Letham, Angus

Letham
Letham
 Letham shown within Angus
Population est. 1580[1] (2006)
OS grid referenceNO528488
Council areaAngus
Lieutenancy areaAngus
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town FORFAR
Postcode district DD8
Dialling code 01307
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK ParliamentAngus
Scottish ParliamentAngus South
List of places
UK
Scotland

Coordinates: 56°37′43″N 2°46′15″W / 56.628654°N 2.77093°W

The Girdlestane, on the northern edge of Letham, a cup and ring mark monument, looking towards Dunnichen Hill

Letham is a village in Angus, Scotland.

Letham is the largest village in Angus, with a population of nearly 2,000. Situated 17 miles (27 km) from Dundee, 5 miles (8.0 km) from Forfar, 10 miles (16 km) from Arbroath and 10 miles (16 km) from Carnoustie.[2]

There are some shops, including two groceries, one of which incorporates the Post Office and newsagent, a primary school, a bakery, a hairdresser, a take-away restaurant, a hotel with a function suite and bar, the Commercial Inn and a widely known craft shop. The village is part of the parish of Letham, Dunnichen and Kirkden. In and around the Village is an extensive pattern of green paths which are kept cut by a group of volunteers, giving the village many and varied places to walk. Highlight of the village year is the Victorian Market, which takes place in early July. The Village Square is closed to traffic for 24 hours, allowing approximately 50 stalls to be set up. The common theme is that stall-holders must wear Victorian dress, their wares being very varied. Anything from antiques to roast-boar can be found. In March and December, Craft Fairs are held, with crafts-people coming from all over Scotland to exhibit their goods. Many organisations and groups exist to enhance village life, the oldest of these being the Feuars Committee, which manages properties, held in trust for the people of the village. The Victorian market and the Christmas decorations, carol singing and visit by Santa are some of the activities that are organized and subsidized by the Feuars' Committee. There is a local drama group which puts on productions every year, working with young people in the village.

Nearby is the village of Dunnichen, which is widely believed to be the site of the Battle of Nechtansmere, and the villages of Bowriefauld and Craichie. To the north of the village there is a Pictish stone with a cup and ring marking, locally known as the Girdlestane. Pictish stones have been found in many sites in Angus.

References

  1. http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/06mye-localities-table3.xls
  2. "Dundee and Montrose, Forfar and Arbroath", Ordnance Survey Landranger Map (B2 ed.), 2007, ISBN 0-319-22980-7
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