The town lies in Strathmore and is situated just off the main A90 road between Perth and Aberdeen, with Dundee (the nearest city) being 13 miles (21 km) away.

Forfar dates back to the temporary Roman occupation of the area, and was subsequently held by the Picts and the Kingdom of Scotland.

During the Scottish Wars of Independence, Forfar was occupied by English forces before being recaptured by the Scots and presented to Robert the Bruce.

The town is home to a number of local sporting teams, including the League Two football club, Forfar Athletic.

[dubious – discuss][4] From Battledykes northward the Romans established a succession of camps including Stracathro, Raedykes and Normandykes.

[5] During the Middle Ages, a "claimant" to the throne, the daughter of the leader of the Meic Uilleim, who were descendants of King Duncan II, had her brains dashed out on Forfar market cross in 1230 while still an infant.

After Robert the Bruce's victory over the Earl of Buchan, Philip, the Forester of Platane, together with some of his friends, raised ladders against the wall and, climbing over, surprised the garrison and killed them.

The firm originally bought and sold webs of linen which were woven in local cottages, although it also operated a small weaving shed.

The partnership also operated mills in Dundee and later built Station Works in Forfar, which contained some 300 looms.

Don Brothers, Buist & Company Ltd, as the firm was known from 1904, built another works in Forfar, at Strang Street, in 1929.

The firm retains premises in Forfar, mainly producing woven and non-woven polypropylene industrial textile products and plastic food packaging.

[8][9][10][11] In 1958 Don Brothers, Buist & Co Ltd acquired a controlling interest in another Forfar based-textile firm, Moffat & Son Ltd, who operated Haugh Works in South Street.

[12] Another important Forfar textile firm was J & A Craik & Company, Linen and Jute Manufacturers, which was based at the Manor Works.

[13] Craiks owned Forfar Fabrics Ltd, incorporated in 1965, which amalgamated with Low & Bonar Textiles Limited in 1981.

It is also an art gallery and a meeting place for local speakers, summer clubs for children and groups.

The story of Forfar takes you from the history of the little cobbler shops to the burning of the witch Helen Guthrie.

After the Meffan Institute had been renovated it was brought to Forfar on a long-term loan where it is displayed alongside the Kirriemuir Sculptured Stones.

Employment levels in this industry generally dramatically declined in other parts of Angus, including Dundee, during the next four decades.

[18] Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the town and surrounding area in 2004 (the first time in around 30 years) and again in 2011.

HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, visited the town in April 2012 to take the salute of the Black Watch during the regiment's homecoming parade, marking its return from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Local bus services are operated predominantly by Stagecoach Strathtay, Moffat & Williamson and JP Coaches.

Forfar Athletic's ground, Station Park, plays host to matches featuring Dundee United Reserves.

The course was designed by Tom Morris Snr, and in 1926 alterations recommended by 5 time Open Championship winner James Braid were implemented.

Some locals believe it would have made a great library/museum, but in spring of 2016 it was decided that it would be turned into an apartment block, it was completed in the summer of 2018.

[32] The Fyfe-Jamieson maternity hospital closed some time ago; it was across the road from the Forfar Academy, but the site has since been built over with houses.

The adjoining graveyard has famous 'residents' such as botanist George Don, quite a few scholars and a man who blamed the witches of Forfar for poisoning him after ill words were exchanged between them.

Another feature of the town is the Forfar Loch Country Park, which is visited by locals as a walking venue.

Items accepted include, steel and aluminium cans, cardboard, paper, electrical equipment, engine oil, fridges and freezers, garden waste, gas bottles, glass, liquid food and drinks cartons, plastic bottles, plastic carrier bags, rubble, scrap metal, shoes and handbags, spectacles, textiles, tin foil, wood and yellow pages.

[43] As from April 2013, law enforcement is provided by Police Scotland and Forfar is served by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.