Editing Arbroath (section)

==Culture==
The ANGUSalive Community Trust manages Arbroath Library and Art Gallery, Webster Memorial Theatre, [[Signal Tower Museum]], Arbroath Community Centre and Arbroath Sports Centre.

On permanent display in the Corsar Gallery at Arbroath Art Gallery are ''The Adoration of the Magi'' and ''Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness;'' two large oil paintings attributed to [[Pieter Brueghel the Younger]].<ref>[https://artuk.org/visit/venues/arbroath-art-gallery-6037 ArtUK: Arbroath Art Gallery.]</ref> The art gallery and public library are housed within a former school, The Academy, built in 1821 to a design by Dundee architect James Black.<ref name="DSA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=416349 |title=The Academy:DSA Building/Design Report |access-date=27 January 2023 |date=2016 |website=Dictionary of Scottish Architects  |language=en-GB}}</ref> The building was bought for the town by former Provost, David Corsar, owner of a flaxspinning and manufacturing business.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exhibitions |url=https://www.angusalive.scot/museums-galleries/exhibitions/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Angusalive|date=19 October 2022 }}</ref> It was converted by local architect, Hugh Gavin and opened to much fanfare in 1898.<ref name="DSA"/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/arbroathyearbook1899arbr/page/25/mode/1up?view=theater |title=The Arbroath Year Book & Eastern for 1899 Forfarshire Directory |page=25 |publisher=Brodie & Salmond |location=Arbroath |access-date=27 January 2023 |date=2016 |via=[[Internet Archive]]  |language=en-GB}}</ref> &nbsp;

The Webster Memorial Theatre building was opened as ''The Public Hall'' in 1867; James Maclaren of Dundee was the architect. As well as a large hall there was a library, reading-room, museum and smaller hall. The Arbroath Guide newspaper acclaimed the front facade to be "the finest thing in architecture we have in the town".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Public Hall buildings |publisher=The Arbroath Guide and County of Forfar Advertiser |date=23 February 1867 |page=2 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> The first public performance was by a troupe of [[Christy's Minstrels]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Christy's Minstrels |work=The Arbroath Guide and County of Forfar Advertiser |publisher= |date=13 July 1867 |page=2 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> The hall was renamed in memory of First World War casualty Joseph Webster, on his family gifting it to the town in 1919.<ref>{{HEScotland |desc=64 High Street, Webster Memorial Theatre |num=LB51409 |access-date=2023-02-13}}</ref> Besides concerts, the hall was used for political addresses and lectures. [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|HRH Princess Margaret]] reopened the hall in October 1970 as the Webster Memorial Theatre and Arts Centre, after major works and refurbishment.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Royal Accolade for Angus Town's Adventure |publisher=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=23 October 1970 |page=12 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> The front stonework was renovated, the auditorium remodelled and disabled access improved in 2008. The main auditorium seats five hundred.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Graham |date=10 February 2022 |title=Historic Webster Theatre battling to bring back the buzz to Arbroath with rallying call to local fans |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/2996064/webster-theatre-numbers-down/ |url-access=limited |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref> The theatre has featured among others [[Harry Lauder]], [[Jimmy Tarbuck]],<ref name="vis1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.visitscotland.com/library/TheatresinPerthDundeeFife |title=Theatres in Perthshire, Angus, Dundee and Fire |access-date=8 January 2007 |publisher=Visit Scotland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017031203/http://www.visitscotland.com/library/TheatresinPerthDundeeFife |archive-date=17 October 2006}}</ref> [[Charlie Landsborough]], [[The Drifters]] and the [[Chuckle Brothers]] and was the first venue the [[Alexander Brothers]], a Scottish easy listening act, performed in as a professional duo.<ref name="webs1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.footstompin.com/artists/the_alexander_brothers |title=The Alexander Brothers |access-date=10 January 2007 |work=Foot Stompin' Celtic Music |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117131241/http://www.footstompin.com/artists/the_alexander_brothers |archive-date=17 January 2007 <!--DASHBot--> |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 10 year-old [[Marion Angus]] arrived in Arbroath in February 1876, when her father became minister at the Erskine United Presbyterian Church.  An early contributor to the poetry of the [[Scottish Renaissance]], in her early thirties she wrote "The Diary of Arthur Ogilvie" (1897–98) and "Christabel's Diary" (1899) columns for the ''Arbroath Guide'', sardonically chronicling the development of the town, musical concerts, visiting dramatic productions, and Church soirées.<ref>Chalmers, Aimée (2006), ''The Singin Lass: Selected Work of Marion Angus'', Polygon, Edinburgh, p.12 - 15, {{isbn|9-781904-598640}}</ref>

The Angus Black and White Minstrels were the last group in Britain to regularly perform [[blackface]]. In 2005, after pressure from Angus Council, the show began with normal stage makeup and the group changed its name to The Angus Minstrels. The move to stop performing in blackface received wide UK press coverage.<ref name='mins1'>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2005/11/07/newsstory7715420t0.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930152242/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2005/11/07/newsstory7715420t0.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2007 |title=Happy days with minstrels recalled |access-date=9 January 2007 |last=Barnett |first=Ralph |date=7 November 2005 |work=Dundee Courier & Advertiser |publisher=DC Thomson}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lister |first=David |date=8 November 2005 |title=Minstrels face up to boot polish ban |language=en |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/minstrels-face-up-to-boot-polish-ban-l36gp5ctngv |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-01-25 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name="mins2">{{Cite web |last=Bayer |first=Kurt |date=8 November 2005 |title=Minstrels order to stop 'blacking up' |url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=2209882005 |access-date=9 January 2007 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref> The group performed its farewell concert in November 2019 and made a final charitable donation in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strachan |first=Graeme |date=20 April 2019 |title=Angus Minstrels to say farewell to showbiz after almost 60 years entertaining audiences and raising charity money |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/873296/angus-minstrels-to-say-farewell-to-showbiz-after-almost-60-years-entertaining-audiences-and-raising-charity-money/ |url-access=limited |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MacInnes |first=John A. |date=23 May 2022 |title=Arbroath Minstrels bow out with £91,000 presentation |url=https://www.anguscountyworld.co.uk/news/human-interest/arbroath-minstrels-bow-out-with-91000-presentationonecms31777679-023d-47de-b0d7-f03595ac16bf/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Angus World |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Beginning in 1947, a [[procession|pageant]] commemorating the signing of the Declaration has been held within the roofless remains of the abbey (last full-scale event 2005). This was run by the local Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society, now Arbroath Abbey Timethemes, a registered charity, and re-enacts the story and history of the signing. The group also spearhead Scotland's Tartan Day celebrations on 6 April in association with Angus Council as well as educational visits to local schools.<ref name="pag1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2005/04/05/story6984886t0.shtm |title=Preparing for Tartan Day events in Angus |access-date=9 January 2007 |last=Barnett |first=Ralph |date=5 April 2005 |work=Dundee Evening Telegraph |publisher=DC Thomson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108110442/http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2005/04/05/story6984886t0.shtm |archive-date=8 November 2007}}</ref>

Arbroath Male Voice Choir was founded in 1934 and is one of the few remaining male voice choirs in Scotland. The choir sings a mix of songs from classical, through Scottish, show tunes and pop. It performs two main concerts each year, one at Christmas, another in spring. The choir is notable for attracting well known, often international singers to its annual spring concert. These have included, Jamie McDougall, [[Karen Cargill]], [[Gordon Cree]], Cheryl Forbes, Colette Ruddy and the international diva [[Lesley Garrett]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strachan |first=Graeme |date=26 August 2017 |title=Lack of voices may silence Arbroath Male Voice Choir — and 83 years of history |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angus-mearns/497195/lack-of-voices-may-silence-arbroath-male-voice-choir-and-83-years-of-history-forever/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Caroline |date=11 August 2018 |title=Arbroath Male Voice Choir is still striking the right note |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/entertainment/699452/arbroath-male-voice-choir-is-still-striking-the-right-note/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The author Sir [[Walter Scott]]'s famous ''[[Waverley (novel)|Waverley]]'' series of novels includes ''[[Rob Roy (novel)|Rob Roy]]'' and ''[[Ivanhoe]]''. Scott is known to have visited Arbroath three times, and his personal favourite in the series, ''[[The Antiquary]]'' (1816), features fictionalised versions of Arbroath ("Fairport") and [[Auchmithie]] ("Musselcrag").<ref name='walterscott'>{{Cite web |url=http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/links/individualworks.html |title=Walter Scott |access-date=9 January 2007 |date=7 February 2006 |publisher=Edinburgh University Library |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231083406/http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/links/individualworks.html |archive-date=31 December 2006 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status=live}}</ref>

Arbroath has one museum, the former Bell Rock Lighthouse ''Signal Tower''. In 1807 Arbroath became the base of operations for the building of the [[Bell Rock Lighthouse]]. The shore station for the lighthouse – the Bell Rock Signal Tower – was completed in 1813 and acted as a lifeline for the keepers offshore. [[Signal Tower Museum]] was opened in 1974 as a visitor centre, detailing the history of the lighthouse and the town of Arbroath.<ref>[http://www.angusahead.com/AngusListings/TourismAttractions/ArbroathSignalTowerMuseumG6754.asp Arbroath Signal Tower Museum] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719075238/http://www.angusahead.com/AngusListings/TourismAttractions/ArbroathSignalTowerMuseumG6754.asp |date=19 July 2012}}</ref>

[[Hospitalfield House]], a baronial mansion to the west of the town, houses an educational charity promoting contemporary arts.<ref>{{Scottish charity |SC009987 |Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust}}</ref>

The town was twinned with "THE HADDOCK THAT NEVER GOT SMOKED" by the Intercontinental Twinning Association in July 2024 following a short email exchange with [[Bill Drummond]], commemorative signage is due to be deployed later in the year.

===Arbroath smokies===
[[File:Arbroath Smokies - geograph.org.uk - 361994.jpg|thumb|Local Delicacy: The Arbroath Smokie]]
[[Arbroath smokie]]s, known nationally and internationally, have been made solely in Arbroath since the award of [[Protected Geographical Indication]] in 2004, which limits their production to within {{Convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} of [[Arbroath Town House]]. Smokies are made from [[haddock]] by traditional methods dating back to the late 19th century. The fish are first salted overnight to preserve them, then left tied in pairs to dry. Next, the dried fish are hung in a covered barrel containing a hardwood fire. After 45 minutes to an hour of smoking, the fish are golden brown and ready to eat.<ref name='defra1'>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/foodname/pfn/products/registered/arbsm.htm |title=Arbroath Smokie PGI |access-date=8 February 2009 |date=31 March 2004 |work=Protected Food Names |publisher=HM Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225130959/http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/foodname/pfn/products/registered/arbsm.htm |archive-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The preparation of smokies remains a [[cottage industry]] in Arbroath, centred almost exclusively on the harbour area known as Fit o' the Toon. A large processor, R R Spink & Sons, supplied Arbroath smokies to several UK supermarket chains for a number of years, however this was discontinued when the firm concentrated on smoked salmon and trout.<ref name="RRsmokie">{{Cite web |last=Urquhart |first=Frank |date=30 April 2004 |title=New factory revives 'smokie' production |url=http://heritage.scotsman.com/news/New-factory-revives-smokie-production.2515920.jp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605111344/http://heritage.scotsman.com/news/New-factory-revives-smokie-production.2515920.jp |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=8 February 2009 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Spink |first=Iain R |title=The Arbroath Smokie Bible |publisher=Birlinn |year=2013 |isbn=9781780271729 |pages=19 |language=en |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>