PerthshireCrieffStrathearn Local History

A collection of  some of my pics  both recent and from yesteryear showing Starthearn in Perthshire at its  beautiful best . Enjoy !                                                                              

Who were the Picts ? Picts , Gaels and Scots ( Foster, SM, 1996) Classical and later historic sources use a variety of evolving terms to signify the people who inhabited Scotland and /or their territorial divisions prior to the late eighth century. Of these terms Picti , first recorded in 297 and derived from the Picts’ own name for themselves , or possibly a Roman nickname meaning ” the painted ones” , has been the most enduring . Then as in later Classical sources, the Picts were referred to as assailants of the Roman frontier in Britain. Much ink has been spilt over what the ancient writers meant by Picts, but it seems to be a generic term for people living north of the Forth - Clyde isthmus who raided the Roman Empire. There is a distinction in archaeological remains to north and south of the   Forth- Clyde isthmus in the early centuries which would seem to support this definition, although some archaeologists argue t...

Who were the Picts ? Picts , Gaels and Scots ( Foster, SM, 1996) Classical and later historic sources use a variety of evolving terms to signify the people who inhabited Scotland and /or their territorial divisions prior to the late eighth century. Of these terms Picti , first recorded in 297 and derived from the Picts’ own name for themselves , or possibly a Roman nickname meaning ” the painted ones” , has been the most enduring . Then as in later Classical sources, the Picts were referred to as assailants of the Roman frontier in Britain. Much ink has been spilt over what the ancient writers meant by Picts, but it seems to be a generic term for people living north of the Forth - Clyde isthmus who raided the Roman Empire. There is a distinction in archaeological remains to north and south of the Forth- Clyde isthmus in the early centuries which would seem to support this definition, although some archaeologists argue that th...

Ochtertyre Exerts from “Beauties of Upper Strathearn “ – an 1860 Tourist Guide  The mansion house is situated about half way down the slope and is a plain modern and commodious building. At the foot o f the slope there is a beautiful sheet of water, on the promontory of which stands the donjon of an old fortress that once occupied the whole of the promontory. To the west of the mansion house there is an observatory most picturesquely situated and designed. The tourist , sending forward his vehicle to the lower west lodge , may enter the grounds   by the east avenue   at what is called the Granite Lodge .On the left , at half distance between the lodge and the mansion   may be seen the family mausoleum , a massive   and tasteful structure of Gothic architecture, erected in 1809 and adorned   with suitable windows of   stained glass. On a black marble tablet, under the large window at the west end, are recorded the names ...

The House of Nairne Another Lost Gem From Our Heritage  The House of Nairne at Loak, 9km N of Perth, was ‘one of the finest seats of the Scottish Nobility’. It was the last major design of Sir William Bruce ( the King’s architect who designed Holyrood Palace ) and was constructed between c1706 and 1710. The owner, Lord Nairne was a staunch Jacobite and lost the estate after the 1745 rebellion. It was purchased by his cousin James Murray, the 2nd Duke of Atholl, who had no use for another large house. This combined with a possible desire to remove a Jacobite rallying point, led to Murray contracting George Sandeman of Perth to demolish the house and sell everything. This roup was carried out 1759 – 1764 and the site was   returned   to farmland.  One of the most famous  occupants  of the " auld hoose " was Carolina Nairne , who penned  more than a few Scottish songs  which are still sung .Carolina Oliphant or Lady Nairne was a Scottish...

Samhain or Halloween ?? A Look Into Our Past traditions As a war time babe , I recall growing up in the ‘40s and looking   forward   to celebrating   Halloween at the end of October . Things   change with time .In those   far off days we went   guysing with our turnip lanterns to immediate neighbours and   after performing   and entertaining them with a   short poem , a   song   or   perhaps   even a few stale jokes ,   we   would   be   given our “ Halloween” . This was usually a couple of apples or a banana or orange. I f we were extremely   fortunate   we might   even   be   the recipients   of a   handful of “ coppers “ . Such was the simplicity of life in an age when the internet   , mobile phones did   not exist and   the telly was in its   black and white infancy . The term “ trick   or treat   “ resided alone across ...