Welcome to Kirriemuir

Kirriemuir is located on a tributary of the River Esk, in the Scottish county of Angus, approximately 477 miles north of London and 17 miles north of Dundee.

The town has a population of around 5,700. Administratively it is within the district of Angus which covers an area of approximately 2,182 sq kms.

It is an attractive town of narrow winding streets and sandstone cottages lying on the southern slopes of the Braes of Angus. Renowned as the birthplace of J M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan (his birthplace is now a museum), it was once an important centre of the textile industry and today is a busy visitor destination. There are some notable historic buildings, including the old Town House built in 1604, and it is an excellent base from which to explore the magnificent scenery of the Glens.

There was a settlement on the site of Kirriemuir from as early as 1458, though early chroniclers disagree about the spelling of its name. Both Kelliemoore and Killymure appear on early maps. The town developed as a textile centre and, by the 19th century, there were 2000 hand loom weavers in and around the town. Some of the industry remains to this day, including the country's only surviving jute mill. The town is a centre of tourism and a centre for hill walking, fishing, shooting and deer stalking.

Historically the town's economy was based upon textiles, but today the service industry, including tourism, is the largest sector of the local economy, employing 62% of all workers.