J M Barrie's Birthplace NTS

J M Barrie's Birthplace NTS J M Barrie (1860–1937), the creator of much-loved character Peter Pan and a celebrated novelist/ playwright 🧚🏻🐊✍️

31/07/2025

Due to staff sickness we will be unable to open the site today, 31st July. Sorry for any inconvenience caused

Even in the rain the garden is still full of life 🐌 & I’m sure our resident Croc Tiktok is loving the weather too 🤪😍🐊 Ha...
20/07/2025

Even in the rain the garden is still full of life 🐌

& I’m sure our resident Croc Tiktok is loving the weather too 🤪😍🐊

Happy Sunday all from JM Barrie’s 💚🖋️

Have you heard about JM Barrie’s novel ‘The Little White Bird’? 🕊️This is a story that follows the narrator a childless ...
06/07/2025

Have you heard about JM Barrie’s novel ‘The Little White Bird’? 🕊️

This is a story that follows the narrator a childless retired Victorian soldier/ London bachelor who befriends a boy named David born into a working class family living in the same neighbourhood. Together they become close friends and go on adventures in Kensington Gardens. This book explores the complexities of family relationships, the passage of time and the nature of childhood through fantasy, social comedy and allegorical themes.

The Little White Bird is also where we first meet the beloved Peter Pan. The chapters (13-18) in which the story of Peter Pan unfolds is later published into a book of its own “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens”, published 1906 after the successful debut of the play Peter Pan in 1904. JM Barrie essentially created an elaborate book within a book over the four years he spent writing The Little White Bird. 📖

Author and filmmaker Andrew Birkin believes that the narrator of the story is Barrie himself “thinly disguised”. There are many links and inspirations used throughout the book that reflect closely back on his own life in London.

There is so much more we could write about JM Barrie’s The Little White Bird, but we think you should have a read yourself. Published in 1902 this book brings the first essence of Peter Pan and the stories we know and love today 🧚🏻

28/06/2025

Our Garden is bursting into colour! 🌸😍

Did you know our garden is free to access whilst the house is open? 🥰

- It’s a great sun trap on days like today ☀️
- A safe space for families to play or have a picnic in 🧺
- A quiet spot to come and get stuck into a book 📖
- Or somewhere different to wander around 🌿

It’s as much for our local community as it is our visitors 🥰

Please spread the word and we look forward to seeing people use this wonderful space 🧚🏻

David Barrie (1814-1902)J M Barrie’s father David was born in Kirriemuir to Alexander Barrie and Marjory Mitchell Barrie...
15/06/2025

David Barrie (1814-1902)

J M Barrie’s father David was born in Kirriemuir to Alexander Barrie and Marjory Mitchell Barrie on 30th October 1814. He was one of three siblings, his sister Catherine and his brother George.

We don’t know a lot about David but what we do know is that he had his own Linen weaving business. He worked with flax fibres on their hand loom in the downstairs rooms of the house (whilst the family lived above) until the age of 56 where he then became a Clerk at J&D Wilkie, which is still a working textiles business in the town today.

David married Margaret Ogilvy in Kirriemuir in 1843 and despite J M Barrie not mentioning his father much in his writing, there is a quote from his Novella Margaret Ogilvy (1896) “a man I am very proud to be able to call my Father”

I hope this helps give a little bit more of an insight into David’s life. Below is the one picture of David that we have on display in the house.

07/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS AT JMB!

We’ve spotted a real fairy in the garden 🧚🏻 🦋

Some may say this is just a butterfly…. But we’ve had a tip off from a well known fairy in house 😏

Next time you’re in our garden have a look for yourself, I’ve heard if you say “I do believe in fairies” they may appear?! 🧚🏻🦋

Did you know the manuscript for Peter Pan was edited and tweaked by Sir JM Barrie for 24 years before the final version ...
29/05/2025

Did you know the manuscript for Peter Pan was edited and tweaked by Sir JM Barrie for 24 years before the final version of the manuscript was officially published in 1928?! 📖

You may know the very first showing of the play to the public was in 1904 but the manuscript wasn’t available to the public officially until it was published in full in 1928. The book however originally titled Peter Pan and Wendy was published in 1911. So the story of Peter Pan really was one of his life’s works ✍️ 🧚🏻 🎩

Artist credit: Charles A Buchel

Opening hours 2025 ☀️ Come and explore the birthplace and garden of one of Scotlands most talented writers and step into...
24/05/2025

Opening hours 2025 ☀️

Come and explore the birthplace and garden of one of Scotlands most talented writers and step into his imagination for the day 🖋️🧚🏻🐊

Thursdays: 10.30 - 16.30
Fridays: 10.30 - 16.30
Saturdays: 10.30 - 16.30
Sundays: 10.30 - 16.30

Last admissions into the house: 16.00

A massive thank you to Southmuir Primary for visiting us today and for bringing all these amazing Birthday Cards 🤩
09/05/2025

A massive thank you to Southmuir Primary for visiting us today and for bringing all these amazing Birthday Cards 🤩

🎉Happy 165th Birthday to J M Barrie! 🎉Come and visit his birthplace this weekend and see where his story began! We are h...
09/05/2025

🎉Happy 165th Birthday to J M Barrie! 🎉
Come and visit his birthplace this weekend and see where his story began!

We are holding a guess the number of sweets competition over the weekend. Guess correctly and you can win a Peter Pan book & some Star Rock 🍬

A massive thank you to Emma at Pixie Dust Kirriemuir & Liz at Star Rock Shop Confectionery Shop for the Balloons and our tasty prize! 🌟

02/05/2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances the site will be closed today (2/5/25) Thank you for your understanding

03/04/2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances J M Barrie’s Birthplace will be unable to open this week. We look forward to welcoming you all to the property next week!

Address

9 Brechin Road
Kirriemuir
DD84BX,

Opening Hours

Thursday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441575572646

Website

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