144-year-old Montrose pier consigned to history as port looks to the future

Montrose Port Authority has won permission to demolish a 144-year-old pier as the booming facility looks to the future. The C-listed pier is at the east end of the harbour’s west quay. The existing stone structure dates to 1882. But port records show a pier was first recorded in 1493 and this was rebuilt in stone in 1631. The present pier was erected on the same spot at a cost of 810 pounds.

It projects almost 30 metres into the mouth of the River South Esk, close to Montrose lifeboat station. However, the stone and rubble pier is now structurally unsafe and out of bounds. It was C-listed more than 50 years ago.

Montrose Port Authority submitted a listed building consent application with Angus Council to demolish the pier. A planning statement set out the reasoning for the move.

The port said one project in its overall masterplan involves the reconstruction of berths 9,10 and 11 to capitalise on the potential of existing infrastructure. “Berths 9,10 and 11 are currently in a state of disrepair and considered unusable for modern needs due to their depth,” said the submission.

The new project will see the straightening of the north quay. In addition, 800 sq m of warehousing and 200 sq m of additional office space will be created.

But the port said keeping the old pier would “compromise the layout and structural integrity of the new docks”.

It added: “This is supported by the condition inspection report which concluded the old pier was unsafe for use due to concerns regarding stability and beyond economic repair.”

Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the application. The regulatory body said that despite it being a loss to the historic environment of Montrose, the plan met national policy in terms of delivering significant economic and public benefits at a regional/national level.

Angus Council officials approved the listed building consent application under delegated powers.

“The old pier is acknowledged as a remnant of the port’s historic fabric, but it is accepted that the heritage significance has been eroded by successive rebuilding associated with the port in the area in which the pier is located,” the authority’s handling report said.

“The loss of the listed structure detailed is regrettable. However, the demolition of this listed structure is considered to be justified on the basis it is essential to enable the wider redevelopment of the port.”

Last month, the port secured permission for a major project at the north end of the town. It is to develop new warehousing and offices on the site of the former Forties Road fire training centre. The scheme will create 20 new small business units and bring traffic improvements to the industrial estate.

This article appeared in the Courier on 22 May 2026