Kirriemuir

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Kirriemuir
population= 5,963 (2001 Census)
os_grid_reference= NO385535
latitude=56.66921
longitude=-3.00510
map_type= Scotland
gaelic_name= Cearan Mhoire
scots_name= Kirriemuir, Kirrie
unitary_scotland= Angus
lieutenancy_scotland= Angus
constituency_westminster= Angus
constituency_scottish_parliament= North Tayside
post_town= KIRRIEMUIR|postcode_district = DD8
postcode_area= DD
dial_code= 01575

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". His birthplace still stands on the Brechin Road. "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, [Chaney, Lisa, "Hide-and-Seek with Angels", St. Martin's Press, 2005.] and his birthplace is now a museum. Kirriemuir is also the birthplace of Bon Scott from AC/DC. [cite web | url = http://www.crabsodyinblue.com/bonscottstory.htm | title = Bon Scott Story | work = Crabsody in Blue | accessdate = 2008-08-07] Actor David Niven claimed Kirriemuir as his birthplace, but was actually born in London.cite book | last = Morley | first = Sheridan | authorlink=Sheridan Morley | title=The Other Side of the Moon | year=1985 | publisher=Weidenfeld and Nicolson | location=London | isbn=0-340-39643-1 ]

A statue of Peter Pan stands in the town square in front of the old toll booth. This was one of two commissioned by either the now defunct Angus Milling Company Limited or its associated company Hamlyn Milling Limited. The present whereabouts of the second statue are not known.

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. Many of the older buildings have a witches stane built in to ward of evil. This is a hard grey stone set into the local red sandstone which the buildings were built of. A pond on the outskirts of town known as the Witch Pool was where the supposed witches were meant to have been drownedFact|date=December 2007 but the alleged pool was in fact the mill pond of the 19th Century Meikle Mill. Local amateur historians tend to think this referred to a small mill but the reference is to the fact that the mill contained one of John Meikle's patented chaff separating machines which was based on ideas he picked up in Holland. The adjacent "Court Hillock" was shown, on excavation to make way for a housing development to be nothing more than the spoil heap left from the excavation and cleaning of the pond.

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.Fact|date=November 2007 It sits looking south towards Glamis and the Sidlaws over 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 north to Glen Clova and Glen Doll.

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, [ [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17730 C. Michael Hogan, "Eassie Stone", The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, October 7, 2007] ] 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.

port

Kirriemuir is home to the junior football club Kirriemuir Thistle.

ee also

* Castleton

References