Towns in the area
Three miles south of Crieff lies Muthill, a village founded by Culdee monks before 700. Since 1974 it has been designated a conservation area with 96 listed buildings, many of which are fine examples of 18th century Scottish vernacular architecture. Known locally as ‘Little Ireland’, much of the village surrounds an ancient triangular village green.
Muthill has much to offer with a bell tower dating back to the 11thC, a folk museum housed in a 1760 Georgian cottage nearby and manned by voluntary staff, two good public houses, a charming restaurant, a local post office and shop. This is all crowned by a very well-matured 9-hole golf course that welcomes visitors with open arms.
The oldest building by far is the Norman-built bell tower located in the village’s churchyard ruins. Round Norman arched belfry windows survive. It was originally a free-standing structure and dates back to the 11th century. The church is a 12thC ecclesiastical site and in 1190 it was given to Lindores Abbey but in around 1427 it was transferred to the Bishop of Dunblane. The church was in regular use through the Reformation and up until 1826 when the new and larger church nearby was opened.
Muthill was largely destroyed, as were others, in early 1716 by Jacobites burning all before them while retreating after the Battle of Sherrifmuir. The government paid compensation to its residents, but only 60 years later. Much of what a visitor sees today dates back to the later part of 1700s and this gives the village a real sense of unity with many cottages made from the same sand stone which line the main street.
