Carnoustie (; , ) is a town and former police burgh in the council area of Angus, Scotland. It is at the mouth of the Barry Burn on the North Sea coast. In the 2011 census, Carnoustie had a population of 11,394, making it the fourth-largest town in Angus. The town was founded in the late 18th century, and grew rapidly throughout the 19th century due to the growth of the local textile industry. It was popular as a tourist resort from the early Victorian era up to the latter half of the 20th century, due to its seaside location, and is best known for the Carnoustie Golf Links course that often hosts the Open Championship. Carnoustie can be considered a dormitory town for its nearest city, Dundee, which is to the west. It is served principally by Carnoustie railway station, and also by Golf Street railway station. Its nearest major road is the A92, north of the town. History Toponymy The origin of the name Carnoustie is uncertain. Plausible suggestions have included various Gaelic derivations such as cathair, càrr or càrn na fheusta, "fort, rock or cairn of the feast", or càrn guithais, "cairn of the firtree". However, these suggestions are of relatively recent origin and the name may derive from an obscure Pictish element, Càrn Ùstaidh. Folk etymology suggests that the name has a later, Anglic origin. The name is supposed to derive from the scots 'Craws Nestie', referring to the large number of crows that inhabit the area. This tradition is alluded to in the coat of arms of Carnoustie, which includes a pair of crows. Other, less likely possibilities include that it derives from 'Cairn of the Host' or 'Cairn of the Heroes' in memory of those who supposedly perished at the Battle of Barry. Ultimately the origin of the name is unknown but predates the town itself by several hundred years. The earliest record is of "Carnowis" in a 1510 charter of James IV to Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus. 'Carnussie' farm is recorded in the Balmerino Abbey register of 1575, which states that it (along with part of Grange of Barry and Badiehill) was feued to the Fairny family and 'Karnousty' farm can be seen on Pont's map of Lower Angus, 1583––1596. The town is seen as 'Carnowstie' in a deed of sale from 1595, 'Carnushie' appears in a tax roll from Balmerino