PerthshireCrieffStrathearn Local History

The Reconstructed Crannog On Loch Tay Near Kenmore   Over the last year in these “blogs “ we have   looked at many of the older historical aspects of Perthshire and indeed Strathearn in particular . The Strath   was a haven for the wandering tribes of the Neolithic period that were spreading out over Western   Europe . Spreading out and into a Scotland that was not to emerge as a nation for nearly four and half thousand years . The ubiquitous standing stones that still stare down upon us from the farm fields all a round are a remnant of the ancient past . Recent archaeological investigations have thrown    light upon the hitherto unknown Neolithic Cursus that bisects the ground that is the new Strathearn Campus . Diggings at Forteviot , some ten miles   east of Crieff , have   turned up numerous finds of this period .A Bronze age grave   was unearthed   complete with a gold – banded dagger still wrapped   in its ...

The Stayt of Crieff Site of the Court of the Earls of Strathearn     The Old Coat of Arms of Crieff   Site of the historic Stayt of Crieff 2013 - a ploughed field !  In   just over a year   of “ blogging ” our local history here in Strathearn , we have covered a multitude of topics regarding   people , places and “ things ” !   What is   clear that this , one of the most   beautiful parts of   Perthshire – nay Scotland – has an incredible and special heritage   that must   be protected and projected to a wider   audience   than just those who dwell   by the banks of the Earn ! Sadly much of the recorded history of the area has now   been lost by the removal of the detailed   information   from official maps . Regrettably present day searchers scouring the well detailed Ordnance Survey maps in both the Landranger ( 1: 50 000 ) or the Pathfinder ( 1: 25 000 )...

 The Jacobites of Strathearn                                                                    Charles Edward Stewart "Butcher"  Cumberland     The Union of 1707 between Scotland and England was highly unpopular with the vast majority of the population in Scotland. Several articles of the Act of Union agreement were economically favourable to landowners in Scotland, but failed to deliver any economic advantages to the majority of the population for over thirty years. Discontent was widespread and food riots occurred in the east coast burghs as the effects of famine were compounded by union taxes. Although the situation induc...

Yes – These Are Really Strathearn Names ! Cultoquhey                                                                               Ysenda Maxtone Graham If one one Googles  “ Gorthy” ,one  comes  up with  a clutch of obscurities  who are in all probability enthusiastic  Facebookers  but  have without a doubt, little connection with the Strathearn place of that name  . You may of  course be fortunate to hit the name “ Gorthy Wood “ – now a Forestry Commission Scotland Wood , where  one can amble,  ad infinitum , and enjoy the pleasures  of rural Perthshire . There is however  a  much finite and exact  meaning to that old  word . Gorthy was a Barony of  Strathearn and is very much ste...

McNee's Jamary about 1900 My recent   piece on cock fighting in Crieff in the   early part of the 19 th century proved an interesting look at   the way of   life   of yesteryear . The same little book “ Crieff in the Victorian Era “ contains   numerous   little gems . I have   singled out a brief essay looking at the Bridgend circa 1830s . Bridgend   was   very   much its own place in those days   and Bridgenders did   not consider themselves part   and parcel of the “ toon up the hill ” !As one   drives   south towards the bridge note the higgledy   piggy nature of the street scape   with   houses and cottages jutting out   at awkward   angles in total disregard   for a   uniform building line ! Many of these old cottages   still have   an appendage   at the rear which in days   gone by was   the loom shed – now transformed   by Ikea ...