Brechin

Market town and former royal burgh in Angus unitary authority, Scotland, on the River South Esk, 13 km/8 mi west of Montrose; population (2001) 7,200. Industries include distilling and light engineering, such as machine tooling, and the production of linen, jute, and rayon textiles.

Its cathedral, now a parish church, was founded in 1150 by David I and incorporates an earlier 10th-century round tower. In 1296 the Scottish crown was surrendered at Brechin to Edward I by John de Baliol.