Innerpeffray Library
Encyclopedia
Innerpeffray Library was the first lending library
in Scotland
. It is located in the hamlet of Innerpeffray, by the River Earn
in Perth and Kinross
, 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of Crieff
. The library is a Category A listed building.
The library was founded by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie
(died 1692), before 1680, when he made 400 of his family books available to the public. The library was originally located in the loft of St Mary's Chapel, and moved into a purpose-built library house in 1762. This was built by Robert Hay Drummond
(1711-1776), Archbishop of York
, and a descendent of Lord Madertie, who also donated his book collection on his death. The library ceased lending in 1968, but remains open to the public several days a week, except for November to February.
Innerpeffray consists of an early complete and very important group of educational and religious buildings, all founded, built or rebuilt by the Drummond family of Strathearn.
The library (built by Bishop Robert Hay Drummond, architect Charles Freebairn, money banked with Mr robertson Barclay, completed 1762), rehoused the book collection of founder David Drummond. In 1763, it re-opened as Scotland's oldest free public lending library, with a continuous borrowing record from 1747 to 1968.
Book inspection is still free but entrance is charged so that the Governors of the Innerepeffray Mortification can maintain the buildings and conserve the collections in good condition. When David Lord Madertie built and endowed his school and library pre 1680, his 400 books contained all the knowledge in the world, in English, Latin, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. By the time he died in 1776, Bishop Robert's collection of books on law, history/geography, maths (Newton), agriculture, the enlightenment, and social comment, had similar breadthe and he was Archbishop of York.
The Keeper of Books (now Library Manager), an office held continuously since Andrew Patoune in 1692, lives in the schoolhouse (rebuilt 1847). The six sash windows of the attached schoolroom light its interior for meetings of Friends and visiting schoolchildren. In 1889, it passed its inspection with 29 pupils.
The Keeper also holds the key of the Collegiate Chapel of St Mary, at Her Majesty's pleasure. By 1508, John 1st Lord Drummond rebuilt this renaissance triple cube with its oblong windows, staely proportions , wall and ceiling paintings, Drummond family hatchments and medieval stone altar.. David Lord Madertie rebuilt the west end, pre - 1680, over the arch to house his library in an upper room. Access is free, occasional tours provided. Historic scotland authorises weddings. The Library's Friends (and local schools) stage musical and dramatic events.
Lending library
A lending library is a library from which books are lent out. The earliest reference to or use of the term "lending library" yet located in English correspondence dates from ca. 1586; C'Tess Pembroke Ps. CXII. v, "He is .....
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is located in the hamlet of Innerpeffray, by the River Earn
River Earn
The River Earn in Scotland leaves Loch Earn at St Fillans and runs east through Strathearn, then east and south, joining the River Tay near Abernethy. The Earn is about long. It passes by Comrie, Crieff and Bridge of Earn....
in Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross is one of 32 council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre...
, 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of Crieff
Crieff
Crieff is a market town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It lies on the A85 road between Perth and Crianlarich and also lies on the A822 between Greenloaning and Aberfeldy. The A822 joins onto the A823 which leads to Dunfermline....
. The library is a Category A listed building.
The library was founded by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie
Viscount Strathallan
The title of Lord Maderty was created in 1609 for James Drummond, a younger son of the 2nd Lord Drummond of Cargill. The titles of Viscount Strathallan and Lord Drummond of Cromlix were created in 1686 for William Drummond, a younger son of the 2nd Lord Madderty...
(died 1692), before 1680, when he made 400 of his family books available to the public. The library was originally located in the loft of St Mary's Chapel, and moved into a purpose-built library house in 1762. This was built by Robert Hay Drummond
Robert Hay Drummond
Robert Hay , known later as Robert Hay-Drummond of Cromlix and Innerpeffray, was Archbishop of York from 1761 to 1776.-Origins and birth:...
(1711-1776), Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
, and a descendent of Lord Madertie, who also donated his book collection on his death. The library ceased lending in 1968, but remains open to the public several days a week, except for November to February.
Innerpeffray consists of an early complete and very important group of educational and religious buildings, all founded, built or rebuilt by the Drummond family of Strathearn.
The library (built by Bishop Robert Hay Drummond, architect Charles Freebairn, money banked with Mr robertson Barclay, completed 1762), rehoused the book collection of founder David Drummond. In 1763, it re-opened as Scotland's oldest free public lending library, with a continuous borrowing record from 1747 to 1968.
Book inspection is still free but entrance is charged so that the Governors of the Innerepeffray Mortification can maintain the buildings and conserve the collections in good condition. When David Lord Madertie built and endowed his school and library pre 1680, his 400 books contained all the knowledge in the world, in English, Latin, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. By the time he died in 1776, Bishop Robert's collection of books on law, history/geography, maths (Newton), agriculture, the enlightenment, and social comment, had similar breadthe and he was Archbishop of York.
The Keeper of Books (now Library Manager), an office held continuously since Andrew Patoune in 1692, lives in the schoolhouse (rebuilt 1847). The six sash windows of the attached schoolroom light its interior for meetings of Friends and visiting schoolchildren. In 1889, it passed its inspection with 29 pupils.
The Keeper also holds the key of the Collegiate Chapel of St Mary, at Her Majesty's pleasure. By 1508, John 1st Lord Drummond rebuilt this renaissance triple cube with its oblong windows, staely proportions , wall and ceiling paintings, Drummond family hatchments and medieval stone altar.. David Lord Madertie rebuilt the west end, pre - 1680, over the arch to house his library in an upper room. Access is free, occasional tours provided. Historic scotland authorises weddings. The Library's Friends (and local schools) stage musical and dramatic events.