Kirriemuir (or Kirrie to locals) is a pleasant little town on the northern edge of Strathmore to the north west of Forfar, near the point where Glen Clova and Glen Prosen emerge from the hills.

The old part of the town is a jumble of red sandstone houses separated by narrow wynds, and steep streets cluster around the kirk with its tall steeple. This somewhat haphazard arrangement reflects the strong individuality of its inhabitants in times gone bye as Kirrie folk were weavers, and didn’t want their front doors to face another’s.

 
Kirriemuir’s most famous son, J M Barrie, the playwright and author was born in a weaver’s house at 9 Brechin Road in 1860. This building (above) is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and has been transformed into a Barrie shrine. Outside the white-washed cottage is the little wash-house which inspired Pan’s Wendy House and, amongst the memorabilia, a letter from Captain Scott in the Antarctic to Barrie, his godfather. Inside the cottage, two rooms are devoted to Barrie relics, from his mutch or baby-cap to the leather jerkin of the first Peter Pan. Kirriemuir itself was the inspiration for “Thrums”, setting of several Barrie sketches now largely forgotten.  
 
 

For a map of the area, click here.