Kippen
Coordinates: 56°07′36″N 4°10′24″W / 56.12678°N 4.17341°W
| Kippen | |
 Kippen
Kippen shown within the Stirling council area |
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| Population | 1,140 |
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| OS grid reference | NS650948 |
| Council area | Stirling |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Stirling |
| Postcode district | FK |
| Police | Central Scotland |
| Fire | Central Scotland |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Kippen is a small village approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of the city of Stirling, Scotland. It lies between the Gargunnock and Fintry hills and overlooks the strath of the River Forth. The name is believed to come from Scottish Gaelic, ceapan, meaning "place of the little stump", "outcrop" or "block".[1] The village is 50 miles (80 km) from Edinburgh and 35 miles (56 km) from Glasgow. It is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south-east of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland's first National Park.
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[edit] History
In 1454 a James Lawedre (Lauder) is recorded as Vicar, or parish priest.[2]
[edit] Kippen vine
In 1891, Duncan Buchanan planted a vineyard in the village and one of its vines grew to be the largest in the world. The Kippen Vine covered an area of 5,000 square feet (460 m2), spreading across four greenhouses. It became a famous tourist attraction, until the Kippen Vinery had to close in 1964.
[edit] King of Kippen
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010) |
John Buchanan was the proprietor of nearby Arnprior, and became known as the "King of Kippen" after an episode between himself and King James V. King James was fond of travelling in disguise under the title of "The Guid Man o' Ballengeich", after the steep path leading down from the Castle of Stirling. According to the story, the King, with his nobles, residing in Stirling Castle, sent a party for some deer to the hills in the neighbourhood of Gartmore. On their return to Stirling with the venison they passed through Arnprior, where they were attacked by the chief and relieved of their burden. Berated by the party for so ruthlessly taking from them what belonged to the King, Buchanan replied that if James was King in Scotland, he was King of Kippen. When the messengers reported the circumstance to the King, he resolved to wait on his neighbouring majesty of Kippen, and rode out one day with a small retinue from Stirling.
Demanding admittance at the palace of Arnprior, he was refused by a fierce warrior standing at the gate with a battle-axe sloped on his shoulder, who told him there was no admission, as his chief was at dinner with a large company and could not be disturbed at that time. "Tell your master," said James, "the Guidman o' Ballengeich humbly requests an audience of the 'King of Kippen'." Buchanan, guessing the quality of his guest, received His Majesty with the appropriate honours, and became so great a favourite that he had leave to draw upon the carrier as often as he pleased, and was invited, as "King of Kippen" to visit his brother sovereign at Stirling. [3]
[edit] The Kippen Street Fayre
Kippen hosts an annual Street Fayre, an event which brings tourists to the village and helps boosts the local economy and raise funds for charities. The Fayre features stalls which line the streets, games, musical events and a fun run. There is also the 'King of Kippen' competition which is a strongman type of affair. The current holder (2010–11) is Andrew Wandless.
The Fayre is officially opened by the street fayre queen who is chosen by her peers in P7 at Kippen Primary School. In 2009 Queen Emma Hunter was assisted by TV personalities Colin and Justin.[citation needed] On the evening of each Fayre the Village Hall hosts a ceilidh which is seen as the final closing event of the Fayre.
[edit] Population
The 2001 census population was 1,140.[4]
[edit] Notable people from Kippen
- Dan Drysdale, rugby player
- Iain Turner, footballer
[edit] References
- ^ "About Kippen". Kippen Village. http://www.kippen-village.co.uk/.
- ^ National Archives of Scotland (GD112/1/8)
- ^ Sir Bernard Burke (1849). Anecdotes of the aristocracy: and episodes in ancestral story, Volume 2. Henry Colburn.
- ^ 2001 CENSUS RESULTS - KIPPEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL (pdf) Source: General Register Office for Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
[edit] External links
- http://www.kingdomofkippen.co.uk
- http://www.kippen-village.co.uk
- http://www.kippenstreetfayre.org/
- http://www.kippencrosskeys.com
- http://www.kippenschool.org.uk
Coordinates: 56°07′36″N 4°10′24″W / 56.12678°N 4.17341°W
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