View source for Forfar

{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country= Scotland
|official_name= Forfar
|type= [[County town]] and [[administrative centre]] 
|gaelic_name= Baile Fharfair 
|scots_name= Farfar
| population = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Forfar}}
| population_ref = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|population_demonym = Forfarian
|os_grid_reference=  NO455505
|map_type=Scotland
|coordinates = {{coord|56.64423|-2.88842|display=inline,title}}
|unitary_scotland= [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]]
|lieutenancy_scotland= [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Angus and Perthshire Glens (UK Parliament constituency)|Angus and Perthshire Glens]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Angus North and Mearns (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Angus North and Mearns]]
|historic_county=
|post_town= FORFAR
|postcode_district = DD8
|postcode_area= DD
|dial_code= 01307
|london_distance_mi = 372
|edinburgh_distance_mi = 49
|static_image_name= View of Forfar and countryside north of Forfar - geograph.org.uk - 654668.jpg
|static_image_width = 250
|static_image_caption= View of Forfar and countryside north of Forfar
|area_total_sq_mi=
}}

'''Forfar''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Forfar.ogg|ˈ|f|ɔr|f|ər}}; {{langx|sco|Farfar}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/farfar|title=Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: SND :: farfar}}</ref> {{langx|gd|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, Angus and Perth & Kinross|Strathmore]] and is situated just off the main [[A90 road]] between [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] and [[Aberdeen]], with [[Dundee]] (the nearest city) being 13 miles (21&nbsp;km) away. It is approximately 5 miles (8&nbsp;km) from [[Glamis Castle]], seat of the [[Bowes-Lyon family]] and ancestral home of [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother]], and where the late [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]], younger sister of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], was born in 1930.

Forfar dates back to the temporary [[Scotland during the Roman Empire|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, Angus|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 [[Scottish League Two|League Two]] football club, [[Forfar Athletic F.C.|Forfar Athletic]].

The [[Bridie|Forfar bridie]], a Scottish meat pastry snack, is traditionally identified with the town.

== Etymology ==
The exact origin of the name ''Forfar'' is uncertain.<ref name="cumming">{{cite book |last1=Cumming |first1=Gershom |title=Forfarshire Illustrated: Being Views of Gentlemen's Seats, Antiquities, and Scenery in Forfarshire with Descriptive and Historical Notices |date=1843 |location=Angus }}</ref> One suggestion is that the name is [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] and means "a cold point", involving, ''fuar'' meaning "cold, chilly", and ''bhar'' meaning "a point".<ref name="cumming" />

==History==
===Early history===
During one of the Roman invasions of modern-day Scotland, the Romans established a major [[Roman camp|camp]] at [[Battledykes]], approximately 3 miles (5&nbsp;km) north of Forfar; this camp was analysed to have held 50,000 to 60,000 men.{{dubious|date=October 2024}}<ref>Alan Reid, ''The [[Royal Burgh]] of Forfar: A Local History'', 1902, Houlston & sons; 445 pages</ref> From Battledykes northward the Romans established a succession of camps including [[Stracathro]], [[Raedykes]] and [[Normandykes]].<ref>[http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18037 C. Michael Hogan, ''Elsick Mounth'', Megalithic Portal, ed Andy Burnham (2007)]</ref>

===Middle Ages===
During the Middle Ages, a "claimant" to the throne, the daughter of the leader of the [[Meic Uilleim]], who were descendants of King [[Duncan II of Scotland|Duncan II]], had her brains dashed out on Forfar market cross in 1230 while still an infant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/chronicondelaner00mait#page/n79/mode/2up|title=Maitland Club, Edinburgh 1839|year=1839|publisher= Lanercost Chronicle|pages=40–41 |language=la}}</ref>

During the [[First War of Scottish Independence]], the [[Forfar Castle|castle of Forfar]] was held by the English. After [[Robert the Bruce]]'s victory over the [[Earl of Buchan]], Philip, the Forester of Platane, together with some of his friends, raised ladders against the wall and, climbing over, surprised the garrison and killed them. He then yielded the castle to Bruce, who rewarded him and gave instructions for its [[slighting]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Barbour|first=John|title=The Brus|year=1856|publisher=The Spalding club|url=https://archive.org/details/brusfromacollat00barbgoog}}</ref>

===Early modern history===
During the 16th and 17th century, several [[Forfar witch trials|witch trials took place in Forfar]], the last of which took place in 1662 and in which 52 people were accused. At the time, Forfar was a town of around 1000 inhabitants, with an additional 2000 people residing in the county.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Claire |last2=Venditozzi |first2=Zoe |title=How to Kill a Witch |date=2025 |publisher=Hatchett |isbn=9781800961883}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Strachan |first1=Graeme |title=Forfar Witch Trials: Suffering of executed women to be recognised in 'historic' service |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3815965/forfar-witches-memorial-service-1661-1662/ |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson Co Ltd |date=26 October 2022}}</ref>

Like other parts of [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]], Forfar was home to a very successful textile industry during and after the [[Industrial Revolution]]. In the late 18th century the firm of William Don & Co. (later William and John Don & Co) was founded in the town. The firm originally bought and sold webs of linen which were woven in local cottages, although it also operated a small weaving shed. In 1865 the firm merged with A J Buist, a [[Dundee]] based firm, and began construction of St James Works in Forfar. The partnership also operated mills in Dundee and later built Station Works in Forfar, which contained some 300 looms. Workers' housing was built by the firm in Forfar. Don Brothers, Buist & Company Ltd, as the firm was known from 1904, built another works in Forfar, at Strang Street, in 1929. In 1960 it merged with another Dundee firm, Low Brothers & Co (Dundee) Ltd, eventually becoming Don & Low (Holdings) Ltd. By the 1980s the Don & Low group was the United Kingdom's biggest polypropylene textile extrusion and weaving unit. The firm retains premises in Forfar, mainly producing woven and non-woven [[polypropylene]] industrial textile products and plastic food packaging.<ref name="Don & Low Holdings">{{cite web|title=Archive Services Online Catalogue Don & Low (Holdings) Ltd|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqSearch=(RefNo==%27MS%20100%27)|publisher=[[University of Dundee]]|access-date=21 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Don Brothers, Buist & Co">{{cite web|title=Archive Services Online Catalogue Don Brothers, Buist & Co. Ltd, Spinners and manufacturers, Dundee and Forfar, and Don & Low (Holdings) Ltd|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqSearch=(RefNo==%27MS%20100/1%27)|publisher=[[University of Dundee]]|access-date=8 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=Whatley>{{cite book|last=Whatley|first=Christopher A.|title=Onwards from Osnaburgs: the rise & progress of a Scottish textile company, Don & Low of Forfar 1792–1992|year=1992|publisher=Mainstream|location=Edinburgh|isbn=1-85158-509-5}}</ref><ref name="Don&Low">{{cite web|title=Don & Low|url=http://www.donlow.com/|publisher=Don & Low|access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref> In 1958 Don Brothers, Buist & Co Ltd acquired a controlling interest in another Forfar based-textile firm, Moffat & Son Ltd, who operated Haugh Works in South Street.<ref name="Moffat">{{cite web|title=MS 100/3 Moffat & Son Ltd, Manufacturers, Forfar|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=%28RefNo%3D%27ms%20100%2F3%27%29|website=Archive Services Online Catalogue|publisher=University of Dundee|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> Another important Forfar textile firm was J & A Craik & Company, Linen and Jute Manufacturers, which was based at the Manor Works. Craiks was started in 1863 when James Craik obtained land in Forfar to build the Manor Works and the company survived until 1981, the year in which it became part of the Low and Bonar group.<ref name=Craiks>{{cite web|title=MS 74 Craiks Limited, Linen and Jute Merchants and Manufacturers, Forfar|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=1&dsqSearch=((text)=%27ms%2074%27)|work=Archive Services Online Catalogue|publisher=University of Dundee|access-date=8 December 2014}}</ref> Craiks owned Forfar Fabrics Ltd, incorporated in 1965, which amalgamated with Low & Bonar Textiles Limited in 1981.<ref name="Fabrics">{{cite web|title=MS 24/13 Forfar Fabrics Ltd|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=%28RefNo%3D%27MS%2024%2F13%27%29|website=Archive Services Online Catalogue|publisher=University of Dundee|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> The jute manufacturers, John Lowson, Jnr & Co Ltd, also operated in Forfar, operating out of Victoria Works.<ref name="Lowson">{{cite web|title=MS 66/8 John Lowson, Jnr & Co Ltd, Jute Manufacturers, Forfar|url=http://arccat.dundee.ac.uk/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=%28RefNo%3D%27MS%2066%2F8%27%29|website=Archives Services Online Catalogue|publisher=University of Dundee|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Jute&Canvas">{{cite book|title=The Jute & Canvas Trades Year-book & Directory 1946|date=1946|publisher=British Continental Trade Press|location=London|page=89}}</ref>

[[File:Forfar tablica.JPG|thumb|Memorial plaque to the Polish Army in Forfar]]

The [[Meffan Institute|Meffan Museum]] is in the heart of the town. It was built by a daughter of the Provost Meffan as a bequest in 1898. It is home of the Forfar story. It is also an art gallery and a meeting place for local speakers, summer clubs for children and groups. The story of Forfar takes visitors from the history of the little cobbler shops to the burning of the witch [[Helen Guthrie (Accused Witch)|Helen Guthrie]]. There is also a good selection of Pictish stones found in and around Forfar and Kirriemuir. The Large Class I [[Pictish stone]], with a rare carving of a flower, is called the [[Dunnichen Stone]]. It was found in the early 19th century when a farmer from the East Mains of [[Dunnichen]] was ploughing. It was initially displayed at a church in the vicinity, then at Dunnichen House. In 1966 it was relocated at [[St Vigeans]] and finally moved to [[McManus Galleries|Dundee museum]] in 1972. After the Meffan Institute had been renovated it was brought to Forfar on a long-term loan where it is displayed alongside the [[Kirriemuir Sculptured Stones]]. There is a canoe, excavated from Forfar Loch, that dates back to the 11th century (one of two that were found).

===Modern history===
In 1911 more than 20% of workers in Forfar were employed in the [[jute]] industry. Employment levels in this industry generally dramatically declined in other parts of [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]], including Dundee, during the next four decades. Notably in Dundee, the centre of the British jute industry, more than 40.4% of the working population had worked in the jute industry in 1911, but by 1951 this had fallen to just 18.5%. In Forfar, however this trend was not followed as percentage of the workforce employed in the jute industry had actually risen to 24.4% by 1951.<ref name=Carstairs>{{cite book|last=Carstairs|first=A. M.|title=The Tayside Industrial Population 1911–1951|year=1974|publisher=Abertay Historical Society|location=Dundee|pages=33–34}}</ref>

In the town there is a metal plaque to [[Władysław Sikorski|General Sikorski]] and the Polish troops commemorating the visit of King [[George VI]] and [[Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth]] to the town on 7 March 1941. The plaque is located on a wall on Market Street below [[Forfar Sheriff Court]]. It was here on 7 March 1941 that the royal couple, along with General Sikorski, took the salute in the march past of the Polish troops.<ref>{{cite web|title=Polonica in Scotland, Forfar, Angus|url=http://www.ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk/PolonicaForfar.html|publisher=ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk|access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref>

Queen Elizabeth II and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] visited the town and surrounding area in 2004 (the first time in around 30 years) and again in 2011. HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, visited the town in April 2012 to take the salute of the Black Watch during the regiment's homecoming parade, marking its return from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

==Governance==
[[File:The Cross - geograph.org.uk - 405749.jpg|thumb|[[Forfar Town and County Hall]]]]

Forfar is a parish, town and former royal burgh. The meeting place of the burgh was the [[Forfar Town and County Hall]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|desc=Forfar Town and County Hall, Cross|num=LB31496|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> It is the county town of Angus, which was officially known as Forfarshire from the 18th century until 1928.<ref>{{cite news|title=Forfarshire's New Name|newspaper=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=1928-10-24|page=8|issue=45032|quote=It was last May that the Forfarshire County Council passed a resolution...}}</ref> The town is represented within [[Angus Council]] by the Forfar & District ward, from which four councillors are elected. The members elected from this ward are, as of 2021; Lynne Devine ([[Scottish National Party]]), Braden Davy ([[Scottish Conservative and Unionist]]), Colin Brown (Independent) and Ian McLaren (Independent).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.angus.gov.uk/councillors|title=Councillors|website=Angus Council}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Road===
The town is located just off the main [[A90 road|A90]] [[Dundee]] to [[Aberdeen]] road; having once passed through the town centre, the bypass was completed in 1987.

===Railway===
The nearest stations to Forfar are {{rws|Dundee}}, {{rws|Carnoustie}} and {{rws|Arbroath}}, which are all around {{convert|14|mi|km}} away. Connections to the rest of Scotland are available on the [[Edinburgh–Dundee line]]; the [[Glasgow–Dundee line]], via [[Perth railway station, Scotland|Perth]]; and the [[Dundee to Aberdeen line]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables |work=ScotRail |date=May 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023 |url= https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables |quote=}}</ref>

The town was once served by [[Forfar railway station]], which ran goods and passenger lines until 3 September 1967 when it closed for passenger transport as part of the [[Beeching cuts]]; a goods line from Perth continued until 1982. The station was located on the main line of the [[Caledonian Railway]] from [[Buchanan Street railway station|Glasgow Buchanan Street]] to [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]], which was the furthest north link in the chain of the [[West Coast Main Line]] from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]]. Lines also went to Dundee, Arbroath, [[Brechin railway station|Brechin]] and Kirriemuir. The station has since been demolished and replaced by a small housing estate. However, a major [[locomotive]] shed remains and is in use for vehicle body manufacture. Some bridges and cuttings still survive but the site of the goods station, which was the town's original railway station before the one near the [[County Buildings, Forfar|County Buildings]] was built, is now mainly residential properties.

===Buses===
Local bus services are operated predominantly by [[Stagecoach Strathtay]], Moffat & Williamson and JP Coaches. Key routes connect the town with [[Dundee]], [[Kirriemuir]], [[Edzell]] and [[Arbroath]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forfar Bus Services |work=Bus Times |date=2023 |access-date=20 October 2023 |url= https://bustimes.org/localities/forfar |quote=}}</ref>

==Climate==
As with most of the [[British Isles]], Forfar has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''). The nearest weather station to Forfar is located around 3 miles (5&nbsp;km) north of Forfar, and is {{convert|91|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]].

{{Weather box
| width =  <!-- Width parameter for wikitable, default width=90%. Leave blank for wikitable with no width defined. Set width=auto to fit the table in the next available space automatically. -->
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Forfar (91 m asl, averages 1991–2020)
| Jan record high C = 14.4
| Feb record high C = 14.8
| Mar record high C = 21.5
| Apr record high C = 22.7
| May record high C = 24.0
| Jun record high C = 28.1
| Jul record high C = 28.5
| Aug record high C = 28.2
| Sep record high C = 25.3
| Oct record high C = 21.2
| Nov record high C = 16.7
| Dec record high C = 14.8
| year record high C = 28.5
| Jan high C = 5.8
| Feb high C = 6.6
| Mar high C = 8.7
| Apr high C = 11.2
| May high C = 14.3
| Jun high C = 17.0
| Jul high C = 18.8
| Aug high C = 18.6
| Sep high C = 16.1
| Oct high C = 12.3
| Nov high C = 8.5
| Dec high C = 5.9
| year high C = 12.0
| Jan mean C = 2.8
| Feb mean C = 3.5
| Mar mean C = 5.0
| Apr mean C = 7.2
| May mean C = 10.0
| Jun mean C = 12.6
| Jul mean C = 14.4
| Aug mean C = 14.2
| Sep mean C = 12.0
| Oct mean C = 8.8
| Nov mean C = 5.3
| Dec mean C = 2.8
| year mean C = 8.2
| Jan low C = -0.2
| Feb low C = 0.3
| Mar low C = 1.8
| Apr low C = 3.2
| May low C = 5.6
| Jun low C = 8.3
| Jul low C = 9.9
| Aug low C = 9.7
| Sep low C = 7.9
| Oct low C = 5.2
| Nov low C = 2.0
| Dec low C = -0.2
| year low C = 4.4
| Jan record low C = -18.9
| Feb record low C = -18.4
| Mar record low C = -14.1
| Apr record low C = -6.9
| May record low C = -3.7
| Jun record low C = -1.3
| Jul record low C = 1.8
| Aug record low C = 1.1
| Sep record low C = -2.2
| Oct record low C = -7.6
| Nov record low C = -13.8
| Dec record low C = -19.1
|year record low C = -19.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 79.1
| Feb rain mm = 54.8
| Mar rain mm = 57.2
| Apr rain mm = 49.7
| May rain mm = 52.9
| Jun rain mm = 66.1
| Jul rain mm = 67.5
| Aug rain mm = 75.5
| Sep rain mm = 61.9
| Oct rain mm = 98.9
| Nov rain mm = 81.0
| Dec rain mm = 74.6
| year rain mm = 818.9
| unit rain days = 1 mm
| Jan rain days = 12.7
| Feb rain days = 10.5
| Mar rain days = 9.5
| Apr rain days = 9.2
| May rain days = 11.0
| Jun rain days = 12.0
| Jul rain days = 9.4
| Aug rain days = 9.8
| Sep rain days = 11.1
| Oct rain days = 12.1
| Nov rain days = 12.3
| Dec rain days = 11.3
| year rain days = 
| Jan sun = 51.1
| Feb sun = 77.5
| Mar sun = 113.5
| Apr sun = 161.1
| May sun = 195.7
| Jun sun = 159.0
| Jul sun = 166.7
| Aug sun = 156.2
| Sep sun = 122.5
| Oct sun = 98.0
| Nov sun = 63.3
| Dec sun = 46.5
| year sun = 1411.0
| source = [[Met Office]] (rainy days 1981–2010)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gfjfmqukv |title=Forfar No 3 (Angus) UK climate averages |publisher=Met Office |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200318112910/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gfjfmqukv |archive-date=18 March 2020}}</ref>
}}

==Local sport==
===Football===
The town is home to semi-professional [[association football|football]] club [[Forfar Athletic F.C.|Forfar Athletic]], who are members of the [[Scottish Professional Football League]] and currently play in [[Scottish League Two|League Two]] and two [[Scottish Junior Football Association|SJFA]] clubs, [[Forfar West End F.C.|Forfar West End]], and [[Forfar United F.C.|Forfar United]], who both currently play in the [[Midlands Football League]]. Forfar Athletic's ground, [[Station Park, Forfar|Station Park]], plays host to matches featuring [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] Reserves.

Youth and women's football is available in the town, with Forfar Boys F.C (boys only), Lochside Boys F.C<ref>http://www.lochsideboysfc.co.uk {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712120546/http://lochsideboysfc.co.uk/ |date=12 July 2013 }}</ref> (boys only) and [[Forfar Farmington F.C.|Forfar Farmington F.C]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forfarfarmington.com/|title=Forfar Farmington Football Club – North East's Girl's & Women's Football since 1984}}</ref> (boys, girls and women). All the clubs have SFA Quality Mark Award at some level.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

===Rugby league===
Forfar has a [[Scottish National League (rugby league)|National League]] rugby league team, the [[Strathmore Silverbacks]], who share Inchmacoble Park as their home ground with the local rugby union team.

===Rugby union===
Rugby Union is represented in the town by [[Strathmore RFC|Strathmore Rugby Football Club]], who play their home games at Inchmacoble Park, beside Forfar Loch. The club has men's and ladies' teams.

===Golf===
The Forfar Golf Club,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forfargolfclub.co.uk/ |title=Home |website=forfargolfclub.co.uk}}</ref> founded in 1871, has the fourth oldest 18 hole course in the world, and is the first club to have an 18-hole course from inception and inauguration. The course was designed by [[Old Tom Morris|Tom Morris Snr]], and in 1926 alterations recommended by five time [[Open Championship]] winner [[James Braid (golfer)|James Braid]] were implemented. The letter with Braid's recommendations is on display in the clubhouse.

The Forfar Golf Club has hosted the [[Scottish PGA Championship]] twice, once in 1932 and again in 1966.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forfargolfclub.co.uk/course-2/history/|title = History}}</ref>

===Cricket===
Strathmore Cricket Club,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://strathmorecc.intheteam.com/modules/page/page.aspx?type=home&mid=12181&pmid=0 |title=Strathmore Cricket Club |access-date=13 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713050232/http://strathmorecc.intheteam.com/modules/page/page.aspx?type=home&mid=12181&pmid=0 |archive-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> founded in 1862, has played at Lochside Park since 1873.

===Other sports and facilities===
The town has a dedicated community campus. 

There is a skatepark near the Forfar loch. Forfar has an ice rink which was built in the early 1990s and this is home to the local curling club.

There are three [[Bowls|bowling]] clubs in Forfar: Forfar Bowling Club, Canmore Bowling Club and Forfar Indoor Bowling Club. Both Forfar Bowling Club and Canmore Bowling Club have outdoor bowling greens.

Forfar Loch is home to Forfar Sailing Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forfarsailingclub.org.uk/portal/ |title=FORFAR SAILING CLUB - Home |access-date=2007-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912055917/http://forfarsailingclub.org.uk/portal/ |archive-date=12 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Angus Gliding Club operates at Roundyhill, between Glamis and Kirriemuir.

==Education==
Forfar has three primary schools:
*Whitehills Primary School on Service Road contains a Gaelic Medium Unit where pupils are educated exclusively through the medium of [[Scottish Gaelic]]. The head teachers are Coureen Peters & Elaine Gallon (acting).
*Strathmore Primary School is on St James' Road. The head teacher is Jennifer Garnes.
*Langlands Primary School is on Glamis Road. The school reopened in May 2009 after the demolishing of the original buildings and an extensive period of rebuilding and landscaping. The head teacher is Jayne McLean.

There is one secondary school in the town:
*[[Forfar Academy]] on Taylor Street is one of the largest schools in Angus, with a roll of around 1,200 pupils.

In 2007, the Forfar-Carnoustie Schools Project made major changes to schools in Forfar, with closure of the following primary schools:

Chapelpark Primary School on Academy Street (the former Forfar Academy) opened in 1967 and was active for 40 years before closing in 2007. The pupils were re-located to Strathmore Primary and Whitehills Primary. The building continued in use as a school, initially by Whitehills Primary until their new school was completed in early 2008. It was then home to Langlands Primary, until the new school on that site was completed in May 2009. In 2016 it was decided that it would be turned into an apartment block, ad work was completed in the summer of 2018.

Kirkriggs Primary School in St. James' Road was closed in 2007. Pupils were re-located to Langlands until the new school on this site (Strathmore Primary) was completed in early 2008.

Wellbrae Primary School closed in 2007. Pupils were sent to Chapelpark Primary School and later to Whitehills Primary School. The play areas of Wellbrae were all concrete. In 2016, it burned to the ground in an arson attack.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://stv.tv/news/tayside/1370817-two-boys-charged-over-fire-that-gutted-former-primary-school/| title=Two boys charged over fire that gutted former primary school| date=24 October 2016| publisher=STV News| access-date=24 October 2018}}</ref>

==Healthcare==
The local community hospital, the Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre, was built on the site of the old Whitehills Hospital building (the former hospital for infectious diseases) and opened in Spring 2005. The new hospital replaced [[Forfar Infirmary]], formerly the town's main hospital, as well as Whitehills Hospital. The Infirmary has since been completely demolished.<ref name=hh>{{cite web|url=https://historic-hospitals.com/gazetteer/angus/|title=Forfar Infirmary|date=26 April 2015|publisher=Historic Hospitals|access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>

The Fyfe-Jamieson maternity hospital closed some time ago; it was across the road from the Forfar Academy, but the site has since been built over with houses.

==Places of worship==
[[Image:Lowson Memorial Forfar.JPG|thumb|right|220px|Lowson Memorial Church]]
Forfar has three [[Church of Scotland]] congregations:

*East and Old Church was originally the parish kirk, with a tall slender spire and steeple clock overlooking the town centre. It is a category B listed building and was refurbished in early 2017. The church is situated in the town centre and offers a mixture of traditional and contemporary worship.
*Lowson Memorial Church, off Montrose Road, is a [[category A listed]] church in late Scots [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic]] style built in 1914 by [[Alexander Marshall Mackenzie|A Marshall Mackenzie]], who also designed [[Crathie Kirk]]. The church contains notable stained glass windows by Douglas Strachan. The church serves the east side of Forfar, and provides a mix of traditional and contemporary styles of worship.
*St Margaret's Church, in the West High Street, was originally a free kirk.

It had been decided (by a Church of Scotland arbiter) that the East and Old Parish Church would close, and the congregation would move to St. Margaret's Church. This was brought back for discussion at Angus Presbytery due to a large vote against this decision. Now the East and Old and St Margaret's are to remain individual churches as they have always have been.

The East & Old Church is built on the site of the original place of worship that some of the monks of Restenneth Priory built hundreds of years before the one today. The adjoining graveyard has famous 'residents' such as botanist George Don, quite a few scholars and a man who blamed the witches of Forfar for poisoning him after ill words were exchanged between them.

[[Image:Forfar East and Old Parish Church.JPG|thumb|right|220px|Forfar East and Old Parish Church]]

The steeple is a focal point of Forfar, visible when entering the town from any direction. Although abutting the East & Old building, it is owned by the 'Town' and is not formally part of the church property; it is all but certain to be retained following any disposal of the church building.{{citation needed|reason=all but certain to be retained|date=November 2022}}

The town has churches of other denominations, including:

* St John the Evangelist [[Scottish Episcopal Church]], East High Street, was designed by Sir R Rowand Anderson and consecrated in 1881. [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon]], later to become [[Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother]], was confirmed in this church.
* St Fergus Roman Catholic Church
* Forfar Community Church at Wellbraehead on part of the old school site

There is a Kingdom Hall of [[Jehovah's witnesses]].

== Other items of interest ==
[[Image:The Stag Forfar.JPG|220px|thumb|The Stag Forfar]]

The town is traditionally identified with the [[Bridie|Forfar bridie]], a meat pastry snack. A recipe for the Forfar bridie was featured in ''Maw Broon's Cookbook''.

The Forfar Loch Country Park is visited by locals as a walking venue. It is said that the Forfar Loch extended over much more of Forfar in the 1800s, going as far up as Orchardbank and Wellbrae. A drainage project brought the water level down. In about the same time period the loch was used to dump raw sewage; this practice is no longer continued: it is now treated sewage.

The town holds many events throughout the year such as the bi-annual Forfar Mara-Fun, which raises money for charity, and the annual Forfar Food Festival, highlighting some of the local food. There is also a monthly [[farmers' market]].

Forfar is home to the Strathmore Mineral Water Co., Ltd., a bottled mineral water producer now run by AG Barr. The company's products are shipped worldwide.

Forfar is known for the "coo o Forfar". A householder left a tub of beer in the doorway to cool, and a passing cow drank it. When the owner of the cow was charged for the beer, a [[baillie]] ruled that if the beer was drunk at the doorway it was "deoch an doras" or "stirrup cup", to charge for which would be an insult to Scots hospitality. This became a byword: "Be like the coo o Forfar, an tak a stannin drink".<ref>Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable</ref>

==Public services==
[[Image:Forfar Reid Hall.JPG|thumb|right|220px|Forfar Reid Hall]]

Forfar and the surrounding area are supplied with water by [[Scottish Water]] from Lintrathen and [[Backwater Reservoir|Backwater]] reservoirs in [[River Isla, Perthshire|Glen Isla]]. Electricity distribution is by [[Scottish Hydro Electric|Scottish Hydro Electric plc]], part of the [[Scottish and Southern Energy]] group.

Waste management is handled by [[Angus Council]]. From June 2014, there has been a comprehensive [[recycling]] service in place, succeeding the more limited kerbside recycling scheme introduced in 2005. Recyclable waste (encompassing paper, card, cans, plastics and glass) is now collected fortnightly, on alternate weeks with non-recyclable waste, with households having separate bins for each purpose. Garden and [[food waste]] are also collected for separate processing. Roughly two-thirds of non-recyclable material is sent to [[landfill]] at Angus Council's site at Lochhead, Forfar, and the remainder sent for [[incineration]] (with energy recovery) outside the council area.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Angus Council local plan section 37 
 |url=http://www.angus.gov.uk/localplan/localplansection37.pdf 
 |publisher=angus.gov.uk 
 |access-date=2008-09-07 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607014648/http://www.angus.gov.uk/localplan/localplansection37.pdf 
 |archive-date=7 June 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}</ref>

A recycling centre is located at Queenswell Road. Items accepted include, steel and aluminium cans, cardboard, paper, electrical equipment, engine oil, fridges and freezers, garden waste, gas bottles, glass, liquid food and drinks cartons, plastic bottles, plastic carrier bags, rubble, scrap metal, shoes and handbags, spectacles, textiles, tin foil, wood and yellow pages. Angus council publishes details of where and how each product is processed.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Angus Council recycling centres 
 |url=http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1299 
 |publisher=angus.gov.uk 
 |access-date=2009-08-26 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607014659/http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1299 
 |archive-date=7 June 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref> There are also glass banks at the Abbeygate and Tesco car parks.<ref>
{{cite web
 |title       = Angus Council neighbourhood recycling points
 |url         = http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1062#a3
 |publisher   = angus.gov.uk
 |access-date  = 2009-08-26
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090605050840/http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1062#a3
 |archive-date = 5 June 2009
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref> The Angus Council area had a recycling rate of 34.7% in 2007/08.<ref name="kerbside">
{{cite web
 |title       = Angus Council kerbside Recycling Scheme
 |url         = http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1304
 |publisher   = angus.gov.uk
 |access-date  = 2009-08-26
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607014629/http://www.angus.gov.uk/services/view_service_detail.cfm?serviceid=1304
 |archive-date = 7 June 2011
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref>

[[Health care|Healthcare]] is supplied in the area by [[NHS Tayside]]. The nearest hospitals with accident and emergency departments are Arbroath Infirmary<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Arbroath Infirmary
  | url = http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/patients/hospital/ARBROATH_INF.shtml
  | publisher = nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
  | access-date = 2008-09-07
}}
</ref> and [[Ninewells Hospital]], Dundee.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Ninewells Hospital
  | url = http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/patients/hospital/ninewells.shtml
  | publisher = nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
  | access-date = 2008-09-07
}}
</ref> Primary Health Care in Forfar is supplied by several practices, based at Ravenswood Surgery on New Road, Academy Medical Centre in Academy Street and Lour Road Group Practice.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Ravenswood Surgery
  | url = http://www.gpsites.scot.nhs.uk/t/13195/main.htm
  | publisher = gpsites.scot.nhs.uk
  | access-date = 2009-08-26
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Academy Medical Centre
  | url =  http://www.gpsites.scot.nhs.uk/t/13231/home.htm
  | publisher = gpsites.scot.nhs.uk
  | access-date = 2009-08-26
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Lour Road Group Practice
  | url =  http://www.gpsites.scot.nhs.uk/t/13284/home.htm
  | publisher = gpsites.scot.nhs.uk
  | access-date = 2009-08-26
}}
</ref> Forfar, along with the rest of Scotland, is served by the [[Scottish Ambulance Service]].<ref>
{{cite web
 |title=Scottish Ambulance Service 
 |url=http://www.scottishambulance.com/about_us/default.asp 
 |publisher=scottishambulance.com 
 |access-date=2008-09-07 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719163318/http://www.scottishambulance.com/about_us/default.asp 
 |archive-date=19 July 2008 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}} 
</ref>

Since April 2013, law enforcement is provided by [[Police Scotland]] and Forfar is served by [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]].

==Notable people==
[[File:Eilley Bowers.jpg|right|thumb|[[Eilley Bowers]]]]
{{category see also|People from Forfar}}
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
* [[Patrick Abercromby]] (1656{{ndash}}1716), [[antiquarian]] and physician
* [[Eilley Bowers]], in her time, one of the richest women in the United States, and owner of the [[Bowers Mansion]], one of the then-largest houses in the western United States; a Scottish farmer's daughter who emigrated, after converting to the [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS Church]] as a teenager
* [[Willie Brown (footballer, born 1928)|Willie Brown]] (1928{{ndash}}2017), footballer
* [[Peter Ritchie Calder]] (1906–1982), socialist writer, journalist, and academic
* [[James Cook (broadcaster)|James Cook]], BBC journalist
*[[Caroline Doig]] (1938{{ndash}}2019), paediatric surgeon and the first woman elected to the council of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]]
* [[David Don]] (1799–1841), botanist
* [[George Don]] (1798–1856), botanist 
* [[George Duncan (biblical scholar)|George Duncan]] (1884{{ndash}}1965), Church of Scotland minister 
* [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|Prince Edward]], [[Earl of Forfar]]. HRH visited the town in June 2019 after being granted the title in March of the same year. He was presented with an Earl of Forfar [[tartan]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Graham|title=VIDEO: 'Honour' to be named Earl of Forfar says Prince Edward as town welcomes him with bridies, tartan and fiddles|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/926177/video-honour-to-be-named-earl-of-forfar-says-prince-edward-as-town-welcomes-him-with-bridies-tartan-and-fiddles/|access-date=2021-04-10|website=The Courier|date=2 July 2019 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Family|url=https://twitter.com/royalfamily/status/1145699686654853131|access-date=2021-04-10|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tartan Details - The Scottish Register of Tartans|url=https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=12595|access-date=2021-04-10|website=www.tartanregister.gov.uk}}</ref>
* [[Kathryn Findlay]], architect
* [[James Simpson Fleming]]  (1828–1899), banking lawyer
* [[David Ireland (colonel)|David Ireland]], colonel in the United States Army during American Civil War; commanded the 137th New York Infantry Regiment during crucial battles such as the [[Battle of Gettysburg]]; born in Forfar
* [[John Ker (moderator)|Reverend Dr John Ker]], minister of Forfar 1745–1781, moderator in 1776
* [[George Langlands]], footballer (primarily [[Dundee F.C.]])<ref name=litsterprewar/>
* [[Jack Lorimer]], comedian and father of [[Max Wall]]
* [[David McLean (footballer, born 1890)|David McLean]] (1890{{ndash}}1967), footballer, played for both [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], ended his career at Forfar Athletic<ref>[http://www.scottishleague.net/archive/archive107.htm SFAQs: Davie McLean], ScottishLeague.net</ref><ref name="litsterprewar">{{cite journal |author=John Litster |date=October 2012 |title=A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players |journal=Scottish Football Historian magazine |publisher=}}</ref>
* [[George McLean (footballer, born 1898)|George McLean]] (1898{{ndash}}1970), footballer, younger brother of David, ended his career with Forfar Athletic<ref name=litsterprewar/>
* [[A. S. Neill]] (1883{{ndash}}1973), educator
* [[David W. Potter]], sports author
* [[Ian Read]], [[CEO]] of [[Pfizer]]
* [[Enn Reitel]], actor
* [[Bon Scott]], rock n' roll singer from the band [[AC/DC]]
* [[David Taylor (executive)|David Taylor]] (1954{{ndash}}2014), former Joint [[General Secretary]] of [[UEFA]] and Chief Executive of the [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsID=13456&newsCategoryID=1|title=Scottish Football Association}}</ref>
* [[Joseph Wedderburn]] (1882{{ndash}}1948), mathematician, modern algebra, born in Forfar<ref>[http://turnbull.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Wedderburn.html Entry for Joseph Wedderburn] at the Mactutor History of Mathematics Archive</ref>
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->

==Freedom of the Town==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Town]] of Forfar.

{{Incomplete list|date=July 2021}}

===Individuals===
* [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]]: 1956

===Military units===
* The [[Black Watch]]: 1956

<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kczr4AjI270 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Kczr4AjI270| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=QUEEN MOTHER IN FORFAR|date=21 July 2015|publisher=British Movietone |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtfLOOeW9vo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/rtfLOOeW9vo| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Queen Mother's Visit To Forfar To Receive Freedom (1956)|date=13 April 2014|publisher=British Pathé |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090801043309/http://www.forfaronline.co.uk/ Local Community Website for Forfar, Angus]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NO4550?by=centi Photographs of Forfar on the Geograph web site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080214084658/http://forfar.bravehost.com/ History of the town and photographs]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Forfar|short=x}}

{{Angus Towns & Villages}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Forfar| ]]
[[Category:County towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in Angus, Scotland]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]