Kirriemuir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kirriemuir | |
|---|---|
| Gaelic: | Cearan Mhoire |
| Scots: | Kirriemuir |
| Location | |
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| OS grid reference: | NO385535 |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 5,963 (2001 Census) |
| Administration | |
| Council area: | Angus |
| Constituent country: | Scotland |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Police force: | Tayside Police |
| Lieutenancy area: | Angus |
| Former county: | Angus |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | KIRRIEMUIR |
| Postal district: | DD8 |
| Dialling code: | 01575 |
| Politics | |
| Scottish Parliament: | Angus |
| UK Parliament: | Angus |
| European Parliament: | Scotland |
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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 as a centre of a home weaving industry.
It is, however, probably best known as the birthplace of J. M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, who immortalised this "wee red toonie" in his book "The Window in Thrums". The reference is not to the town politics but to the local red sandstone from which its older properties are built. Barrie's birthplace is now a museum. Kirriemuir is also the birthplace of Bon Scott from AC/DC. David Niven, the actor, cited Kirriemuir as his birthplace, however this was untrue and was an effort to glamorise his birth on 01 March 1910 in London. The town boasts a museum of aviation and a camera obscura, donated by Barrie, on the Hill, which commands splendid views to the south and south-west and of the higher hills to the north. Also on the Hill and commanding marvellous views from its southern slopes is the town cemetery where Barrie is buried in a simple grave. Worth seeing is the impressive 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 also has a history of witches back in the 16th century. A pond on the outskirts in town known as the Witch Pool was where most of the witches were drowned.
The family estate of Sir Hugh Munro, who created the list of Scottish Mountains over 3000ft (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 fine 18-hole golf course enjoying impressive views of the northern hills.
A small area in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, is named after this town, referred to as 'Kerrimuir'.
