Forfar
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Template:GBdot Forfar is a town of approximately 13,500 people, located in the unitary authority of Angus in Scotland. It is the district capital and administrative centre of Angus and was the county capital of the former counties of Angus and its predecessor, Forfarshire. The town is also the market town for the farms of Strathmore in central Angus.
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History
The town is extremely old. According to Hector Boece, Pictish chiefs met at a castle by Forfar loch to plan how best to repel the Romans who invaded on several occasions between the first and fourth centuries AD.
A "claimant" to the throne, the daughter of the leader of the MacWilliam Clan, who claimed descent from the Royal House of King Duncan II, had her brains dashed out on Forfar market cross in 1215 while still an infant.
Transport
The town is located just off the main A90 Perth to Aberdeen road, which now bypasses the town but once passed through the town. The town had a railway station until 1967 when it closed as part of the Beeching cuts. It was located on the main line of the Caledonian Railway from Glasgow to Aberdeen, which was the furthest north link in the chain of the West Coast Main Line from London. Lines also went to Dundee, Arbroath, Brechin and Kirriemuir. There was a major locomotive shed here too, which is still standing today but appears to be used for industrial purposes. Some bridges and cuttings still survive as well as the site of the goods station, which was also the town's original railway station before the one near the county buildings was built.
Local sport
The town has a senior football club, Forfar Athletic, as well as two junior clubs, Forfar West End and Forfar Albion. There is also a curling team and an ice rink in the town.
Other items of Interest
The town is the home of the Forfar Bridie (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/__121b_oT0QJdpczqscZmINdixoE2vFcY5SptjjNBT13wDrqMU=) This is a semicircular pie, similar to a Cornish pasty in size and shape. The pie filling is always minced beef and onions. The contents of the bridie is indicated by the number of holes in the top; one hole signifies that no onions are in the ingredients and two holes indicates onions have been used.
External links
- Angus Council page on Forfar (http://photos.heremy.com/forfar/)
- Photos of Forfar (http://forfar.cjb.net)
- History of the town and photographs (http://forfar.bravehost.com/)