Celebrating the Rich Heritage of Angus

ANGUSalive is delighted to announce that the ‘Seven Towns One County’ exhibition is now open. This aims to highlight one aspect of the fascinating heritage of each of the seven towns in Angus, stories you may not have heard before.

Arbroath
Arbroath’s ancient harbour has provided the townspeople with employment, not least in the fishing and engineering industries. The water-power provided by the fast-flowing Brothock Burn led to the establishment of several traditional 19th century industries. Notable among these was the firm of Francis Webster and Sons Ltd who were involved in the production of textiles. We also look at the story of the art commissioned by the Webster family in memory of Second Lieutenant Joseph Frain Webster who was killed in the First World War in 1914.

Brechin
A descendant of James Watt, pioneer of the steam engine, Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, pioneer of RADAR, was born in Brechin. A renowned engineer, the Air Ministry asked Watson-Watt to research the possibility of damaging enemy aircraft using radio waves in 1935. He was able to show that this was impossible but instead suggested using radio waves to detect aircraft in flight. There no doubt that Watson-Watt’s RADAR system helped the Royal Air Force to win the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Carnoustie
Torrington Bell’s vibrant paintings, capturing the Scottish countryside in layers of paint, invite people to look at his vision of the landscape we all know. Following a recent donation, Torrington Bell’s sketchbooks are on display to the public for the first time and you can see the development of his work at different stages, including his preparatory studies for his magnificent paintings.

Forfar
The Lowson and Craik families were central to the jute industry in Forfar. James Alfred Lowson was the son of James Lowson and Catherine Fyfe Craik. After an eventful life being posted as a surgeon to Hong Kong, playing for the cricket team and surviving the tragic sinking of a ship, he became convener of the Public Health Committee and was responsible for many improvements to the public health administration of Forfar. His portrait by famous Dundee artist Stewart Carmichael is displayed for the first time since its restoration earlier this year.

Kirriemuir
Following a recent donation of costumes to the Angus Museums Collection, one of the dresses, a long honey coloured Grecian style evening dress was identified as having been worn by Lady Lyell in a portrait by James McIntosh Patrick. On loan from a private collection, it’s a great opportunity to see this Lady Lyell’s portrait, which took 40 years to complete after the unfinished painting was discovered in a storage room in Kinnordy House.

Monifieth
Working in partnership with Monifieth House of Memories, we explore the eventful story of James F. Low & Co Ltd who ran the Monifieth Foundry which produced textiles machinery. Although this company expanded from a small shed into a 15 acre foundry that employed over 1000 workers and provided equipment to over 28 countries, it is almost forgotten.

Montrose
‘The Old Shore Montrose’ 1830, is on display for the first time since is restoration, to highlight the story of 18th Century profitable trade across the world from Montrose Port. We’ll also look at the portrait of Louis Black, a former slave as well as the artist behind this work James Irvine.

Come along to the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery to find out more about these fascinating stories and see the exciting objects and art that brings these stories to life. Seven Towns One County is open until 8 September.

Seven Towns One County
Exhibition open 7 July – 8 Sep 2018 | Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm
Meffan Museum & Gallery | 20 West High Street | Forfar | DD8 1BB

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