Explore Stirling and the Forth Valley

The Dunblane Heritage Trail

The cathedral town of Dunblane a short ten minutes drive from the City of Stirling. Here we have put together a short trail with the assistance of the Dunblane Local History Society with special thanks to Janice Ainsley.

The name Dunblane probably comes from 'dun' or stonghold of St Blane (an early 7th Century missionary). In the Middle Ages it was the centre of an extensive bishopric with a magnificent cathedral that still dominates the town today.

  1. The Dunblane Museum

in The Dean's House bears the arms of Pearson of Kippenross who was Dean in 1624, the upper floors were added in 1765.Opened in 1943, initially to collect archival items to do with Dunblane Cathedral. Visit the Medieval Room, Reformation Room, Dunblane and Restoration Room and the Art Gallery. View the large collection of Communion Tokens and a 4000 year old necklace. Open 6 days (closed Sundays) May to September. Free entry, manned by volunteers. Donations help towards running costs. Opposite the Cathedral in Dunblane. www.dunblanemuseum.org.uk
 

2. The Cross, this is where the Mercat Cross would have stood and the weekly market and annual fairs held.

3. Dunblane Cathedral

the lower part of the cathedral tower is the oldest surviving part dating from the 12th century. The main cathedral was built by Bishop Clement in the middle of the 13th century. After the reformation in 16th century the nave roof collapsed, but the chancel continued to be used as the parish church with 'lofts' or galleries being added to accommodate the congregation. The cathedral was fully restored in 1893.

Inside the Cathedral

you will see some of Scotland's finest Medieval carved woodwork as well as the 20th century carved pulpit, choir stalls, reredos screen and the Flentrop organ case. In the Choir there are three blue slabs set in to the floor to commemorate James IV's wife Margaret Drummond and her two sisters who were poisoned allegedly by some nobles who wanted the King to marry Princess Margaret of England.

Dunblane Cathedral is open April to September daily 9.30am to 6pm, Sundays 2 to 6pm. October to March to 4pm.

4. The Bishop's Palace, here you can see all that is left of the once extensive medieval palace, last inhabited in 1579.

5. On your left you will see a stone pillar in the middle of the grass, this was the town's 'bleaching green' in the 19th century and prior to that the Palace Gardens.

6. The Town's Meal Mill was located at the end of Mill Row, hence its name today. This was the original route in to Dunblane dating back over a thousand years. The ford across the Allan Water would have been beneath the present bridge at the end of Mill Row.

7. The Old Bridge was built by Bishop Finlay Dermoch in 1410 and widened in the 19th and 20th centuries. If you look carefully under the arch of the bridge you will be able to see two distinct styles of stone work, the original being faced in yellow sandstone.

8. Allanside House

 This is the large white building nearest the bridge as you look upstream and was built in the late 18th century as a worship place for the 'Auld Lichts' a break away sect from the established church. The large windows let the day light in to the church, the rest of the building was the minister's living quarters.

9. The Stirling Arms Hotel was built in the 18th century accommodating Robert Burns, Scotland's National bard in 1787. It is interesting that he had obtained an appointment as excise (customs) man in Dunblane, but died before taking up the post.

10. The High Street developed in the 15th century following the erection of the bridge. All traffic passed north along High Street until the early 20th century. It must have been a busy place!

11. The Leighton Library

was built in 1687 as a result of Robert Leighton Bishop of Dunblane (1661 to 1669) leaving £100 (a huge sum in those days) with his large collection of books. The library still contains Leighton's 17th century books with some 18th and 19th century additions. The wall of the building contains a large carved panel with a bishop's mitre. For details of opening hours contact Barty's Solicitors, Tel: 01786 822296

Dunblane Community web site gives a lot of detailed information on Dunblane.