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Forfar

Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Forfar

Forfar is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Letham, 8km from Glamis Castle.

Forfar is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 13,970, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Forfar sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Forfar to your route.

About Forfar

Forfar ( ; Scots: Farfar, Scottish Gaelic: Baile Fharfair) is the county town of Angus, Scotland, and the administrative centre for Angus Council, with a new multi-million-pound office complex located on the outskirts of the town. As of 2021, the town had a population of 16,280. The town lies in Strathmore and is

Read more situated just off the main A90 road between Perth and Aberdeen, with Dundee (the nearest city) being 13 miles (21 km) away. It is approximately 5 miles (8 km) from Glamis Castle, seat of the Bowes-Lyon family and ancestral home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and where Princess Margaret, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, was born in 1930. Forfar dates back to the temporary Roman occupation of the area, and was subsequently held by the Picts and the Kingdom of Scotland. During the Scottish Wars of Independence, Forfar was occupied by English forces before being recaptured by the Scots and presented to Robert the Bruce. Forfar has been both a traditional market town and a major manufacturing centre for linen and jute. Today the main activities are agriculture and tourism around scenic Strathmore. The local glens are visited by hill-walkers, and there are ski-slopes in the mountains. The town is home to a number of local sporting teams, including the League Two football club, Forfar Athletic. The Forfar bridie, a Scottish meat pastry snack, is traditionally identified with the town.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Forfar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Forfar?

Forfar offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Forfar?

Plan your road trip to Forfar with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Forfar as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Forfar located?

Forfar is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 56.6438 latitude, -2.8900 longitude.

What is the population of Forfar?

Forfar has a population of approximately 13,970 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
13,970
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
56.6438, -2.8900

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomScotlandTown

Worth the detour from Forfar

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

castle

Glamis Castle

The childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, steeped in legend and set in the scenic Angus region of Scotland.

8 km · about 15 min drive

museum

V&A Dundee

Scotland's first design museum in a striking Kengo Kuma waterfront building, celebrating the country's rich design heritage.

21 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

St Andrews

Historic university town and home of golf, with a ruined cathedral, medieval castle and the world-famous Old Course links.

34 km · about 40 min drive

mountain pass

Cairnwell Pass

The highest main road in Britain at 670m, where the A93 crosses the Grampians at Glenshee between Braemar and the ski centre. The famously steep Devil's Elbow hairpins lie just below the summit.

42 km · about 50 min drive

restaurant

Anstruther Fish Bar

Multiple UK Fish and Chip Shop of the Year winner on the harbourfront of the East Neuk's prettiest fishing town, frying haddock landed along the Fife coast. Eat on the sea wall watching the boats.

48 km · about 55 min drive

castle

Balmoral Castle

A large estate in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, serving as one of the residences of the British royal family since 1852.

49 km · about 55 min drive

castle

Dunnottar Castle

A ruined medieval fortress on a dramatic rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland.

54 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Forfar

  • 42 kmCairnwell PassThe highest main road in Britain at 670m, where the A93 crosses the Grampians at Glenshee between Braemar and the ski centre. The famously steep Devil's Elbow hairpins lie just below the summit.
  • 65 kmThe Lecht (A939 Old Military Road)Notorious high crossing of the eastern Cairngorms on the 18th-century military road between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, climbing to 637m with roller-coaster gradients: often the first UK road closed by snow.
  • 71 kmCairngorm Mountain FunicularA funicular railway climbing high into the Cairngorms near Aviemore for panoramic alpine views and winter snowsports.
  • 79 kmThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
  • 79 kmCalton HillAn accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
  • 79 kmQueensferry CrossingThe world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Forfar.

Letham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 1,650

Kirriemuir

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 6,160

Friockheim

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 1,010

Brechin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

17 km awayPop. 7,230

Monifieth

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 8,210

Muirhead

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 1,542

Carnoustie

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

19 km awayPop. 11,310

Dundee

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

20 km awayPop. 148,210

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence