Arbroath Harbour
Arbroath · DD11
Amenities
Summary
A working east-coast Scottish fishing harbour — landing fish, smokie smokehouses, red sandstone quaysides, and the ruined Arbroath Abbey behind the harbour entrance.
About this location
Arbroath is a fishing town on the Angus coast, south of Montrose. The harbour is a commercial fishing harbour — boats land catches of white fish and crabs, and the fish is processed locally in the smokehouses that produce Arbroath smokies, a hot-smoked haddock protected by EU geographical indication (continued under UK law post-Brexit). The smokehouses — traditional pitched rel-lid kilns — are visible from the harbour and can be visited.
The harbour is enclosed by two stone piers in red sandstone — Arbroath’s characteristic local building material. The ruins of Arbroath Abbey (1178, where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320) are a short walk up the High Street from the harbour entrance.
For productions, Arbroath gives a compact Scottish east-coast fishing harbour with working fishing boats, a specific food-production tradition (the smokies), and a distinctive red sandstone character. The combination of working harbour, smokehouses, and medieval abbey gives a layered historical depth within a small area. Angus Council handles filming permits.
Access notes
- Parking
- On-site parking available — confirm crew-vehicle capacity with the venue.
- Loading access
- Loading access not listed. Confirm access points, door widths, and lift availability with the venue before the day.
- Public transit
- Arbroath has mainline rail and regional bus connections. Check the nearest station and allow for equipment on-foot from transit.
Ask us about this location
Quick question before you enquire upstream? We often know day-rate ranges, permit lead times, or a direct-to-owner shortcut not shown on the source page.
On the map
Arbroath — drag to pan, scroll to zoom.
FAQ
- Do I need a permit to film at Arbroath Harbour?
- Yes — filming on or around Arbroath Harbour typically requires a permit. Allow roughly 5–10 working days lead time for most UK councils. Interior shoots on private property may also need owner consent.
- Is parking available at Arbroath Harbour?
- On-site parking is available at Arbroath Harbour. Capacity varies — confirm crew-vehicle numbers with the venue before the day.
- How much does it cost to film at Arbroath Harbour?
- Arbroath Harbour sits in the £ band. Typical UK film-location day rates range from under £200 for simple interior shoots to well over £1,000 for period properties and landmark venues. Confirm with the venue directly.
- What crew size is suitable for Arbroath Harbour?
- Arbroath Harbour suits small crews of around 5 or fewer — documentary units, stills shoots, and lean commercial crews.
- Has anything been filmed at Arbroath Harbour before?
- Arbroath Harbour appears on Filmshoot's UK location index because it has a documented track record or strong characteristics for film and photography. Specific production credits aren't displayed unless publicly confirmed by the venue — ask the venue directly or check ScreenSkills and IMDb Locations for verified credits.
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