Monifieth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Monifieth | |
  Monifieth shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 7,900 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Angus |
| Lieutenancy area | Angus |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MONIFIETH |
| Postcode district | DD5 |
| Dialling code | 01382 |
| Police | Tayside |
| Fire | Tayside |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Dundee East |
| Scottish Parliament | Angus North East Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Monifieth is a small town and burgh on the East Coast of Scotland, which ajoins the City of Dundee. Although there is no physical gap between Dundee and Monifieth, it is part of the Angus Council area. The town has a population of about 10,200.
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[edit] History
Monifieth is an ancient settlement, dating back to at least the 9th Century. Stones discovered at the burgh's St Rule's Church indicate that it was a Pictish centre of some importance.
In the early eighteenth century, the main industries included quarrying, weaving within the home and the start of manufacturing of linseed oil at a water-powered mill by the mighty Dighty burn, later named as Milton of Monifieth. Although Monifieth had no harbour, a considerable amount of cargo from coastal vessels was off-loaded on the sands at low tide and moved by horse-drawn vehicles to nearby destinations.
Monifieth railway station opened on 6 October 1838.
Until the 19th Century, Monifieth was a tiny village, but the rise of the local jute industry and the revival of the foundry, saw workers pouring into the town and the population grew from 558 in 1861 to 2,134 in 1901. In 1895 Monifieth was registered at Forfar Sheriff Court as a burgh. Alas, no longer did it hold village status. With the formation of a Council and Officials, it progressed into the next century as a reasonably desirable place to live.
A tramway service was introduced in 1905, with cars journeying into Dundee City centre at regular intervals. This service was welcomed by the many who travelled daily either from the Burgh into the City on business, or the many hundreds who commuted daily to work in the factories and mills.
Moves were made by the council of Dundee to incorporate the burgh into Dundee's boundaries, partly due to its proximity to Dundee and it being seen as somewhat of a suburb of the city as well as the apparent affluence of the burgh. In 1913 a petition signed by the residents was presented before Parliament in London and successfully retained Monifieth's independence. Unfortunately, government legislation meant that in 1975 Dundee become responsible for the Burgh of Monifieth, with the abandoning of all Monifieth Municipal Services.
In 1996, after Local government reorganisation, Monifieth became part of the Angus council area, after being part of Dundee District in the Tayside region for 21 years.
[edit] Monifieth Today
There is a non-24 hour Tesco store, several newsagents, B&Bs and three nursing homes. Monifieth boasts one of the best links golf courses in the area which is used as an Open Championship qualifying course when the Open is at nearby Carnoustie Golf Links. The local youth centre is also host to a vibrant local music scene in the town. 2006 has seen an expansion of housing to the North side of Monifieth, in part due to the upgrading of the A92 to a dual carriageway providing better access to Dundee and Angus. The beach front has also been revitalised with a new children's play area and skateboard bowl. The sand dunes which were one of the town's main features until the 1980s, have disappeared due to coastal erosion, although efforts have been made to recreate these.It's nickname is "Sunny Monifieth".
[edit] Education
There are three schools in Monifieth: Grange Primary School, Seaview Primary School and Monifieth High School.
