Innerpeffray Library



Innerpeffray is the oldest free lending library in the country, founded about 1691. It was established by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie, brother-in-law of the "Great Marquis of Montrose".
The library is particularly rich in old bibles, including a copy of the so called "Treacle Bible" and a bible carried by the Marquis of Montrose.

The oldest printed books are a copy of Barclay's"Ship of Fools" dated 1508 and the Paris edition of Hector Boece's "Chronicles" printed in 1527.
The books were originally housed in attic of the adjacent chapel, but between 1750 and 1758 Archbishop Hay Drummond erected the present building and added his own library to the collection.
The Collegiate Chapel of St Mary and graveyard are adjacent. The Chapel has the remains of a painted ceiling and was re-built in 1507-8 by the Drummond family.
The old school buildings, founded in 1680, can also be seen.