Meigle

For the place in North Ayrshire, see Meigle, North Ayrshire.

Meigle parish church

Meigle (Scottish Gaelic: Mìgeil) is a village in Strathmore, Scotland. It lies in the council area of Perth and Kinross in the Coupar Angus and Meigle ward. The nearest town is Forfar in neighbouring Angus. Other smaller settlements nearby are Balkeerie, Kirkinch and Kinloch. Meigle is accessed from the north and south via the B954 road. Meigle was included in the locality of Alyth for the 2001 Census when the population for the division was 1871.

Area history

The Pictish stones on display at Meigle are a manifestation of the rich early history of the local area. As further testimony to the Pictish era approximately three kilometres to the east is the village of Eassie noted for the presence of the Eassie Stone; this carved Pictish stone is dated prior to the Early Middle Ages.^[1]

Attractions

The Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum^[2] is housed in the former Victorian village school and contains an important collection of more than thirty Pictish Stones, along with some later carvings, dating between the 8th and 10th centuries, many of them superbly carved (Historic Scotland; open April-end September, entrance charge). This collection is one of the finest of its type in Western Europe. The village was probably the site of an important Early Medieval Pictish monastery, centred on the present church and churchyard.

Nearby Belmont Castle, constructed from the 15th century, originally as a residence of the Bishops of Dunkeld, was the residence of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1836-1908), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1905-08. He is buried in the village churchyard. Meigle is also home to Meigle C.C. a cricket team which competes in the Strathmore Union.

Famous People

• Gordon Drummond (cricketer)

See also

• Kilry Glen
• Kinloch
• Kirkinch

References

1. ^ C.Michael Hogan, Eassie Stone, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham, Oct. 7, 2007
2. ^ Meigle Pictish Stones at Undiscovered Scotland

External links

• Old Statistical Account (1791–1799)
• Second Statistical Account (1834–1845)

Coordinates: 56°35′13″N 3°9′51″W / 56.58694°N 3.16417°W / 56.58694; -3.16417