Experience the beauty of Ardvorlich House, an enchanting estate nestled on the south bank of Loch Earn at the foot of Ben Vorlich. This ancestral seat of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich is opening its magnificent gardens to the public for charity from April 18 to May 31. Don’t miss the opportunity to support a great cause while enjoying stunning landscapes. Details are below:
https://scotlandsgardens.org/ardvorlich/
Crieff and Strathearn Museum warmly invite you to our inaugural Summer Talks programme.
Trustees and friends of the museum will be offering a series of six talks, covering topics about Strathearn’s history, heritage and communities ranging from before 1603 to the present day – the full schedule of events is available in the attached programme.
1. C&SM Talks Programme
Talks will take place in the museum on the second Thursday of the month, May – October, from 7.30pm – 8.30pm (doors open 7.00pm). They will be held in the Ann McIntosh room, upstairs, with a live video-stream available in the accessible ground-floor space.
Entrance is free for members and by donation for non-members. Tickets are limited so advanced booking is recommended – reserve yours at the museum, or by email to ruths@crieffandstrathearnmuseum.org.uk.
We hope to see you there!
The 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Crieff and Strathearn Museum is set for Tuesday, April 21st, at 11 am in the Museum.
We invite everyone to join us for this important event!
We are thrilled to announce our inaugural event of 2026: the “Echoes of the Picts, Festival of Ancient Scotland.”
Join us this Easter Weekend, from April 4th to 5th, between 12 PM and 4 PM, for an unforgettable experience.
With free entry, immerse yourself in live music, captivating reenactments, Celtic face painting, engaging history displays, and inspiring crafts.
Together, let us celebrate the rich Pictish heritage of Strathearn!
Drumearn House stands as a stunning Victorian villa in the Ross District of Comrie, expertly designed by the esteemed architectural firm Andrew Heiton Sr. and Son for the Drummond Family, with its original design completed in 1856. The house underwent a significant westward expansion in 1870, including the addition of the campanile tower.
The rich history of Drumearn House is intricately intertwined with Comrie’s legacy as a pioneer in seismology. In 1874, the groundbreaking Earthquake House was established on the grounds to monitor seismic activity along the Highland Fault Line, making it the first facility of its kind in the world.
In 1950, the Boothby Family acquired Drumearn, and twenty years later, Brigadier Beecher took ownership. During the 1980s, Abbeyfield transformed the property into respite accommodation for the elderly, and it thrived for over twenty years, with its summer ‘strawberry tea’ event becoming a beloved highlight of the Comrie social calendar.
In 2007, Drumearn changed hands once more, with the new owner determined to restore it to a private residence. Unfortunately, that ambitious project was left unfinished, leading to years of neglect that resulted in significant deterioration of both the interior and exterior.
Now, the current owners have taken charge, having acquired the property last year. They are passionately committed to an ambitious restoration project to revitalize Drumearn and restore it to its former glory. You can follow their inspiring progress on their website: https://www.drumearnhouse.com/
Katherine Stewart-Murray, the Duchess of Atholl—affectionately known as ‘Kitty’—stands as a pioneering figure in Scottish history as its first female Member of Parliament (MP) after the franchise was extended to women. In the 1923 General Election, having ironically opposed women’s suffrage, she won the former Kinross and Western Perthshire constituency for the Unionist Party, unseating the Liberals. She would represent Strathearn as part of this constituency.
Kitty not only held her ground but also expanded her influence in the subsequent election, defeating the Labour candidate by a substantial majority. Her tenure continued until the 1938 by-election, during which she ran as an Independent after abandoning the Conservative Whip in 1935, ultimately losing a close race to the Unionist candidate, William McNair Snadden.
Kitty’s courageous and vocal opposition to authoritarianism, particularly against the fascist regimes of Germany and Italy and the totalitarianism of the Soviet Union, gave rise to her nickname, ‘Red Duchess.’ She was unafraid to stand alongside socialists in the fight for freedom and democracy, showcasing her commitment to progressive values.
Historian Amy Gray has recently shed light on Kitty’s remarkable life with her new biography, ‘Red Duchess‘ inspiring a new generation to appreciate this trailblazing leader’s legacy.
If you’re looking for in-depth insights, don’t miss Theo Clarke’s interview with Amy Gray on the ‘A Thread of One’s Own’ podcast. Check out the link here!
A creative writing workshop in Strathearn Arts on Thursday 20 November 7.30 – 9.30 to consider using local history, geography, environment and memories to stimulate your writing. No experience necessary. A nice, informal introduction to creative writing.
The launch of Barvick Falls, set entirely in Crieff in 1939, will take place at Crieff and Strathearn Museum on Sunday 23 November 2.30 pm – 3.45 pm.
The museum is closed for winter; however, we will open for the Christmas lights switch-on from 2 to 4 PM on Saturday, November 29th.
Crieff Community Trust are developing a sculpture trail in and around Crieff. They held a Sculpture Day in James Square and this statue of Rob Roy MacGregor was created. We are proud to give it a home by the Museum entrance.
The legend that was Robert McGregor (c.1671–1734) ran a lucrative protection racket and had complete control over the other cattle raiders in Argyll, Stirling and Perth. Famously, one night during the Tryst in 1714, he and his men defied the presence of Government troops in Crieff to toast “the King across the water” and sing Jacobite songs next to the Merkat Cross before making good their escape. The Merkat Cross, or Drummond Cross, is now situated inside the Museum.
David Campbell has completed his renovation of the Ann MacIntosh Room in the museum. This includes new lighting and picture hanging system and a fantastic timeline showing the development and history of Strathearn from the earliest peoples to the present day. The room also houses this year’s exhibition on the Jacobites in Strathearn.
