Brechin
| Brechin | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Breichinn [1] | |
| Scots: Brechin | |
  Brechin Brechin shown within Angus | |
| Population | 7,199 [2] (2001 census) est. 6,950[3] (2006) |
|---|---|
| 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 | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Angus |
| Scottish Parliament | Angus North and Mearns |
Brechin (/ˈbriːxɨn/; 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 which bypassed it in 1976, 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).
Brechin Cathedral
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, notably a handsome western tower and processional door.
Governance
Brechin is represented within Angus Council by the Brechin & Edzell ward, from which three councillors are elected. The members elected from this ward are, as of 2012; Mhairi Evans (Scottish National Party), Bob Myles (Independent) and Jim Houston (SNP).[7]
Education
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.[8]
Sport
Football
Brechin City Football Club plays Scottish League football and is currently placed in the SPFL League One. Its 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.
Notable people
- Sir David de Brechin (d.1320), Lord of Brechin
- Robert Watson-Watt, radar pioneer, born in Brechin
- Joseph Fairweather Lamb, academic and former Chandos Chair of Physiology at the University of St Andrews
- Dame Anne Begg, Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South.
- Brian Keany, artist
- Arthur Davidson, founder of Harley Davidson
See also
Gallery
-
The Cathedral and Round Tower.
-
Door to Brechin Round Tower
References
- ↑ Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland
- ↑ "Comparative Population Profile: Brechin Locality". Scotland's Census Results Online. 2001-04-29. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ↑ "Buplications and Date". General Register Office for Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
- ↑ Beckett, J V, City status in the British Isles, 1830–2002, Historical urban studies. Aldershot 2005
- ↑ "UK Cities". Department for Constitutional Affairs. 2002. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ↑ City of Brechin & District Area Partnership. "Members". Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ↑ Election 2012 Results Ward 2 – Brechin & Edzell, retrieved 9 May 2012
- ↑ "Schools in Brechin". Retrieved 30 June 2008.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brechin, Scotland. |
- Brechin Online Local Community Website for Brechin.
- Caledonian Steam Railway Steam railway in the heart of Brechin.
- Brechin Advertiser - local newspaper
- Brechin Darts
- Brechin Arts Festival
- Brechin Town House Museum
- Brechin Environment
- Brechin Pool
- Maisondieu Primary's page on Scottish Schools Online