Kirkton of Auchterhouse is a small village with a population of around 600. It is situated in Angus, Scotland, some 10 miles north of the city of Dundee.

Its main feature is its altitude, being some 1000 feet above sea level. Rising above the village is Auchterhouse Hill, part of the Sidlaw Hills which stretch towards Perth in the west. Auchterhouse Hill is clearly visible from the Dundee area as one of three hills - it is distinguished by being the only one with trees on it.

There are few facilities in the village. There is a church, a primary school, a playing field and a village hall, but no shops or post office. However, we are within four miles of a multi-screen cinema and a new ice rink!

The village has an interesting history, some of which you may read about in our history section.

Directions

To reach the village, follow the Coupar Angus Road from Dundee, past Camperdown Park, through Muirhead and Birkhill (where the nearest shops are located). Pass the sign for Auchterhouse and turn right shortly afterwards at the sign for Kirkton of Auchterhouse, situated opposite the Old Mansion House Hotel. Climb up for 1.5 miles to reach the village centre.

Bonnyton Road leads off to the left and Tealing Road to the right. Continuing up The Brae there are a number of houses and smaller roads to the right such as Old Whisky Road, Parkside, Pipers Way and Braeside.

The Brae is a no through road, culminating in the former Sidlaw Sanatorium, now luxury apartments.

Sketch Map of Auchterhouse Area

This sketch map shows some of the locations around the Parish of Auchterhouse mentioned in the History as well as the current position. The boundaries of the parish are based on "The Imperial Gazetteer Of Scotland", published by A Fullarton & Co circa 1855:

"Auchterhouse, a parish in the south-west of Forfarshire, bounded on the north by Newtile and Glammis parishes; on the east by Tealing and Strathmartine; on the south by the parish of Liff, and the shire of Perth; and on the west by Lundie parish. Its greatest length is about 4.5 miles, and greatest breadth 3.5. . . There are 3 small villages - Kirktown of Auchterhouse, Dronly and Bonitown...."

Of course things have changed a bit since then - and not all roads are shown on this sketch..

Walks

There is access to Auchterhouse Hill and the Sidlaws from paths up The Brae.

From Auchterhouse Hill there are magnificent views south across the River Tay to the Lomond Hills in Fife, west to Dunsinane Hill, north to Glamis (ancestral home of Queen Mother, mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth) and the Grampians and east to the North Sea.