The Early History of Montrose
Norman ATKINSON, Forfar: Angus Council 1997

Norman Atkinson has written a lively and entertaining history of the early years of Montrose. He looks at the layout, organization of the burgh, plus the history of the church, the Hospital and the Blackfriars. It is an entertaining and lively look at a little known aspect of Montrose history.

Montrose : It's People
Montrose Society and Angus Council

Published in Dec 2004, Montrose and Its People comprises captioned photographs from the Montrose Society Archive of local people at school, work and play. This book is produced as a joint venture between the Montrose Society and Angus Council. This publication is a collection of watercolours by respected local historian JG Low. These paintings provide a fascinating insight of Montrose in mainly the mid to late 19th to early very early 20th centuries. The subjects dealt with are of street and close scenes mainly of Castle Street and the High Street, mixed with some views of the harbour area. While these watercolours can be viewed purely as pictures of some merit in their own right, they also act as a historical record showing how Montrose used to look and how lives were lived.

Where to Buy: Available from Hogg's, Hillside Post Office, the museum and the library priced £3.95. It is also on sale at the Montrose Society talks.

Montrose, A Selection of Paintings
Montrose Society

This book is produced as a joint venture between the Montrose Society and Angus Council. This publication is a collection of watercolours by respected local historian JG Low. These paintings provide a fascinating insight of Montrose in mainly the mid to late 19th to early very early 20th centuries. The subjects dealt with are of street and close scenes mainly of Castle Street and the High Street, mixed with some views of the harbour area. While these watercolours can be viewed purely as pictures of some merit in their own right, they also act as a historical record showing how Montrose used to look and how lives were lived.

Montrose Past & Present
Montrose Society

Following on from the society photographing the entire Royal Burgh in 1999, this publication builds on that project and gives an insight into the town's heritage, what we have now and just as importantly, what we have lost. Sections include The High Street, Maritime Montrose and The Changing Face Of Montrose. While some aspects of the town have changed dramatically many others have remained almost unchanged.

The Closes of Montrose
Montrose Society

This volume tells the history of the old buildings which still survive with their memories of former times and tells the tales of the provosts, poets, painters, along with the dignitaries and worthies who lived in them.

One of Montrose's special architectural features is the Closes, which link the East and the West elements of the town to its main thoroughfare, the High Street. In his book, J.G. Low vividly described the Closes in both scholarly and lively fashion but a comparison of his words written in 1938 with the reality of today gives great cause for concern. Public access to some of the Closes has been prohibited, particularly in the High Street, and it is clear that a programme to restore and rejuvenate the Closes is required.

It was down the Closes that the wealthy citizens of bygone centuries built their mansions. The Closes are unique, a relic of long ago and a reminder that this is a town with a history which goes back over eight hundred years. (Adapted from the Preface and Foreword).

Whalers of Montrose
Montrose Society

Written by Montrose Academy pupil Sarah Milne, on the hard and little known life and industry of the Montrose Whalers. This is a well written, illustrated and thoughtful book on a very interesting subject.