Estate (aka Berry's Den). Then head to the Boat Brae for refreshments while watching the sunset over the Tay.

Moored next to the Unicorn, you'll see a strange rusting red ship, the North Carr Lightship. After playing a significant role in World War II, Scotland's only remaining lightship was wrecked on the Fife shore during a storm in 1959; seven crew members were lost. The ship is sadly closed awaiting funds for refurbishment but is worth a look from the dock. Donations for restoration welcomed by the Taymara charity, which also runs boat trips.

Just opposite the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, this museum explores the centuries-old relationship between St. Andrews and golf and displays golf memorabilia from the 18th century to the 21st century.

The ruling house of golf worldwide is the spiritual home of all who play or follow the game. Founded in 1754, its clubhouse on the dunes—open to members only, including women since September 2014—is a mix of classical, Victorian, and neoclassical styles; it's adjacent to the famous Old Course.

At the Scottish Deer Centre, many types of deer can be seen at close quarters or on ranger-guided tours. There are falconry displays every two hours, woodland walks, and a café. The zoolike center, west of Cupar, is one of the few places you can spot the red squirrel, as well as wolves, lynx, wildcat, and European brown bear.

In the early 19th century, Arbroath was the base for the construction of the Bell Rock lighthouse on a treacherous, barely exposed rock in the Forth of Tay. A signal tower was built to facilitate communication with the builders working far from shore. That structure now houses the Signal Tower Museum, which tells the story of the lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson (1772–1850) in 1811. The museum also houses a collection of items related to the history of the town, its customs, and the local fishing industry: look out for the 1813 Book of Signals and the witch's eye, a blue-glass buoy hung from the window to ward off evil spirits.

On the shore north of the cathedral stands ruined St. Andrews Castle, begun at the end of the 13th century. The remains include a rare example of a cold and gruesome bottle-shaped dungeon, in which many prisoners spent their last hours. Even more atmospheric is the castle's mine and countermine. The former was a tunnel dug by besieging forces in the 16th century; the latter, a tunnel dug by castle defenders in order to meet and wage battle belowground. You can stoop and crawl into this narrow passageway—an eerie experience, despite the addition of electric light. The visitor center has a good audiovisual presentation on the castle's history. In summer the beach below is popular with sunbathers and tide-pool investigators, weather permitting.

This town's atmospheric cavern, St. Fillan's Cave, contains the shrine of St. Fillan, a 6th-century hermit who lived here. It's up a pend (alleyway) behind the waterfront. If the cave isn't open, ask at the Cocoa Tree on High Street. Those who can are asked to make a donation to cover the upkeep of the spooky, spiritual site.

Local legend has it that St. Andrews was founded by St. Regulus, or Rule, who, acting under divine guidance, carried relics of St. Andrew by sea from Patras in Greece. He was shipwrecked on this Fife headland and founded a church. The holy man's name survives in the cylindrical tower, consecrated in 1126 and the oldest surviving building in St. Andrews. Enjoy dizzying views of town from the top of the 108-foot high tower, reached via a steep staircase.

Scotland's oldest university is the alma mater of John Knox (Protestant reformer), King James II of Scotland, the Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Kate), and Chris Hoy, Scotland's Olympic cyclist. Founded in 1411, the university's buildings pepper the town. For the quintessential University of St. Andrews experience, St. Salvator's Quadrangle reveals the magnificence of this historic institution. Looking out onto this impressive college green is the striking St. Salvator's Chapel, founded in 1450. It bears the marks of a turbulent past: the initials PH, carved into the paving stones under the bell tower, are those of Patrick Hamilton, who was burned alive outside the chapel for his Protestant beliefs.

In a former jute mill, Verdant Works houses a multifaceted exhibit on the story of jute and the town's involvement in the jute trade. Restored machinery, audiovisual displays, and tableaux all bring to life the hard, noisy life of the jute worker. A light and airy café serves Dundee cakes.