Kirkden is a parish, which lies in Angus Council Area, some 6 miles (10 km) east of Forfar and 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Arbroath in Angus.
It is located in the old county of Forfarshire, which disappeared following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
The parish has an area of 21.9 sq. km (8.4 sq. miles). Kirkden has 6 neighbouring parishes; namely Carmyllie, Dunnichen, Guthrie, Inverkeilor, Kinnell and Rescobie. The boundaries of this parish were modified among significant changes recommended by the Boundary Commissioners after the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889.