Gayfield Park sits on the seafront at Arbroath, a short walk west of the harbour, and it is the closest senior football ground to the sea in Britain. Arbroath, the Red Lichties, have played on this site since 1880. The present pitch was realigned in 1925 so a stand could be built along Dundee Road. If you are used to modern bowls, Gayfield will feel like a throwback: one seated stand, three terraces, and the North Sea just beyond the far touchline.
The pitch runs north to south and measures 115 by 71 yards. The north goal is directly in front of the Harbour End, also called the Bellrock End, the traditional home end. The south goal is directly in front of the Pleasureland End, also known as the Seaforth or Pleash End, with the amusement arcade behind the terrace. Neither goal faces a side stand. The Gayfield Stand, the only seats, runs along the west touchline beside Dundee Road. Opposite it, the East Terrace looks straight out to the sea wall.
Visiting supporters are usually given the Pleasureland End when segregation is in force, and sometimes half of the East Terrace as well. A small block of seats in the Gayfield Stand, often section G, may also be opened to away fans. The club has housed visitors at the Harbour End for some fixtures, so read the matchday note before you travel. With no segregation you can move around the ground, and many crowds still swap ends at half-time.
The listed capacity is 6,600, of which 861 are seats in the Gayfield Stand, opened in 2002 and extended in 2010. The record crowd is 13,510, Arbroath against Rangers in the Scottish Cup in February 1952. Ordinary league days are much quieter. Each terrace has a covered section over the middle and open corners. A floodlight pylon rises through the middle of the main-stand roof, and smaller pylons stand in the East Terrace.
Dress for the North Sea, not the forecast. Gayfield has a fair claim to be the coldest ground in the Scottish leagues. From October to March bring a coat, a hat and something windproof. On a rough tide, waves break over the sea wall and soak the East Terrace. If the wind is up, that side is the place not to stand unless you enjoy a soaking. Cover on the terraces is only partial, so the middle of the Pleasureland roof is the sensible away berth.
Gates are on Dundee Road. Home fans generally use Gates 1 and 2; away fans are often sent to Gate 3 towards the Harbour end of the stand. Toilets and a refreshment booth sit on each side, with pie huts towards the corners of the East Terrace. The steak and black pudding pie is the one regulars mention. The 36-0 Lounge, named for the 1885 Scottish Cup win over Bon Accord, is in the main stand and usually welcomes away fans unless segregation is up. Smoking is not allowed in the stand, and pyrotechnics are banned.
By car, Gayfield is on the A92. Coming from the south, the ground appears on your right. Street parking lines the seafront, with more space by Pleasureland and at Inchcape Park on the harbour side. Arbroath station is about a fifteen-minute walk: left out of the entrance, right into Millgate Loan, and on until the floodlights. Leave time for a smokie or fish and chips at the harbour. On a clear day, from the East Terrace, there is nothing between you and Denmark but water.