Discover the history and values of Brothock Shotokan Karate Club
Founded in 1985, Brothock Shotokan Karate Club is a long-established community karate club serving Arbroath, Forfar, and the wider Angus area. For over four decades, we have supported children, young people, adults, and families through structured, traditional karate training grounded in respect, steady progress, and personal development.
Karate means different things to different people. For some it is about fitness and movement; it could be to develop, confidence, focus or resilience, for others self protection, or competition. Many are drawn by the structure and discipline, while others value the sense of belonging that develops through shared training. At Brothock, we recognise that karate is not one thing — it is a lifelong practice that adapts as people grow and their goals change.
Whether you are looking for a positive, screen-free activity for your child, a meaningful physical and mental challenge for yourself, or a healthy journey you can share as a family, you will find a welcoming and supportive environment at Brothock. Our first class is free, allowing you to experience training and decide if it is right for you, with no pressure or obligation.
Our teaching is rooted in traditional Shotokan Karate while remaining relevant to modern life. We place strong emphasis on sound movement, emotional control, awareness, good judgement, and SMART Goal Setting — skills that extend well beyond the dojo floor. Training is structured, inclusive and age-appropriate, with clear pathways for children, adults and those returning to karate later in life.
In a world increasingly shaped by screens and constant distraction, karate offers something rare: time spent fully present, moving, learning, and engaging with others in real space. For children in particular, this provides an important counterbalance to modern, phone-centred childhood.
Karate is not a short-term activity. Many discover that what begins as exercise or curiosity becomes a framework for ongoing growth — physically, mentally, and socially — evolving as life changes.
For a deeper explanation of how these benefits emerge through training, see Our Approach to Karate.