Arbroath Abbey, in the Scottish town of Arbroath, was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey.

The Abbey, which was the richest in Scotland, is most famous for its association with the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, believed to have been drafted by Abbot Bernard, who was the Chancellor of Scotland under King Robert I.

In 2005 The Arbroath Abbey campaign was launched.

The campaign seeks to gain World Heritage Status for the iconic Angus landmark that was the birthplace of one of Scotland's most significant documents, the Declaration of Arbroath.

Arbroath Abbey was the basis for the description of the ruined monastery of St Ruth in Sir Walter Scott's The Antiquary.

Arbroath Abbey was founded ( 1178 ), and the bishopric of Argyll established ( c. 1192 ) in the same year as papal confirmation of the Scottish church by Pope Celestine III.

In 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was sent by a group of Scottish nobles to the Pope affirming Scottish independence from England.

James Bowman Lindsay was born in Cotton of West Hills, Carmyllie near Arbroath in Angus, Scotland, son of John Lindsay, farm worker, and Elizabeth Bowman.

A new harbour was built in 1839 and by the 20th century, Arbroath had become one of the larger fishing ports in Scotland.

The first modern development in Arbroath was the Abbey, founded by King William the Lion in 1178 for monks of the Tironensian order from Kelso Abbey.

Arbroath was the location of the Battle of Arbroath in 1446.

* Andy Webster ( b. 1982 ), footballer & Scotland international ( 22 caps to date ) – grew up and was educated in Arbroath, prior to his departing for clubs further afield, and his parents still reside in the town.

* on the mainline between Arbroath and Aberdeen was shut in 1967 but 42 years later in May 2009 it was reopened.

He was involved, along with Hamilton, in the removal of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950 and its return to Arbroath Abbey.

The CSA organised the committee that published the Claim of Right for Scotland which held that it was the Scottish people's right to choose the form of government that best suited them ( a long-established principle, first formally stated in the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320 ), and which also recommended the establishment of a convention to discuss this.

His father was John Currie Lauder, descended from the Lauders of the Bass, and his mother was Isabella Urquhart MacLeod McLennan, born in Arbroath to a family from the Black Isle.

Colliston Castle, near Arbroath, Scotland, was built in 1545 by Cardinal Beaton, abbot of Arbroath Abbey.

The estate was granted to John Guthrie and Isabella Ogilvy, his wife, by Cardinal David Beaton, Abbot of Arbroath and Archbishop of St Andrews, on 25 July 1544.

Lines also went to Dundee, Arbroath, Brechin and Kirriemuir.

The Group also moved from RM Condor in Arbroath Angus ( where it was co-located with 45 Commando ) to HM Naval Base Clyde, which is situated near Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute ( both in Scotland ).

Serving in that role only for a short time, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Isles in 1510 and was also Commendator of the Abbeys of Arbroath and Icolmkill.

Gilbert de la Hay was also a signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320.

View of a partially frozen Keptie Pond in Arbroath, with the water tower prominent in the background.

Sometimes, a state wishing to achieve independence from a dominating power will issue a declaration of independence ; the earliest surviving example is Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, with the most recent example being Azawad's declaration of independence in 2012.

Scottish cuisine includes Arbroath Smokie and Haggis ; Irish cuisine features the Ulster fry and Irish Stew and Welsh cuisine is noted for Welsh rarebit.

On 23 April 2011, Arbroath defeated fierce local rivals Montrose 4 – 1 to win the 2010 – 11 Third Division title ; securing Arbroath's first senior honours in their 133-year history and a return to Second Division at their first attempt.

The 16-mile section of the road from Dundee to Arbroath was recently upgraded to dual carriageway standard ; it opened in late 2005 and significantly reduced the journey time between the two towns.

Alexander Hislop ( born Duns, Berwickshire, 1807 ; died Arbroath, 13 March 1865 ) was a Free Church of Scotland minister known for his outspoken criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church.

Neil Arnott ( b. Arbroath, 15 May 1788 ; d. 2 March 1874 in London ) was a Scottish physician.

Inverbervie appears in written history at least as far back as the 12th century AD ; in a document relating to Arbroath Abbey, Simon of Inverbervie is noted as having witnessed a charter transferring the lands of Balfeith to the Abbey.

The celebration and many other events are now run by the Arbroath Abbey Timethemes a local charity, and tells the story of the events which led up to the signing.

MSP Alex Johnstone wrote " Clearly, the Declaration of Arbroath is a literary work of outstanding universal significance by any stretch of the imagination " In 2008, the Campaign Group Chairman, Councillor Jim Millar launched a public petition to reinforce the bid explaining " We're simply asking people to, local people especially, to sign up to the campaign to have the Declaration of Arbroath and Arbroath Abbey recognised by the United Nations.

The ruined Arbroath Abbey, built from local red sandstone

On the death of her husband his wife married a local ( Arbroath ) lawyer she was having an affair with and sold the castle to Captain Alfred Knox.

Arbroath share an old and fierce rivalry with local neighbours Montrose.

Routes served included the Stourbridge Town and St Albans Abbey branch lines, as well as local services between Dundee and Arbroath.

Today, some 15 local businesses produce Arbroath smokies, selling them in major supermarkets in the UK and online.

A series of disagreements between the Chief Justiciary of Arbroath, Alexander Lindsay, third Earl of Crawford, and Bishop James Kennedy of St Andrews resulted in Lindsay sacking the bishop's lands and burning his properties.

The monks of Arbroath Abbey selected Alexander Ogilvy of Inverquharity as his replacement and the insult led to pitched battle in the town, leaving 500 dead, including Lindsay and Ogilvy.

Alexander Stuart Murray ( 8 January 1841 – March, 1904 ), Scottish archaeologist, was born at Arbroath, and educated there, at the Royal High School, Edinburgh and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Berlin.

* A Glimpse of Old Arbroath from Angus Council