Forfar - Peel Memorial & Park

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Forfar Peel Memorial & Park, with Agents sent by Spy HQ around Forfar to stop Minnie Seemeet's plan to replace the town's bridies with pasties by finding clues that reveal a code to deactivate her machines.

The operation covers 2.4 miles and should take 2+ hours to complete. You'll begin at Myre car park on Myre Road, investigate town centre streets, pass through High Street and Buttermarket, head towards East & Old Parish Church, tackle Little Causeway and Oosnaburg Street, climb up to Reid Park, visit the play park near Green Street, then loop back towards the start.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route follows pavements, quiet roads and clear paths, but Agents should expect some steep hills, including a steep climb up to Reid Park and other uphill sections. There are cobbled sections at Little Causeway and Oosnaburg Street, steps in the church and play park area, a step-free exit next to the car park at the play park, and step-free access to the church a little further along High Street.

Cross roads carefully at several points, and take particular care near the open, unfenced water by the play park - keep well away from the water's edge. If East & Old Parish Church is open, enter through the gates on the right.

Getting There

By car: Start your operation at Myre car park, Myre Road (DD8 1AZ). At the end of the mission, take the next right along Myre Road to safely reach where you began.

By public transport: Make your way to Myre car park on Myre Road to begin the mission. The circular route brings you back towards the same area once Minnie's pasty-powered plot has been stopped.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found on Buttermarket, High Street next to Clue 06, making them a handy mid-mission pit stop for Agents who like to plan their comfort breaks as carefully as their codebreaking.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome on this mission 🐾

The route includes pavements, quiet roads, clear paths, steep hills, cobbles, walled paths and several road crossings, so keep canine recruits close around traffic and on the climbs. Take extra care near the open, unfenced water by the play park and keep dogs well away from the water's edge.

Food & Drink Stops

Foiling a bridie-based emergency calls for proper supplies. There are pubs and cafes as a reward, and the town centre sections are ideal for stocking up on essential provisions. The Stag Bar is on Castle Street near the route.

If you'd rather bring your own rations, Reid Park is a public park with views over the town, and the Trail also visits the play park near Green Street.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Angus Council's museum and gallery with visitor information centre

This nearby museum is a cracking debrief for Agents who want to dig deeper into Forfar's story. It covers everything from the history of the little cobbler shops to the burning of the witch Helen Guthrie, and also contains the Dunnichen Stone - a large class I Pictish stone with a rare carving of a flower - plus an 11th century canoe from the Forfar Loch.

Reid Park

The mission climbs up to Reid Park, a 16.5 acre public park given to the town by Peter Reid, whose Forfar Rock made him wealthy. It offers great views over the town, and Peter Reid also gave other gifts to Forfar, including the Reid Hall and seats for public use at the Myre.

Little Causeway

The cobbled area of Little Causeway is described as extremely picturesque, so slow the squad down and enjoy the atmosphere once the urgent spywork is under control. Imagine it without parked cars and you could be right back in the 1800s, with more cobbles waiting nearby on Oosnaburg Street.

East & Old Parish Church

East & Old Parish Church stands on the site of an old chapel dating from the 1200s, built by monks from Restenneth Priory. That chapel was replaced around 1568 and then by the church you see now in 1791; the steeple is owned by the 'Town' and is not formally part of the church property.

Castlehill

For an optional scenic detour, head for Castlehill, a hidden gem that was once the site of the Royal Castle of Forfar. It is now home to the Mercat Cross, which once stood in the centre of town, and gives some great views. You can borrow the key to access it from the newsagents next to the old Post Office, and the entrance is an iron gate along Canmore Street to the right of the newsagents.