PerthshireCrieffStrathearn Local History

1900 pic of Muthill Parish Church 1. Culdees in Muthill   I have  a particular interest in the religious  sect  known as the Culdees . I lived for a number of years in an old  stone  house in Muthill called “ Little Culdees ” It had been built circa 1790 using stones from the remnants of Culdees Castle in what is now the farm and estate of the Maitland Gardners . A somewhat be- turreted idiosyncratic dwelling located over a flowing burn and distinctive  but with its  stone slabbed flooring perhaps the coldest house I have  ever lived in ! " Little Culdees " from a painting by my old friend the late Norman Aiton of Muthill Who then were the Culdees ?  Culdees were holy men who loved solitude and lived by the labour of their hands. Gradually they came together in a community, still occupying separate cells, still much alone and in communion with God  but meeting in the refectory

NN81NE 4 c. 881 159. A House of Culdees at Muthill. A prior and two brethren are mentioned 1178-95. The latest specific reference seems to be 1236 but a prior of Muthill witnessed a charter probably of 1284-96. D E Easson 1957 Traditionally a church of the Culdees existed on the west end of Culdees estate (NN 8816). S Korner 1858 The traditional site of the church is within the area centred on NN 881 159. An avenue of trees to the SE, known as the Monk's Walk, leads to an old orchard at NN 884 157 called the Monk's Garden (Mrs Maitland Gardner, Culdees, Muthill). Visited by OS (RD) 19 May 1967.

Comrie of Old Drove leaving Comrie Looking at the Parish of Comrie in the 1792/93 Account, we note that the staple industry is linen yarn  " of which a great quantity is spun and sold each year. With the money which this yarn brings,most of the farmers pay a great part of their rents.This yarn sells at about 2/4 d per spindle " (i.e. about 11 pence in present currency ). Very much a cottage industry, the small farmers or cottars produced a variety of cloths to suit their needs. The lint was spun into a yarn and from that a cloth was produced . The finer cloth was made into men and women's shirts whilst the coarser was turned into " sailors jackets and trousers ". Comrie in the 18th century was a Highland village unlike its near neighbour Crieff some seven miles to the east . The women of the Parish produced a great quantity of  " plaiden cloth " and a considerable quantity of tartan from which they made plaids and hose .

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