Monifieth

Monifieth ˈmɒnifiːθ (Monadh Fotha) is a town and former police burgh in the council area of Angus, Scotland. It is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Tay on the east coast. In 2016, the population of Monifieth was estimated at 8,110, making it the fifth largest town in Angus. The presence of a number of class II and III Pictish stones points to Monifieth having had some importance as an ecclesiastical centre in the early medieval period. The lands were a possession of the Céli Dé monastic order until they were granted to the Tironensian monks of Arbroath Abbey in the early 13th century. Until the early 19th century, Monifieth remained a small village but grew rapidly due to the expansion of the local textile industry. Monifieth is considered a commuter town and suburb of its closest city, Dundee, which it is physically attached to. Politically, Monifieth can be seen to be a stronghold of the Scottish National Party, being represented at local, national and European levels by SNP politicians. The town falls within the boundaries of Angus Council but was part of Dundee City Council from 1975 to 1996. The local constituency boundary and whether Monifieth should fall within Angus or Dundee council areas continues to be a source of debate. Public transport consists mainly of bus services operated by Stagecoach Buses. The town is served by Monifieth railway station, with hourly trains to Dundee & Edinburgh and North to Arbroath. Its nearest major road is the A92 and the town is connected to Dundee by the A930. The name "Monifieth" likely derives from the Gaelic "Moine Feith" , "Bogstream of the marsh/moss". Previous suggestions that it comes from "Monadh Fieth" meaning "hill of the deer" make little sense. "Monadh" would mean a large upland mountainous area , which(given that the town is many miles from the highlands) is the exact opposite of Monifieths topography. An alternative etymology Monaich Fother, 'Monks' Land' has been suggested, which holds some appeal due to Monifieth's early status as a possession of the Céli Dé monastic order.