Kirriemuir

(The Wee Red Toon)
Angus

Peter Pan Statue, Kirriemuir
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Peter Pan Statue, Kirriemuir

A small red sandstone town in the valley of Strathmore, Angus, Kirriemuir is situated on the Gairie Burn 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Forfar. Described as the 'Gateway to the Glens', its settlement dates back at least to mediaeval times. Once a centre of handloom weaving and later jute processing, it now lies at the heart of rich farming land and has textile and milling industries. Its most famous son was J.M. Barrie (1860 - 1937) whose birthplace is now maintained by the National Trust for Scotland. There is a Camera Obscura on Kirrie Hill which was gifted to the town by Barrie. Between 1987 and 2007, there was a remarkable aviation museum at the foot of Bellie's Brae. Visitors were knowledgeably guided through the artefacts and memorabilia, which filled every corner, by its founder Richard Moss, an RAF veteran of World War II. On his death the collection passed to the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. Kirriemuir Gingerbread was first made here by local baker Walter Burnett, although he sold his recipe in the 1940s and it is now owned by Bell's of Shotts.

Kirriemuir was also the birthplace of the film star David Niven (1909-83) and the rock star Bon Scott (1946-80). The town has a leisure centre with a swimming pool and in September holds a weekend festival. In 1961 it gave its name to a 2100-m (6889-feet) mountain in Greenland.


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