Dunblane
is one of the country's smallest cities but has a rich and colourful
heritage that far outweighs its size. The story of this charming city is
interwoven with that of its magnificent Cathedral.
Come and discover Dunblane and Sheriffmuir.
Dunblane
was founded in 602 A.D. by the Celtic missionary St. Blane (from whom
the city derives its name). He lived with his followers in beehive
shaped stone cells inside the old Dun or hill fort behind the town. St.
Blane founded a church here and became one of the most prestigious
churchmen of his time, known as 'Blaan the Triamphant'. After St.
Blane's death (640 A.D.) Dunblane became a stronghold of the Culdee
church who were probably responsible for building the lower four storeys
of the cathedral tower. However, it was not until 1240 and the arrival
of the 8th bishop, Clement, that building work began on the cathedral as
it can be seen today. From then on Dunblane became an important centre
of church and state.
Although
Dunblane is a thriving and prosperous community it actually reached the
peak of its prestige and prosperity in 1500 when King James IV, who
ruled Scotland from the nearby Royal burgh of Stirling, elected it a
city. However, the fortunes of Dunblane took a dramatic turn during the
Reformation when local landowners seized back the land their ancestors
had gifted centuries before to the church and without funds the
cathedral crumbled into ruin. Dunblane's importance dwindled rapidly and
it became only a poor weaving village noted for its trafficking in drink
and tobacco. However, the skills of the weaver stayed with Dunblane and
in King George IV's famous tartan review (1822), the Dunblane Tartan, of
14 different colours, was the most complicated of all recorded District
tartans to weave, and remains a tribute to local skill
For
many centuries the focal point of Dunblane has been its magnificent
cathedral, which dates back in part to the 12th century and is one of
Scotland's few surviving medieval churches. Viewed from the outside, the
Cathedral is an impressive sight, but its true beauty lies within. A
sentinel of towering pillars and archways of weathered stone stand guard
in the nave, overlooked by colourful religious icons of stained glass.
The decorative woodcarvings are an added glory and each of the floral
carvings on the Scots oak pews is unique. In front of the alter lies
three slabs of Tournail limestone marked as the resting place of
Margaret Drummond, and her two sisters, who was reputed to have been the
secret wife of King James IV.
3
miles east of Dunblane is the secluded spot of Sheriffmuir. It was here
on the 13 November 1715 that a Jacobite uprising culminated in the
bloody battle of Sheriffmuir. It was an inconclusive battle in which the
right wing of each army overcame the opposing left wing and in the end
neither could truly claim victory. An old Scots ballad immortalised the
battle with the words "some say that they won, and some say that we
won, and some say that none won at a". The great burial mounds are
still visible as is the gathering stone where the powerful Duke of
Argyll is said to have watched the opposing Jacobite army gather. Today
Sheriffmuir is a hauntingly desolate spot that offers superb views and
has a charming hostelry. The Jacobite cause touched the Dunblane area
once again in 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at Balhaldie House
on his way south with his Highland army. Ironically six months later the
Duke of Cumberland stopped at Dunblane while pursuing the prince and his
army now in retreat. A serving girl from Balhaldie House nearly altered
the course of history by throwing down a pail of boiling oil at the Duke
which narrowly missed him.
The
coming of the railway in 1845 brought prosperity back to the town and
large villas were built for wealthy Victorian commuters. The huge Hydro,
now a luxury hotel, was built as a spa in 1875 to take advantage of the
local mineral waters. The magnificent cathedral was restored to its
original glory in 1889 and is full of splendour and medieval treasures.
As John Ruskin wrote "He was no common man who designed the
cathedral of Dunblane. I know of nothing so perfect in its simplicity,
and so beautiful in all Gothic with which I am acquainted".
Visitors
to this ancient city can enjoy
its rich history!
|
