Crieff is alive with songs and swords
Past brought to life
Jacobites and Redcoats have been roaming the Strath capital this week.
They have been bringing Crieff’s chequered past to life with ‘Fire & Folklore, Heroes & Villains’.
Organised by Crieff Succeeds, the unique guided walking, street theatre and light show has been regaling audiences with the story of what Crieff was like and why it was razed to the ground in 1716.
Songs and sword fights all feature along the way as the audience is taken on an informative stroll through Crieff ’s back streets with surprises around every corner.
Colourful characters, including the infamous Rob Roy Macgregor, bring history to life as visitors are taken on a virtual journey back 300 years, listening to tales from the town at a time when the Jacobites clashed with Redcoats, and drovers passing through from the Highlands caused havoc among the locals.
Running every night until Saturday – and produced by members of the teams behind The Enchanted Forrest, Spirits of Scone and Castle of Light – the event left a lasting impression on those who took part on Monday evening.
Local resident Jean Ann Scott Miller praised Crieff Succeeds for putting on the special display.
She said: “I knew the format, and it was what I was expecting in principal, but in practice it is much, much, more than you think it is going to be when you are simply reading about it.
“It is a fantastic experience and the ingenuity of the lighting and the ingenuity of the commentary were just great.
“People should come and see it every night, whatever the weather.”
Perth and Kinross Council independent Strathearn ward councillor, Rhona Brock, told the Herald she was proud to be from Crieff following the experience.
She declared: “It was brilliant and a wee bit emotional, especially the bit at the end.
“It tells you what Crieff is all about and how the people stand up and build themselves back up again after everything that happens.”
Crieff Succeeds chair Graham Donaldson also enjoyed the guided walk.
He commented: “It was an absolutely lovely walk through Crieff, despite the rain.
“The history of Crieff is enormous and fantastic and it has been done in such an entertaining and fulfilling way here.”
The walks leave from the meeting point in lower Leaden-flower car park and culminate at James Square every 30 minutes between 6pm and 9pm.
Visitors are provided with audio units and disposable earphones to hear the stories as a guide leads the way.
Tickets, priced at £10 (adult), £7 (child) and £25 (family-two adults and two children) are available at the Strathearn Arts box office in Comrie Street.
They are also available via the Eventbrite website, where a booking fee applies.
It was brilliant and a wee bit emotional Rhona Brock