Hello and welcome to this week’s PerthshireHour Podcast. Every Wednesday we focus on a new theme which should highlight the vibrant tapestry of this picturesque area, so as the midweek blues melt away get yourself comfy, grab a cuppa, and enjoy this week’s episode.
As always, you’ll find links to the podcast here, with links to all the most popular podcast platforms.
This episode will feature a discussion on Perthshire’s history, highlighting significant events, people, and places that have contributed to the region’s unique character and charm.
I reached out to a number of different organisations last week but unfortunately, there was a bit of miscommunication. I said that I’d be recording around 8 pm tonight and a couple of organisations thought that this meant they would be interviewed live. Unfortunately, I don’t have the facility to do that yet so that made the prep for this episode a little tricky.
Fortunately, we managed a slight change of gear and Irene at the Museum of Abernethy got some written answers in for me instead. Her responses came on what became fairly short notice and I’d like to thank her just now for hurrying to get their interviews to me in time.
So thank you to Irene at the Museum of Abernethy for her speedy turnaround. Also a big thanks to Lara Haggerty at Innerpeffray Library near Crieff for getting in first with her answers earlier in the week (since my messaging was a little clearer there).
I’d also like to apologise to Gary at History and Horror Tours that we didn’t manage to get things sorted in time. I’ll take the full blame, and I hope you’ll be willing to help to contribute to our ‘Hidden Histories of Perthshire’ episode which will take place on the 7th of June. We’ll be exploring local legends and folklore, unusual buildings and landmarks, and forgotten stories from the past. I’ve got a feeling that it might be right up History and Horror Tours’ street.
Please take a moment to pop over to History and Horror Tours’ website, where you’ll find a diverse array of activities and tours throughout the course of the year.
As a lucky coincidence, this is actually also local history month. I genuinely had no idea but it’s nice when things work out I guess. With this in mind, I’ll also be sharing details on a few local history month events at the end of this episode.
Our first interview tonight comes from Lara at Innerpeffray Library.
Innerpeffray Library
The site of Innerpeffray is steeped in history, with human settlements dating back nearly four thousand years, including the Roman fort at Strageath which was just across the river from the site of Innerpeffray.
The Drummond family were granted ownership of the land, as a thanks for their support of Robert the Bruce and went on to build St Mary’s Chapel and later establish the first public lending library in Scotland: the Library of Innerpeffray. Today, the library and Victorian schoolroom buildings still stand as enduring testaments to this rich heritage.
Lara’s Interview
In my interview with Lara, I mentioned that Perthshire is in a Geographically interesting position, bridging the gap between the Highlands and the Lowlands and asked whether she thought any elements of Perthsire’s history might be connected to this.
A central, busy, and diverse backdrop
Lara explained that the story of Crieff in particular as a market and centre for the cattle drovers is a highlight of Perthsire’s Highland/ Lowland position. She also made an interesting point that this unique position means there is a bi-lingual history in our area where Scots and English were the main languages, but Gaelic was spoken too.
I also asked Lara about our semi-recent history, and what historical events held special significance in her mind. It was no surprise that she noted the founding of Innerpeffray Library – as the first free, public lending library in Great Britain. She explained how unique and astonishing this innovation was. At a time 343 years ago people could access all sorts of books without having to pay!
In more recent years she also noted that the creation of the railways changed the area in an amazing way as did the development of the tourist visitor in the area.
Certainly living in Crieff I can see the traces that were left by our railway links, as well as the changes that have taken place as a direct result of losing our station back in the 1960s.
A microcosm of our region’s history and character?
I also asked about historical sites within Perthshire that stand out in regards to our area’s history.
Lara explained that the area is very diverse, so it is hard to give an example that encapsulates our history all in one site. However, she did note that Innerpeffray reflects the changing story of the area by recording the people who borrowed books. As she explained: “We have their names, occupations, where they lived, and the books they chose to read.”
Lara’s response was really interesting as I actually hadn’t considered this particular type of historical archive. I can imagine that knowing the reading habits of people from our history must give a real insight into their personalities and interests.
Perthshire’s neglected history
I also wondered if Lara had thoughts on whether there are any periods within our history which may sometimes gain less attention than others.
Lara explained that the story of the Roman camps in Perthshire is not one that is told often which I think I agree with. I’ve personally been out to visit the Ardoch Roman Fort remains out near Braco and I’m not sure how many locals know they’re there. I also included a bit of a reference to that period in our history in one of my books and I know exactly what she means as it was a little trickier to research Roman Perthshire than other periods in our history.
Top Historical Billing
I also had to ask if there a period in our history seems to draw the most interest from those outside the area.
Lara explained that out at Innerpeffray Library there’s no doubt that the Jacobite history of the area takes the top spot in terms of interest from visitors. As Lara puts it, the Jacobian period is “… a complex story with many twists and turns!”
Visiting Innerpeffray Library
Innerpeffray Library is still open to the public for visits and is located just a few miles away from Crieff. On their website, they specify that groups of nine or more could phone the Library before booking to ensure that they can accommodate your party.
The Library is open for visits from March until October, from Wednesday to Saturday (opening at 10am and closing at 5pm). They’re also open on Sundays from 2pm till 5pm. The price of admission is £8 and under 16s can visit for free.
I also saw a note on their site that a regular bus tour visits the library every Thursday afternoon from now until September. Please take note, this means that the library won’t be available to other visitors between 2 pm and 4 pm on Thursdays during this period.
Innerpeffray Library can also arrange private visits outwith their regular opening hours, you can call or email them for more details. (Click here for Innerpeffray Library’s contact page).
If you can’t make it along to Innerpeffray Library during opening hours, the Heritage Trail and grounds are still open for visitors at any time and without reservation.
I should also point out that Innerpeffray Library has a surprising array of activities throughout the year, from musical performances, to horticultural advice, and even outdoor theatre. You can find out more about their programme of activities by following this link.
Museum of Abernethy
Irene Hallyburton’s Interview
I also got the opportunity to interview Irene Hallyburton (trustee of the Museum of Abernethy, and a PhD student in History at the University of Dundee).
The Passing Place for All
Again, I was interested to hear her feelings on the influence that Perthshire’s geography has had on its history. Irene explained that she thinks most of Perthshire’s history is related to its geographical position. She noted that:
“… on land all routes pass through it, roads and railways when they came, and the River Tay leads straight to its heart, bring trade and influence from the continent and other parts of Britain. The Romans especially saw the importance of this part of Scotland. Most likely accessing the interior via the Tay from Bertha and on up the Gask Ridge.”
History in the Feild
Looking into more ‘recent’ history (meaning approximately the past three hundred years) I asked if she could think of one event which she personally considered to have shaped our area in the most lasting and noticeable way.
Irene’s Phd is on Agricultural improvement so she had particular insight into its role in Perthshire’s history. As she put it:
“… while that’s not a single event, it shaped the way we live and the landscapes we live in more than almost anything else in history!”
All in One Place
I also wondered if someone visiting Perthshire might be able to enjoy a microcosm of our history in a visit to a single site. When I asked Irene she opted for Elcho Castle:
“I’m going to say Elcho Castle. I think we can’t overemphasise the role the Tay has played in the history of Perthshire and the castle’s commanding location just as the river approaches Perth would have been very strategic. Overseeing the Tay River highway towards the sea nothing would have been able to approach without notice. With goods or seaborne threats coming in and the produce, including salmon of course, heading abroad from this famously fertile part of Scotland.”
A Lost History?
Another question I had in regard to our area’s history was whether Irene thought there might be any part of Perthshire’s history which can be neglected when sharing our story with visitors and tourists.
“I think Perth, and Perthshire had lost its historical place. The big cities took over, and I think we let it happen. It’s more than likely been a settlement of some sort here for over 10,000 years, so its difficult to pick one. John Knox’s 1659 sermon in St Johns Church is probably one of the more ‘recent’ that I’d bring to the attention of visitors. It effectively started the Scottish Reformation which has shaped much of the character of Scotland and its people ever since.
“My hope is that with the new Museum in the centre of Perth realised, housing the Stone of Scone closer to its home than it has been in a long time, we can pull people to Perth, and Perthshire, and reclaim its place as an important historical centre.”
Finally, I asked Irene about the parts of our history which tend to draw the most interest from visitors that she encounters. Irene explained:
“From an Abernethy point-of-view, it seems to be the Picts who bring visitors to Abernethy, and of course the VERY famous, round Tower! But Perthshire has something for everyone!”
Visiting the Museum of Abernethy
The Museum is open from Saturday 6th May and will be open every Wednesday to Sunday between 1 pm and 4 pm, until Sunday 1st of October
It’s free to enter but donations are welcome
You can get more information on their website here: https://www.museumofabernethy.co.uk/index.php
Local History Month Events
As I noted at the beginning of this episode it also happens to be Local History Month so I thought I’d point you towards the Culture Perth and Kinross Eventbrite feed which shows details on various events associated with Local History Month.
Among the events you’ll find:
Perth & Kinross from the Archives of Historic Environment Scotland
“In this talk, Neil Fraser will explore archive images, film and sound from the local area and throughout Scotland. He will use Canmore (canmore.org.uk) to investigate how human activity has shaped Scotland and demonstrate how Scran (scran.ac.uk) can be used to access material culture and human history from archives, galleries and museums across Scotland and beyond.”
Date and time: Thu, 25 May 2023 12:00 – 13:00 BST
Location: A K Bell Library York Place Perth PH2 8EP
Saving the Nation’s Newspapers: A partnership project
“In this talk, Claire Hutchinson will focus on the conservation methodology created, the types of damage commonly associated with this fragile format, the challenges for digitisation, and the types of treatment undertaken. In addition to these efforts, the NLS is collaborating with holders of key Scottish newspaper titles, including Perth & Kinross. By working together, the NLS and local libraries are strengthening their relationship and expanding the range of resources and services available to the community.”
Date and time: Tue, 23 May 2023 18:00 – 19:00 BST
Location: AK Bell Library 2-8 York Place Perth PH2 8EP
Patrick Geddes: A Vigorous Institution
“Sir Patrick Geddes was brought up in Perth, going on to world celebrity as a biologist, Town Planner, re-educator and peace warrior, years ahead of his contemporaries. His influence was felt not only in Britain but in France, India and Palestine. In recent years he has re-emerged as a founding father of the green movement.
Walter Stephen is a former Chairman of the Sir Patrick Geddes Memorial Trust and will give an illustrated talk embodying his recent findings on Geddes’s early days in Perth, which provided a confident basis for a lifetime devoted to the improvement of the human condition.”
Date and time: Wed, 24 May 2023 14:00 – 15:00 BST
Location: A K Bell Library York Place Perth PH2 8EP
Other PerthshireHour Mentions
KIDS CLOTHES SWAP
CrieffConneXions is hosting a Kids Clothes swap on Saturday 10th June 2023 from 10 am till 1pm they’re along at Penny Lane on Church St in Crieff
BRASS CENTRAL STRATHEARN Coffee Morning
Please come, enjoy your coffee and be entertained by our junior and senior band
Saturday 3rd June @St. Andrews Halls, 10am Strathearn Terrace, Crieff Adults £5 School Age £2 <5s free
Raffle + Rehome, Regift & Reuse stall
www.brasscentralstrathearn.co.uk
Scottish Charity no. 052284
brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
Next Week on PerthshireHour
Next week will be focussing on the food and drink of Perthshire so please feel free to share your favourite places to eat, drink, and any surprise foodie finds that you personally enjoy in the area. Use the comments section below if that’s easy enough.
If you happen to run a local food or drink company and would like to talk about your business and what you do I’d love to include you in the episode as well so please get in touch using my contact page at greenflamecreative.com
As always, thanks for listening,
All the best, John
Green Flame Creative 