Community Services
Scotland's oldest free-handling library, the Innerpeffray library is open to all strata of society. It was founded in 1680 for the dissemination of learning and wisdom by David 3rd Lord Madertie. He was brother-in-law to the 'Great Marquis of Montrose' and lived nearby in Innerpeffray Castle, now unroofed.
Innerpeffray Library is set halfway along the B8062 from Crieff to Auchterarder. It is a literary jewel set in the Perthshire countryside above the River Earn among tree. The Drummond family burial ground with its stone roofed chapel of St Mary and ancient yews is adjacent.
Opening Hours :
March - October {Wed-Sat} 10h00 - 12h45; 14h00 - 16h45
Sunday 14h00 -16h00.
Mon-Tue - Closed
Tel: 01764 652819
Pre-arranged parties can be provided with refreshments
The original 400 books were housed in the chapel, (entry free, in the care of Historic Scotland). Robert Hay Drummond, Archbishop of York, had the present 18th century library erected. The Library moved in1762 and increased to about 3,800 volumes by the addition of the Archbishop's collection. The 700 Books acquired since 1800 can be handled freely (lending no longer takes palace). The earlier books cover exploration, geography, natural history, farming, laws ancient and more recent, sermons and politics. Also astrology, demonology and literature.
There are splendid bibles in English, 1541 and 1607, French, 1530 and Montrose's own pocket bible, German, Luther 1570, and miniature ones printed in Victorian times. Raleigh's History of the World, Camden's Britannia and Hondius's Atlas of 1638 are part of Lord Madertie's collection shared and signed by Montrose. Academic researchers are encouraged since there is a complete list of borrowers from 1747 to 1968 and Scots Magazine from 1739 to 1789.
The Impact of Rome
All roads lead to Rome but one Roman Road leads to Innerpeffray. The new display is a small sample of all the books in the Library about Rome , the culture of the Caesars, and their commerce which cornered the trade of the known world of the age of sail and oar. Bishop Robert Hay Drummond and david Lord Madertie would have been fluent tin Latin, the language of Education and familiar with Greek the language of the New testament. These books on Rome show its religion, its history and it's literature. The booklets at the back show scenes from the Roman Frontier-79 AD; at the huge fort at Ardoch, by Braco, and also just across the River Earn from the Library, the marks of Strageath Fort.
| FOIL 2008 PROGRAMME | |
| Unless otherwise stated, meetings start in the Schoolroom at 7 pm for 7.30 pm. Wine and light refreshments are served from 7 pm. | |
| Booking in advance is essential only for the Newton Castle visit in May, and for the Jazz Concert and the Carol Concert. | |
| Wednesday Mar 26: | Local historian Colin Mayall on Strathearn’s Lost Heritage. |
| Wednesday Apr 16: | AGM starting at 6.30 pm. Followed by the Ted Powell Memorial Talk by Anne Seaton, author of Lexicograms. |
| Wednesday May 14: | Dr James Grant on James Clerk Maxwell, the 19th century Scottish scientist renowned for his revolutionary work, including on electricity and magnetism. |
| Wednesday May 21: | Visit to Newton Castle, home of Sir William Macpherson, starting 2.30 pm. (Maximum 20 persons; coach if sufficient numbers). |
| Wednesday Jun 18: | Historian Michael Halsey on The Knights Templar. Wednesday July 9: Concert in the Chapel by Peter Davenport’s Jazz Band - a recital of New Orleans jazz. Wine will be served at the interval. Concert starts 7.30 pm; doors open 7 pm. |
| Wednesday Aug 20: | Rory Stewart, author, traveller, provincial administrator in post-invasion Iraq, on Afghanistan and Iraq. |
| Wednesday Sep 17: | Archaeologist David Woolliscroft on The Antonine Wall and an update on Innerpeffray excavations. |
| Wednesday Oct 15: | David Strachan of Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust on the Tay Log Boat discovery. |
| Wednesday Dec 17: | Carol Concert in the Chapel. Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. Concert starts 7.30 pm; doors open 7 pm. |
