Formerly a prosperous fishing and whaling village, in the 19th century Broughty Ferry became a haven for wealthy jute barons, who built their luxury villas in the suburb.

Evidence exists of a human settlement in pre-historic times, later developing into a prosperous fishing and whaling village, before becoming home to 19th-century jute barons who had their factories in Dundee.

The castle stands on a shallow tip projecting into the Firth, alongside two beaches, one of sand, the other of pebbles Additionally an English fort was located on what is now known as Forthill.

St Stephen's has exceptionally fine Victorian windows thought to be the best collection of Edward Burne-Jones stained glass in Scotland.

[6] On 2 December 1943, a pigeon from Broughty Ferry called Winkie was awarded the Dickin Medal for "delivering a message under exceptional difficulties and so contributing to the rescue of an Air Crew while serving with the RAF in February 1942".

On 8 December 1959 the suburb's lifeboat, the RNLB Mona, was lost with all hands, whilst attempting to rescue a foundering lightship.

At the beginning of the 19th century Charles Hunter drew up plans on a gridiron layout and the area was greatly expanded in size.

[8] In their book "Dundee: an illustrated architectural guide[9]", McKean & Walker describe Broughty Ferry as "once one of the richest suburbs in Europe".

"This mid to late-Victorian suburb remains private on its plateau high above the shore: few main roads, minor ones framed by stone walls and mature trees".

[12] It is said that "the Liberty of London wood panelling in the entrance hall looks as impressive today as it would have done when the Edwardian mansion was built" over a century ago in 1903; Soutar clearly had a loose budget on this project.

[15] Eastern Primary School's original, grand Victorian building on purpose-built site at the foot of Whinnie Brae was converted to flats in 2009.

[18] The sandy blue flag beach (FEE, Foundation for Environmental Education) maintains the bathing[19] water quality (Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

[23] Participation in the Dook has increased dramatically over the years and now attracts over 300 Dookers to brave the icy cold waters of the harbour in front of around 3,000 spectators.

[25] To celebrate the Millennium a relay team of club members swam from Tayport to Broughty Ferry on 1 January when the temperature that day was 2 °C but has been recorded lower at minus -3 °C in previous years.

The fictional character Bob Servant of the self-named books and BBC radio and television[26] series written by Neil Forsyth is depicted as living in the suburb.

The club plays in the ACA Sports East Region Premier League; many opposition teams are based in Fife and the Lothians.

It is a successful, active squadron which benefits from close proximity to RAF Leuchars for basic powered flying training (currently using Grob Tutor), RM Condor (Viking Glider) in Arbroath for winch-launched glider flying and the Barry Buddon Training Area in Monifeith for field exercises and fullbore shooting competitions.

The active group of cadets parade twice weekly on weekday evenings as well as being successful in a range of weekend competitions and camps across the UK.

Broughty Ferry was formerly home to Grove Black Watch, part of Cambrai company in the Angus and Dundee Battalion.

Other notable individuals with connections to Broughty Ferry include the minister and scientist Thomas Dick, the Victoria Cross recipient Hugh Malcolm, the administrator of Dr. Elsie Inglis's Scottish Women's Hospitals in Serbia, World War I, suffragist leader of women's civic groups in Dundee, Mary H. J. Henderson, and the Beano/ Dandy cartoonists Dudley D. Watkins and Adolf Eichmann.