PerthshireCrieffStrathearn Local History

Crieff’s   High Street Before World War 1 ( 1913/1914 ) Part One      Tom Cuthbert , grocer , East High Street ( now Mike Sweeney , barber )                                                                                                                                                         Crieff Coop about 1914   Our little   town was somewhat different shop wise than it is   today . This   analysis   is   taken from Leslie’s Directory of Perthshire published   100   years ago ! Included are a number   of   businesses which although not   located in the town   itself presumably regarded Crieff as their   nearest major centre . We   here in Crieff have   just enjoyed a well organised and well run Arts Festival in   which many   of the current traders   participated . The shops   provided an outlet   for the many talented people who live   in and   near to the town . Sadly the number of   shops   has   dwindled somewhat over the years and gone is

Innerpeffray - an ancient Chapel - the oldest lending Library in Scotland PLUS  a Roman Ford and Road !     Innerpeffray Library   Although Innerpeffray is  tucked  away by the  banks of the Earn  east of Crieff  and is now a quiet back water - it has a vibrant  past dating from the Roman invasion in the 1st century AD right up to date . This  unique  gem is an essential  visit when you come to Strathearn ! Read on !      (the following account of the Library  is reproduced  from the Innerpeffray Library wewbsite with grateful acknowledgement -http://www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk)  The Library and School at Innerpeffray were founded by David Drummond 3rd Lord Madertie in around 1680, the first free public lending library in Scotland. Madertie was a member of the Drummond Family, one of the most important landowning families of the area, friend and brother-in-law to James Graham, First Marquis of Montrose. The original library was "partly in the we

  Victoria who visited Crieff and Strathearn in 1842 with her consort Prince Albert       Victoria reigned   from 1837   to 1901 – an incredible 64   years . She   celebrated   her Diamond Jubilee of   60 years   upon the throne in 1897 . Crieff as a centre of population has   been   around   a long time . Recent   discoveries have revealed a Neolithic past when this   part of Strathearn was emerging as a place of importance The present   town however is   solidly Victorian with a smattering remnant of the Georgian   in   places like Burrell Square ( The Octagon of yesteryear ) and Ruberslaw House . The following   little   essay is yet another   plucked   from   my tattered little copy of Dixons “ Crieff in the Victorian Era “ and was written in the year of the Jubilee in 1897 so reflects   what   our town was like in the pre motor car era !  “To know and understand Crieff as it exists in the year   of the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Victoria

The Sad Demise of The Crieff and Strathearn Hand Loom Weavers       Life in Crieff about 1860 – a fascinating social history   Weavers Hall Crieff ( Commissioner Street /Scott Terrace ) now flats    This little gem is culled from the tattered   little   book I have quoted   from   before . Published in “Crieff in the Victorian Era “( Brown. Crieff. 1897 ) it reflects   on the collapse of hand loom weaving   in the town in and   around 1860 . Prior   to this weaving   dominated occupations in the town   with over 50 % of the populous weavers, spinners or   associated trades . The linen weaving had   disappeared and given way to cotton . The cotton “ webs “ were brought to the   town   by cart and middle men   like James MacRosty’s father controlled supply and distribution . With the   outbreak of the American Civil War   the   supply of raw cotton dried up and the end was nigh ! The Weavers’ Hall in Commissioner Street closed and the Weavers’ Guild fo

The following little poem  is about the weavers and kids  who lived in Bridgend Crieff  - a wee weaving  village within a bigger village - namely Crieff. I  found it  in an old booklet  published HK Brown a bookseller at 15 King Street in 1897 and reflects  life in  a by gone era . Hope  you enjoy it a s much as I did !     ‘Tis on a lovely day in June When shuttles play their lively tune When summer’s sun shines forth on high A throws a blaze across the sky That merry boys   just out for play Espy just of a little way A fine big “ deilie “ – full of grace A tempting prize for any race Knowing soon the day must close It quickly flies   from bud   to rose So gaily flitting past the flowers   It passes on to higher powers The youngsters   start , with ready grace And to the butterfly   give chase Running off with childish hearts Each for   a separate corner starts But, when a bonnet at it fli