[1] East Haven has a long history and is first recorded (as 'Stinchendehavene') in deeds granted in 1214 by Philip de Valognes, Lord of Panmure, to the Cistercian monks of Coupar Angus, which gave them rights to build on the land there, to use the haven and to impose a toll on the fishings.

[2] Formerly, a small fishing fleet operated from the natural harbour, catching cod and haddock which were sold in markets in Dundee and Forfar, as well as lobsters for export to London and crabs for local use.

These were formerly served by a private level crossing which was closed in 2003, leaving them inaccessible by vehicles larger than a car.

The path that runs to the east is on top of sea defences that are formed from the stone recovered when the nearby Panmure Estate Mansion was demolished.

The village's bus service, the 73A between Arbroath and Dundee's Ninewells Hospital, run by Stagecoach,[6] was withdrawn in June 2020.