Brechin | |
Scottish Gaelic: Breichinn [1] | |
Scots: Brechin | |
Brechin
Brechin shown within Angus |
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Population | 7,199 [2] (2001 census) est. 6,950[3] (2006) |
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OS grid reference | NO600600 |
Council area | Angus |
Lieutenancy area | Angus |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BRECHIN |
Postcode district | DD9 |
Dialling code | 01356 |
Police | Tayside |
Fire | Tayside |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament | Angus |
Scottish Parliament | North Tayside |
List of places: UK • Scotland • |
Brechin (Scottish Gaelic: Breichinn) is a former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin is often described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese (which continues today as an episcopal seat of the Scottish Episcopal Church), but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era.[4][5] Nevertheless the designation is widely used, with examples being the City of Brechin and District Community Council, City of Brechin and Area Partnership, City of Brechin Civic Trust and Brechin City Football Club.[6]
On the outskirts of Brechin, beside the A90 dual carriageway, is the Pictavia Visitors Centre (covering Pictish culture and displaying several carved stones), a small museum in the former town house, and an Award Winning Tourist attraction the Caledonian Railway (Brechin). Along with the cathedral and round tower, part of the chapel of Brechin's Maison Dieu or hospital survives from the Middle Ages (Historic Scotland).
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The town is well known for its cathedral, with eleventh century round tower (Historic Scotland), one of only two of these Irish-style monuments surviving in Scotland (the other is at Abernethy, Perthshire). The tower was originally free-standing, but is now incorporated in the framework of the cathedral.
The cathedral has been much altered, but still contains medieval work of the 13th and 14th centuries, notable a handsome western tower and processional door.
Education in Brechin is managed by the Education Department of Angus Council. There is one secondary school in the area; Brechin High School and six feeder primary schools; Andover Primary school, Edzell Primary School, Lethnot Primary School, Maisondieu Primary School, Stracathro Primary School and Tarfside Primary School.[7]
Brechin City Football Club plays Scottish League football and are currently placed in the second division. Their ground is called Glebe Park and is situated off Trinity Road. Brechin is also home to the junior football club Brechin Victoria F.C. who play at Victoria Park.