OS grid reference NN945125 Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district PH3 Dialling code 01764 Lieutenancy area Perth and Kinross | Country Scotland Post town AUCHTERARDER Local time Wednesday 9:56 AM Council area Perth and Kinross | |
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Population 3,945 (2001 census)
est. 4,450 (2006), Weather 3°C, Wind SW at 10 km/h, 83% Humidity Scottish parliament Perthshire South and Kinross-shire UK parliament constituency Ochil and South Perthshire | ||
Auchterarder (/ɒxtərˈɑːrdər/; Scottish Gaelic: Uachdar Àrdair, meaning Upper Highland, [ˈuəxt̪əɾˈaːɾt̪əɾʲ]) is a small town located north of the Ochil Hills in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and home to the famous Gleneagles Hotel. The 1.5-mile-long High Street of Auchterarder gave the town its popular name of "The Lang Toun" or Long Town.
Contents
Map of Auchterarder, UK
History
In the Middle Ages, Auchterarder was known in Europe as 'the town of 100 drawbridges', a colourful description of the narrow bridges leading from the road level across wide gutters to the doorsteps of houses. The name appears in a charter of 1227 in a grant of land transaction to the Convent of Inchaffray The Jacobite Earl of Mar's army torched the town in 1716, but it quickly rose to prominence again thanks mainly to the handloom industry.
In 1717, a controversy over the selection of a parish minister, following the recent passing of the Veto Act, allowed the parishioners of Auchterarder to reject the chosen minister, Rev Robert Young. Whilst this might have ended with the selection of an alternative, Young took the issue to the High Court. The court's decision concluded a link between state and church, directly contradicting the church's own view, and causing the first in a chain of events which would ultimately lead to the 1843 schism in the Church of Scotland. The remains of this church – the tower – have recently been renovated, and there is a plaque explaining what the church used to look like. As a result of the troubles of 1834, Auchterarder became one of the first towns in Scotland to build its own independent Free Church, indeed appearing to pre-empt the Disruption by commissioning the architect David Cousin to design their church in advance, such that it was completed in 1843 as soon as the Free Church formally came into existence.
The Burgh (Police) Scotland Act of 1892 bestowed Burgh status upon the town and a provost, two bailies, an honorary treasurer, Dean of Guild and six councillors were appointed to manage its affairs.
In 1983 the A9 was diverted to the south, bypassing Auchterarder and Aberuthven, to improve the connection between Stirling and Perth.
The 31st G8 summit was held in the town in July 2005 at the five-star Gleneagles hotel. The neighbouring golf courses are world-renowned.
In 2008, it was revealed that Auchterarder had the two streets with the most expensive house prices in Scotland.
Auchterarder Castle
This castle stood to the north of the town in the area now known as Castleton. It is said to have been a hunting seat for King Malcolm Canmore in the 11th century and was visited by King Edward I in 1296. It was made ruinous in the 18th century and only fragments remained at the end of the 19th century.