Kippen
Encyclopedia
Kippen is a small village approximately 10 miles (16.1 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". The village is 50 miles (80.5 km) from Edinburgh
and 35 miles (56.3 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.
in the village and one of its vines grew to be the largest in the world. The Kippen Vine covered an area of 5000 square feet (464.5 m²), spreading across four greenhouses. It became a famous tourist attraction, until the Kippen Vinery had to close in 1964.
, 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.
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. On the evening of each Fayre the Village Hall hosts a ceilidh
which is seen as the final closing event of the Fayre.
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
, 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 lies between the Gargunnock
Gargunnock
Gargunnock is a small village in the Stirling council area approximately seven miles west of Stirling, in Scotland. The 2001 census population was 944...
and Fintry
Fintry
Fintry is a small village in central Scotland, nestled in the strath of the Endrick Water between the Campsie Fells and the Fintry Hills, some 19 miles north of Glasgow. It is within the local government council area of Stirling...
hills and overlooks the strath
Strath
A strath is a large valley, typically a river valley that is wide and shallow .An anglicisation of the Gaelic word srath, it is one of many that have been absorbed into common use in the English language...
of the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
. The name is believed to come from Scottish Gaelic, ceapan, meaning "place of the little stump", "outcrop" or "block". The village is 50 miles (80.5 km) from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and 35 miles (56.3 km) from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. It is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south-east of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous...
, Scotland's first National Park.
Kippen vine
In 1891, Duncan Buchanan planted a vineyardVineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
in the village and one of its vines grew to be the largest in the world. The Kippen Vine covered an area of 5000 square feet (464.5 m²), spreading across four greenhouses. It became a famous tourist attraction, until the Kippen Vinery had to close in 1964.
King of Kippen
John Buchanan was the proprietor of nearby ArnpriorArnprior, Stirling
Arnprior is a village in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It is located on the A811 about 12 miles west of Stirling and is one of the smallest community council areas in Stirlingshire with a population of about 200....
, and became known as the "King of Kippen" after an episode between himself and King James V
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
. 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.
The Kippen Street Fayre
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. On the evening of each Fayre the Village Hall hosts a ceilidh
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
which is seen as the final closing event of the Fayre.
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