There are so many literary destinations in Scotland that it’s hard to choose where to begin, but I’ll start with a recommendation for those who have been taken with one of the most famous characters in history - Peter Pan. Written by Scottish author J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up, has its roots in Kirriemuir in Angus. Angus is known for being home to the famous Glamis Castle - the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth and also the inspiration for the setting of Macbeth. To give you some location context, it's approximately 70 miles North of Edinburgh.
Depending on where you're staying in Scotland you can easily make this a day trip with plenty to see. When you tour Glamis you'll also have the opportunity to take in nature trails and see a beautiful area of Scotland.
The castle and surrounding area is beautiful. After you're done exploring there you can make your way to see where J.M. Barrie's life began - Kirriemuir. If you go to the town today you can see a statue of Peter Pan and the nearby J.M. Barrie Memorial Fountain - erected shortly after Barrie's death in 1937. You can also visit Barrie’s gravesite. Although he died in London it was his request to be buried near his parents and the siblings who preceded him in death. You can find his headstone in the cemetery on the south side of the Hill of Kirriemuir, overlooking the town.
Photo by: KemnayScot
Also on the Hill of Kirriemuir you can see the Kirriemuir Camera Obscura which was built into a cricket pavilion that was gifted to Kirriemuir by J.M. Barrie in 1930. If you’re wondering what a Camera Obscura is you’re not alone. I had to look that one up when I first hear about it. It’s actually pretty cool. Here’s a definition: “Camera obscura, also referred to as pinhole image, is the natural optical phenomenon that occurs when an image of a scene at the other side of a screen is projected through a small hole in that screen as a reversed and inverted image on a surface opposite to the opening.” These were popular in the 19th century most often used by artists to make quick sketches. There are only a few left in the UK. This one offers really beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
Photo by: Callum Black
While you’re there you can check out the Peter Pan themed playground, “Neverland,” as well.
Photo © Oliver Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)
The main attraction, though, is J.M Barrie’s birthplace turned museum. The weaver's cottage where he was born still stands at 9 Brechin Road. It, along with the house next-door, has been turned into a small museum. You can tour the house and see where a young Barrie slept and ate, and you can view Peter Pan memorabilia - including original costumes from early productions of Peter Pan, and Barrie’s writing desk from his flat in London where he wrote Peter Pan. Make sure you don’t miss the small washhouse behind the museum which is where Barrie performed his first play at age 7, and was the probable inspiration for the Wendy house that the Lost Boys built for Wendy in Neverland.
Photo by: Beth
I've always been fascinated with J.M. Barrie's writing, and once I started digging deeper I wanted to know as much as possible about who Barrie was and how he came to be one of the most famous playwrights in history . He says so much in Peter Pan - so much more than the quotes about crocodiles and clocks that we all know him for. It's worth taking the time to read his original manuscript and/or the novel he subsequently wrote, and it's definitely worth taking the time to see the sites in Kirriemuir.
View of Glamis Castle taken from the Italian Garden
(Cp111)
Interested in other areas of Scotland? Check out our post where we recommend can't miss sites for a first-timer's trip to Edinburgh here.
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