Blairingone

Exploring Blairingone History


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From web master:
I would like to insert links to Blairingone web sites that contain family history, old and new photographs
of the Blairingone area and reminiscences of the area. For a link into your site click here.

This page should be the natural starting point for any one wishing to carry out research into the Blairingone
area history.

Old Postcard,
The village. There are only two villages in the parishes (AD 1798); one at the Crook of Devon, and the other at Blairingone. They are both burghs of barony. The former holds of the family of Tulliebole, the latter belongs to the family of Atholl; both of them have the privilege of holding markets. At the Crook of Devon, there are two markets annually, the one in May, the other in October. At Blairingone, there is one held in the month of June. Little business is transacted at the Blairingone markets; but the Crook markets, which are for black-cattle, being pretty well attended, may with attention and care, by brought to considerable perfection, and prove very serviceable to the country at large. The only public houses in the parishes, are in those villages; two at the Crook of Devon, and two at Blairingone. They may perhaps be all necessary, as, independent of the markets, both villages are on the high road, and Blairingone adjoining the Duke of Atholl's coal-work; but it is universally found, that too many houses, where ardent spirits are sold, do hurt both to the morals and circumstances of the people

Map of the area

Fossoway Community Council (Modern)

The History of the Blairingone area taken from
the 1st Statistical Account 1798
Parishes of Fossaway and Tulliebole.
(Counties of Perth and Kinross)
By the Rev. Mr. Graham.

Blairingone school 1927
Old Postcard,
The school at Blairingone, is for the benefit of the children belonging to the work people of the colliery. The teacher at Blairingone has very small encouragement; nothing but what arises from the wages paid him by the scholars, and a small subscription, which does not exceed L.9 annually. If nothing more can be procured, it is probable, that in a short time this school will be given up, to the great detriment of the village. The salary of the parochial schoolmaster, is L.5: 11s. 1d. sterling, per annum, in money, with a piece of land, worth about the same sum; and the emoluments arising from the offices of precentor and session-clerk. Parochial schoolmasters commonly receive a good education, are a body of men of great importance to this country, and certainly deserve much better encouragement. from the landed proprietors, than they at present receive.

The Name Blairingone, Blairingoithne; "the field of spears;" So called perhaps from making weapon-shawings there, and exercising people in the use of the spear, near the seat of the chief. For the chieftain of the Murrays had a family seat at this place. The Scottish spear was an instrument of war much used in the lowlands; and was always found to be more than a match for the highland broad sword. A proof of this, appears in that rencounter which took place between Huntly and Murray, at Corrichie, October 28th, 1562. Dr. Robertson, when mentioning this affair, saith, "The highland broad sword is not a weapon fit to encounter the Scottish spear. In every civil commotion, the superiority of the latter has been evident; and has always decided the contest." By statute, 1481, chp.81, it is enacted, that spears shall not be made, or sold, that are shorter than 5 ells and a half. Gartwhinzian, from Gart, an head, and Coinnean, a meeting or rendezvous. Every chieftain had a known place of rendezvous, to which the whole clan were obliged to repair, on a signal given. The Rocky Pinnacle, now vulgarly called Gibson's Craig, is said to be the real Gartwhinzian, where the whole clan of the Murrays assembled to attend their chief.

The coal which is wrought at present, is at Blairingone, and belongs to the Duke of Atholl. It is found, however, in several other parts of Fossaway, although not wrought., None of this coal is shipped; because it is at a distance from the sea, and besides, the quantity thrown out, is not sufficient to answer, throughout the year, the present demand. The price of the small coal, is 6d. for 3 burdens; for the great coal, 10d. for 24 stones, Tron weight. The driving of lime and coal, is attended with the material disadvantage of bad roads. The noblemen and gentlemen, are, however, exerting themselves to remedy this evil; but it never will be effectually done, until turnpikes are established. The local advantages which have been mentioned, ought to encourage inclosing and improvements; and should induce proprietors and tenants, to exert themselves, to carry them farther than they have yet been carried; especially as it has been found, that land which before being improved, produced no more than between 5 and 6 bolls, from one boll of feed, have after being improved, been brought to yield upwards of 11. In the parishes, there is also iron-stone; but at present, it is not wrought.

Palace-Brae. The old Earls of Tullibardine had a family seat at Blairingone, on the north west side of the southern branch of Fossaway. The site of this old building is still visible, and goes by the name of the Palace-Brae.

The Murder

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