An iconic element of Kirriemuir”s streetscape has been replaced ahead of the town”s celebration of J. M. Barrie.
Weaver’s son James Matthew Barrie was born in the wee red town 150 years ago this week. He embarked on a career as an author and playwright that would spawn his most notable creation: Peter Pan.
His influence on the Angus town and the literary world is being celebrated with a packed programme of events that gets under way in earnest on Friday.
Now, a new granite plaque will alert visitors to one of the many properties in Kirrie which influenced his writing and have brought countless visitors to the town over subsequent generations.
In 1889, Barrie wrote A Window In Thrums, a fictional snapshot of Scottish life, from his home on the corner of Forfar Road and Glamis Road.
The window in his story is on the east gable of a weaver’s cottage which sat opposite the Barrie family home and it has been captured by tourists from around the world, as well as featuring in postcards, books and pictures associated with Kirrie and the creator of the Boy Who Never Grew Up.
The Friends of the town’s Gateway to the Glens museum commissioned local sculptor and engraver Bruce Walker to create a new granite sign for the wall of the cottage, which was hung yesterday in time for the 2010 celebration programme.
“Down the years there have been a succession of wooden signs for A Window In Thrums, but this is a more permanent reminder and the Friends are delighted to provide it as a contribution to the anniversary celebrations,” group secretary David Orr said.
A Window In Thrums is now in the bedroom of six-year-old Baris Sumgurtas, whose family have been happy to receive a steady stream of visitors since they bought the property some five years ago.
The Northmuir Primary pupil’s Turkish-born father Suat and Scots mum Julie said they were aware of the cottage’s place in history before they moved in and are happy to have their home photographed so often.
“In the summer time lots of people come to the house to speak to us and take photographs,” Suat told The Courier.