Kirriemuir
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Kirriemuir
Getting around Angus | Arbroath | Montrose | Brechin | Guide to Dundee | Forfar and Glamis | Kirriemuir | Angus Glens | Buy A Pass
Kirriemuir, or Kirrie as it's known locally, is the ideal spot for those wishing to explore the beautiful Angus Glens, or visit Glamis Castle, only five miles south, or simply for those who wish to get off the tartan trail and stay in a lovely, unspoiled wee town.
Phone code: +44 (0)1575 | Population: 5,300
Getting There
Strathtay Scottish, Tel. 01382-228054, runs hourly buses (Mon-Sat, less frequently on Sun) to and from Dundee (1 hr 10 mins). There are also buses every hr to Forfar (25 mins) and twice a day (except Sun) to Glamis. There's a postbus service, Tel. 01463-256200, from Kirriemuir to Glen Prosen (once daily except Sun) and Glen Clova (twice on weekdays, once on Sat). The Tourist Information Centre is on Cumberland Cl, Tel. 574097. Apr-Jun and Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1700; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 0930-1730.
Sights
Kirrie's claim to fame is as the birthplace of JM Barrie (1860-1937), creator of Peter Pan, the little boy who never grew up. Barrie was the son of a hand-loom weaver and ninth of 10 children. His classic tale of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, written in 1904, is said to have been inspired by the memory of his older brother, who died while still young. Kirrie is the fictional Thrums of Barrie's autobiographical novel, A Window in Thrums. Barrie's birthplace can be visited at 9 Brechin Road. The humble little weaver's cottage is now managed by the NTS, and the upper floor is furnished as it would have been when he lived there. The adjacent house features an exhibition of his literary and theatrical works. The outside wash-house is said to have been his first theatre and the model for the house built for Wendy by the Lost Boys in Never-Never Land. Barrie is also buried in Kirrie, at the nearby St Mary's Episcopal Church.
Buy A Pass which includes Camera Obscura in Kirriemuir
1 Apr-30 Sep Mon-Sat 1100-1730, Sun 1330-1730. Weekends only in Oct Sat 1100-1730, Sun 1330-1730. Tel. 572646.
At the top of Kirriemuir Hill is a camera obscura, which offers a panorama of the surrounding Strathmore countryside and the glens to the north. At the southern end of town, at Bellies Brae, is the Aviation Museum, which houses a large, eclectic collection of Second World War memorabilia.
Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700. Free (donations welcome).
Birdwatchers should head a few miles west of town, just off the B951, to the Loch of Kinnordy and RSPB Reserve, where there are two hides overlooking the loch and wetlands.
Sleeping
There's not a huge choice of accommodation in Kirrie. Best of all is the Airlie Arms Hotel, St Malcom's Wynd, Tel. 572847. A converted medieval monastery now a small, comfortable hotel, offers cheap bar meals and decent, moderately priced evening meals. Among the few B&Bs are Woodlands, at Lisden Gdns, Tel. 572582; and Crepto, at 1 Kinnordy Pl, Tel. 572746. Those wishing to stay longer can rent a self-catering cottage next door to Barrie's birthplace, for £250-320 per week for up to 4 people. Contact the National Trust for Scotland head office.
Self Catering Cottages in Kirriemuir
FORESIDE OF CAIRN (near KIRRIEMUIR) - Prosen Cottage - Angus Sleeps 8
Eating & Entertainment
The best restaurant in the area is the Lochside Lodge, by the Loch of Lintrathen, Tel. 560340, 6 miles along the B951, then take the turning left for Bridge of Lintrathen. This converted farmstead serves moderately priced modern Scottish cooking and also rents rooms. In town, the Airlie Arms.
The Thrums Hotel, Bank St, is an awful place to stay loud and disruptive by those using and leaving the bar. A great café is 88 degress. Would eat there everyday if we could but it wasn't open enough.
Kirriemuir is well known for its Folk Festival, held on the first weekend in Sep each year. The best venues for live music are the Airlie Arms, the Roods Bar nearby, and Three, Bellies Brae, which may be an unusual name for a pub, but is a very welcoming watering hole.