How our Language School Visits Innerpeffray Library
“For the Benefit of All”
The Library of Innerpeffray was Scotland’s first free public lending library.
It’s such a special place, and one we love to share on our immersion English holidays.
As a modern-day visitor, you can handle the same 16th and 17th c. books that locals would have travelled miles to take advantage of the unique opportunity to borrow.
In this blog I share how our language school shares a visit to Innerpeffray Library as an English language excursion.
A Hidden Gem
Spend a bit of time on Trip Advisor and you will see this description of Innerpeffray Library again and again.
I’ve included a few quotes here to demonstrate its charm and attraction to visitors.
Innerpeffray Library – exterior
The History of the Library
The Library and School at Innerpeffray were founded by David Drummond 3rd Lord Madertie in around 1680 and was the first free public lending library in Scotland.
Madertie was a member of the Drummond Family, still one of the most important landowning families of the area.
John Knox, a Protestant minister during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, had decreed that every person should be able to read in Scotland and have access to books (making the literacy level in Scotland far higher than in England during the Enlightenment).
David Drummond decided to gift his own collection of books to the Library to benefit future generations.
At the time, it was unheard of for anyone to make books available to others free of charge.
Local people of all ranks could come and borrow a book to read to improve themselves and their knowledge and understanding of the world, both on local and worldwide topics.
Books for English Learners
Of primary interest on a Language School visit to Innerpeffray is the library’s historic collection of books.
There is something to interest everyone, as the books cover diverse subjects such as witchcraft, animals, farming, medicine, European history, and a recently acquired collection of rare early Scottish books and documents.
This offers a rich, immersive way to engage with language and culture.
Innerpeffray – old library books
“ But it isn’t just the ancient old leather bound books on display that makes this an amazing experience – what is really unique about the library of Innerpeffray is that they will actually allow you to handle and read these amazing books – something usually reserved for scholars. There is a small reading room where you can curl up and explore these treasures..”
Trip Advisor Review
The Library’s Location
A view of ruinous Innerpeffray Castle is also a short walk away, and the Roman road from Braco to Perth along the Gask Ridge (with its linked series of Roman forts and watchtowers) also passes through Innerpeffray.
“We were staying in the area intending to visit Roman sites but the weather was so frightful that we researched attractions with roofs. One was Innerpeffray library and we were enchanted and impressed with it. It’s an attractive Georgian building in a tranquil, remote wooded setting which houses books from the C17 onwards, on a multitude of subjects, which can be examined in situ or even borrowed. On display were manuscript poems by Robert Burns among others. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer was on site to give us the history of the place. It really is worth searching out and I wish we could have spent more time there.”
Trip Advisor Review
Handling the historic books at Innerpeffray
Settle Down and Read
We will explore the beautiful surroundings, but in a way that leaves plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere of the old library.
There is no better way than by settling down with a book.
This will transport you into what at first feels like an alternative world, but which is revealed to us as exactly our own world seen from another moment in time.
It’s a powerful immersion experience.
“Almost stumbled upon this place by accident..so glad we did. Greeted by ‘The Keeper of the Books’ who introduced us to the history. We then went upstairs to be hosted by 2 guides who explained everything on display. Upon mentioning our home town they sought out references to it. We spent 90 mins there and we could have spent more. Highly recommended. The true definition of a ‘hidden gem’.”
Trip Advisor Review
A Guided Tour
Innerpeffey Chapel
If you are a frequent reader of this language school blog, you’ll know we’re big fans of places where you can explore by yourself.
It’s not that we’re unfriendly!
There’s just something magical about being alone in a historic space that allows the imagination to flow.
Anywhere that you have to push open a wooden door and enter a space otherwise standing empty and timeless.
Trust me, come and visit us and you’ll get this experience and see!
Artists talk | Roman Remains
As mentioned, Innerpeffray is situated on a ridge of Roman forts that crossed the landscape in a line, their remains still visible.
This knowledge helps to place the historic library in a landscape of time and population.
Exploring one of the forts near Innerpeffray we found chanterelle mushrooms growing.
I made this little video as I was impressed by the thought that this little fungus had been part of the Roman soldier’s diet.
A real taste in time.
A Visit to Innerpeffray Library
How this English conversation activity helps your English and positively impacts our community:
✅ Great for mental/physical health
🟠 benefits our local community.
✅ a good introduction to Scottish culture
✅ preserves craft skills, historic machinery, monuments etc.
⭕ supports Scottish industry/agriculture
✅ gets you talking with a rich and diverse selection of people, or about diverse subjects.
🟠 explores Scottish wildlife in non-invasive ways
⭕ supports arts & artists
✅ financially contributes to preserving culture
✅ is for fun & feeling good in English.