Arbroath abbey. The Tironensian (reformed Benedictine) abbey of Aberbrothoc was founded in 1178 by William ‘the Lion’ (buried there, 1214); munificently endowed by him, it became one of the wealthiest and most privileged religious houses, with ‘mitred’ abbots. The declaration of Arbroath was signed there in 1320. After 1502 the abbots were replaced by ‘commendators’ (loyal servants of the crown); with the Reformation, the abbey estates passed to the Hamilton family, while the ruinous buildings became quarry material for much of the modern burgh.

A. S. Hargreaves

Arbroath smokie Smoked haddock; differs from finnan haddock in that it is not split but smoked whole.