Everything about Kirriemuir totally explained
Kirriemuir, sometimes called
Kirrie, is a
burgh in
Angus,
Scotland. Though its importance as a
market town has diminished, its former
jute factories (now manufacturing synthetics) echo its past importance in the 19th century as the centre of a home
weaving industry.
It is well known as the birthplace of
Peter Pan creator
J. M. Barrie, who immortalised this "wee red toonie" as "Thrums" in his popular (pre-Pan) novels
Auld Licht Idylls,
A Window in Thrums, and
The Little Minister. "Red" refers to the local reddish sandstone from which the town's older properties are built. The town became a minor Victorian tourism destination in response to Barrie's novels, and his birthplace is now a
museum. Kirriemuir is also the birthplace of
Bon Scott from
AC/DC. Actor
David Niven claimed Kirriemuir as his birthplace, but was actually born in London.
The town has a museum of
aviation and a
camera obscura donated by Barrie on the Hill, which offers views to the south and south-west and of the higher hills to the north. Also on the Hill and offering views from its southern slopes is the town cemetery, where Barrie is buried in a simple grave. There is a silver granite war memorial in the centre of the cemetery, a column surmounted by a kilted soldier looking down across the town and over the broad fields of
Strathmore to the
Sidlaws.
Kirriemuir has a history of accused
witches back in the 16th century. A pond on the outskirts of town known as the Witch Pool was where most of the supposed witches were drowned.
The family estate of
Sir Hugh Munro, who created
Munro's Tables of Scottish mountains over 3000ft in elevation (and which are now called "
munros") is also located near the town, as is Kinnordy House, the seat of the Lyells. The current
Lord Lyell is an active member of the
House of Lords and frequently refers to his home town in his speeches to the House.
Today, Kirriemuir is a centre of tourism. It sits looking south towards
Dundee and the Sidlaws over the Vale of Strathmore (one of the most fertile fruit growing areas in Scotland). Its position at the base of the Angus glens makes it an attractive centre for hill-walking on nearby munros, fishing, partridge, pheasant and grouse shooting and deer-stalking. There is also a 18-hole golf course with views of the northern hills.
The town comprises mainly two areas, Northmuir and Southmuir. Websters High School is situated in the Southmuir, while two primary schools are located in the Northmuir and Southmuir, respectively. The Northmuir school was built after Reform Street Primary school further down the hill from it was demolished.
Historic features near Kirriemuir include a carved
Pictish stone known as the
Eassie Stone, found in a
creek-bed near the village of
Eassie.
The town is
twinned with
French town of
Volvic, famous for its mineral water.
Kerrimuir, a small area in the eastern suburbs of
Melbourne,
Australia, is named after this town.
Sport
Kirriemuir is home to the
junior football club
Kirriemuir Thistle.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Kirriemuir'.
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