Brechin Museum

Located on the ground floor of the former Brechin Town House, on the west side of the High Street in the centre of the town, the Brechin Museum has displays highlighting the history of the town from the 10th Century through to the present day. Opened in 2003, displays feature local industries (distilling, whisky making, textiles and pistol making), the growth of the town, archaeology and local people. There is a small display of works by David Waterson (1870 - 1954), a local etcher and colourist. The museum is actively developing community-based activities.

The Brechin Town House or Tolbooth was first recorded on this site in 1450. This was demolished and replaced by the present building in 1789-90. The building once had a shop, courtroom and prison on the ground floor, while above was the elegant upper hall, known as the Guild Hall, used as the Council Chamber. By the end of the 19th century the building was considered too small for Council business.

A museum was first established by Brechin Town Council in 1846 and housed in the Mechanics Institute. The collection moved to Brechin Public Library in 1976 before making its most recent move to the Town House.


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