FORFAR, a royal burgh of Scotland, and capital of the county of Forfar, is situated in the lowest part of the county, which declines to it on all sides, and has rather a pleasant appearance. The streets are by no means regular, but many of the houses are well built and neat; an improvement, however, which has taken place within the last few years. At the beginning of the present century its streets were chiefly composed of old thatched houses, and its church was in a state of decay. But the town is now ornamented with a handsome suit of county buildings, situated in a good street. A new church with a steeple has likewise been erected, and an Episcopal chapel was opened in 1823. Besides these places of worship, some sects of dissenters have meeting-houses here. Forfar being the seat of the county courts of the sheriff, possesses a number of public offices and legal practitioners. There is a parish school, and an academy, where the languages, mathematics, and geography are taught. It has also an excellent news-room and library. The chief trade of Forfar is the weaving of osnaburges and coarse lincens. From time immemorial however it has been celebrated for the manufacture of brogues or strong shoes, such as are fitted for the rugged soil of the Highlands, where they are principally used by the inhabitants.
Forfar is a royal burgh of unknown antiquity, the privileges of which were confirmed in 1669, in virtue of which it is governed by a provost, two bailies, and nineteen counsellors, who are elected annually. The revenue of the burgh may be averaged at £1,000. On the west side of the town there is a beautiful sheet of water, which, although considerably reduced by draining, is still about a mile in length by half a mile in breadth. In former times Forfar was protected by a castle, which stood on a mound to the north of the town. Its origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have been the place where the first parliament of Malcolm Ceanmore assembled, after the destruction of Macheth. The site of this ancient fortress is now marked by the town cross, which was removed by the magistrates some years ago, for the purpose of pointing out where the royal residence had been. Forfar has shared in the general advancement of population, trade, and agricultural improvement, and it is now one of the most comfortable little towns in the county. It lies fourteen miles north from Dundee, and fifty-six from Edinburgh. In 1821 the population, including the parish, amounted to 5897, and in 1831 to 7944.