Northeast Scotland - Scotland - page 478

THE ABERLEMNO STONES

Five miles northeast of Forfar, on the B9134, are the mysterious Aberlemno stones , some of Scotland's finest Pic-
tish symbol stones. By the roadside there are three 7th- to 9th-century slabs with various symbols, including the z-
rod and double disc, and in the churchyard at the bottom of the hill there's a magnificent 8th-century stone display-
ing a Celtic cross, interlace decoration, entwined beasts and, on the reverse, scenes of the Battle of Nechtansmere
(where the Picts vanquished the Northumbrians in 685). The stones are covered up from November to March; other-
wise there's free access at all times.

Kirriemuir

POP 6000
Known as the Wee Red Town because of its close-packed, red-sandstone houses, Kir-
riemuir is famed as the birthplace of JM Barrie (1860-1937), writer and creator of the
much-loved Peter Pan . A bronze statue of the 'boy who wouldn't grow up' graces the in-
tersection of Bank and High Sts.
The tourist office is in the Gateway to the Glens Museum.

Sights

JM Barrie's Birthplace
(NTS; 9 Brechin Rd; adult/child £6/5; 11am-5pm Jul & Aug, noon-5pm Sat-Wed Apr-
Jun, Sep & Oct) This is Kirriemuir's big attraction, a place of pilgrimage for Peter Pan
fans from all over the world. The two-storey house where Barrie was born has been fur-
nished in period style, and preserves Barrie's writing desk and the wash house at the back
that served as his first 'theatre'.
Your ticket also gives admission to the Camera Obscura (adult/child Camera Obscura
only £3.50/2.50; noon-5pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm Sun Jul-Sep, Sat & Sun only Easter-Jun)
on the hilltop northeast of the town centre, given to the town by Barrie himself.

MUSEUM

Gateway to the Glens Museum

MUSEUM