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All the United Kingdom Scotland Crieff Library of Innerpeffray
AO Edited

Library of Innerpeffray

Scotland's first free lending library, which protects literacy through inheritance.

Crieff, Scotland

Added By
Duncan Chappell
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Innerpeffray Library   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Innerpeffray Library   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Innerpeffray Library   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Innerpeffray Library   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
The borrower’s ledger   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Innerpeffray Library building   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Old library site inside the church   sobolevnrm/CC BY-SA 2.0
Library of Innerpeffray   duncanchappell / Atlas Obscura User
The sign directing to the library.   duncanchappell / Atlas Obscura User
Innerpeffray Chapel.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The Library and Chapel’s grounds include a short book-themed trail.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
A nice walk to the library.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Innerpeffray Chapel exterior   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
Part of the mural that can still be found in the chapel.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
One of the world’s smallest books is part of Innerpeffray’s collection.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Tapestries telling the history of Innerpeffray.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
corner cabinets   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
cabinet, shelving, ladder   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
The Library of Innerpeffray manicule   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
Surrounding grounds   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
miniature books cabinet   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque dedication to a generous testatrix   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
Path leading to the library in spring   beckyhto / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Scotland's oldest free public lending library, the library and school at Innerpeffray were founded by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie around 1680.

Madertie was a member of the Drummond Family, one of the most important landowning families of the area, friend and brother-in-law to James Graham, First Marquis of Montrose. The original library was "partly in the west end of the chapel of Innerpeffray and partly in that little new house" which Madertie built. Making books available to ordinary people free of charge was unprecedented. Madertie wished the library and school to benefit the community "in time coming" and leaving them with a legacy of 5,000 Scottish Merks, he charged his successors with the responsibility.

In 1739 Robert Hay Drummond inherited the Innerpeffray estate, and with it the responsibility for the library and school. Drummond raised the funds and commissioned architect Charles Freebairn to design and build a new library building immediately adjacent to the Chapel. This handsome Georgian edifice still houses the library today.

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Added By

duncanchappell

Edited By

beckyhto, linkogecko, Michelle Cassidy

  • beckyhto
  • linkogecko
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

September 23, 2012

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Sources
  • http://www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innerpeffray_Library
Library of Innerpeffray
Innerpeffray, By Crieff
Crieff, Scotland, PH7 3RF
United Kingdom
56.350772, -3.783971
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