Monday, 11 October 2010

Firstly a little history...

Broughty Ferry (Brochty in Scots) was originally a small fishing village around the harbour of Partan Craig, or Crab Rock on the Firth of Tay in Eastern Scotland. Its name derives from Brugh or Burgh Tay. Broughty Ferry was a significant fishing and whaling community.  Oil from whales harpooned in the distant waters off Greenland and Canada having been used in Dundee's jute industry.

Broughty Castle (1496) still stands on a shallow tip projecting into the Firth of Tay, and there are modest beaches of sand and stone.  Although fought over fiercely many times in its history, the castle is a museum today.  It now tells of Broughty Ferry's association with fisherfolk and the importance of whaling to the region 

Although the fishing and whaling industries with which Broughty Ferry was once associated are now gone, Broughty Ferry is today an exclusive commuting waterfront suburb of Dundee, into which it was formally incorporated in 1912.  

Before the completion of the Tay Road Bridge Broughty Ferry saw much traffic, the ferry to Tayport serving as the principal route for motor vehicles from Dundee to Fife and the south. 

Although, Broughty Ferry still attracts visitors from across Scotland for its beach (it was once known as "the Brighton of Scotland"), its main draw is its exclusive shops.  In the  streets set out in a grid fashion around Brook Street, the discerning shopper will find individual boutiques and antique shops, fine eateries and coffee shops and all the essential stores you could wish for..

Ah, I am so lucky!