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Meigle - History

(Information kindly provided by Jean Ruffhead)

Meigle, the oldest village in Scotland, has existed since before the birth of Christ. Situated in the narrowest part of Strathmore, it marks the natural convergence of the Stone Age trading routes that would have existed to travellers coming from the south, north and west. Being close to fresh water and surrounded by large bogs and marshland (from which the original village name of Meggill derives), the village had natural defences and offered an ideal location for trade and the hunter gatherers of that time. Little factual history of this area is known before the arrival of the Roman invasion forces of the 1st. century AD, when a Roman military camp of over 8 acres was established at nearby Cardean. This was occupied until the withdrawal of Roman forces from this part of Scotland in the 3rd. century. From that time a settlement was established at Meigle which laid the foundations of the present community. Meigle Museum of Pictish Stones (situated next to Meigle Church), contains the finest collection of Pictish stones in Europe. This outstanding collection, all of which originated in the burial ground, was housed in the museun (orginally the Old School House) by Sir James kinloch in 1877. A substantial number of these Pictish Stones, all of which date from the 6th to 9th century, display the mysterious symbols which were used as a form of pictorial communication by the Picts up to the middle of the 9th. century AD. For information on opening times please press here. Meigle's Victoria Park was originally pasture land used for the grazing of cattle until, in 1919, it became a leisure park for the village community. The memorial gateway (erected 1921) was unveiled by the Duke of Atholl to the memory of those who fell in the Great War. The park itself was opened in 1922 and continues to provide a haven of rest as well as sports facilities for the village and surrounding area. After the second World War a second plaque was erected at the Victory Gate to the memory of those who fell at that time. Amongst the names of those who give their lives you will find that of sub-mariner, Lt. Commander M D Wanklyn, who was awarded the Victoria Cross. Meigle House has an interesting history, together with its strange steading. The house is said to have been built on the site of a Pictish castle, probably occupied by Simon de Meggill sometime in the 12th century. The history of the steading is still unknown, although it was probably built in the 16th century using stone taken from the demolished Abbey at Coupar Angus. Some believe it may have been an inn for travellers. Its builder is known to have said that he would "build a house that would neither burn nor fall". This site may also have been the location of an early monastery or scriptorium, which would have housed monks involved in writing books of the gospels and psalms. Within the grounds of Belmont Park, just south of the village, you will see an Iron Age burial mound which, according to tradition, was used for the burial of Isabella McDuff of "Macbeth" who, it is said, was imprisoned in the original Belmont Castle. Parts of this castle are still visible, having been built into the present building. Also within the grounds you will see an iron age standing stone, probably the remainder of of a stone circle on that site. Within the grounds are excellent woodland walks and, if your are fortunate, you may catch sight of some of the wildlife here, such as fallow deer or the increasingly rare red squirrels. Further into the park you will see the Belmont castle, now an eventide home run by the Church of Scotland. The castle, originally known as "Kirkhill", was the residence of the ancient Bishops of Dunkeld, several of whom are buried in the Churchyard. The castle was also the home of Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, Prime Minister of Britain from 1905 until his death in 1908. His grave can be seen in the churchyard. At the western entrance of the Belmont estate you will see the Lodge House, in the garden of which is a very large iron age standing stone. This stone bears the strange cup marks made by iron age man some 1,500 years before Christ. Early Columban Christianity was established in the area in the early 7th. century. The first Church was built on the site of the present church about 606AD. The building itself would have been of simple construction, probably with turf or wattle, and daub walls with a reed or shingle roof. First built less than 100years after the arrival of St. Columba in Iona, a succession of churches have been built on this site, culminating in the present church which was rebuilt after a fire in 1869. In about 849AD the Celtic Scribe "Thana" lived in Meigle and here wrote the History of St. Regulus (also named St. Rule), for the Chronicles of St. Andrews. It was St. Rule who brought the relics of St. Andrews to Scotland. Thana was tasked to write the history by the son of Bergeth, King of the Picts, from 839 to 842. In 1183 the income of the parish Church of Meigle (Meggill) was granted by the Lord of the Manor, Simon De Meggill, to the Canons of the Priory of St. Andrews and later to the Bishops of Dunkeld, the ancient capital of Kenneth McAlpin, King of the Scots from 845 AD. The church site contains many Pictish graves, the most famous of which is Vanora's Mound. This is to be found in front of the main entrance to the church. The grave, legend informs us, is supposed to contain the remains of Queen Guinevere of Arthurian Legend. Near to the main entrance church gate was found evidence of underground pictish dwellings which would have been present here when the invading Roman Army established a camp nearby at 'Caerdean' in the 1st. century AD.

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