Kirriemuir
| Kirriemuir | |
| Angus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Location: | 56°40’9"N, 3°0’18"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 5,963 (2001) |
| Post town: | Kirriemuir |
| Postcode: | DD8 |
| Dialling code: | 01575 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Angus |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Angus |
Kirriemuir, sometimes called Kirrie, is a burgh in Angus. It was formerly known for jute manufacturing following on from its place in the 19th century home weaving industry. The town is divided into two main areas; Northmuir and Southmuir.
In his novel Auld Licht Idylls, A Window in Thrums, and The Little Minister, J M Barrie (later famed for Peter Pan) immortalised this "wee red toonie" as "Thrums". Barrie was born in Kirriemuir and his birthplace still stands on the Brechin Road, now serving as a museum owned by the National Trust of Scotland[1]. "Red" refers to the local reddish sandstone from which the town's older properties are built. The popular reception of Barrie's novels turned Kirriemuir into a Victorian tourism destination.
Kirriemuir sits looking south towards Glamis and the Sidlaws over Strathmore, one of the most fertile fruit growing areas in Scotland. Standing at the feet of the Angus glens, it is an attractive centre for hill-walking on nearby munroes, Indeed, the family estate of Sir Hugh Munro who created Munro's Tables of Scottish mountains over 3000 feet, now called "munroes" is located near the town.
Fishing, partridge, pheasant and grouse shoots and deer-stalking are carried on from Kirriemuir. A 18-hole golf course by the town has views north to Glen Clova and Glen Doll.
Culture
The town has a museum of aviation and on the hill a camera obscura donated by J M Barrie, looking out over the south and south-west and of the higher hills to the north.
A statue of Peter Pan stands in the town square in front of the old toll booth, one of two commissioned by either the Angus Milling Company Limited.