Auchterarder facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Auchterarder Scottish Gaelic: Uachdar Àrdair
Auchterarder High Street in the sunshine: Star Hotel, Post Office and Town Hall
Auchterarder
Population	5,840 (2020)
OS grid reference	NN945125
• Edinburgh	31 mi (50 km)
• London	361 mi (581 km)
Council area	Perth and Kinross
Lieutenancy area	Perth and Kinross
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	AUCHTERARDER
Postcode district	PH3
Dialling code	01764
Police	Tayside
Fire	Tayside
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Ochil and South Perthshire
Scottish Parliament	Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
List of places UK Scotland 56°17′35″N 3°42′22″W / 56.293167°N 3.706142°W / 56.293167; -3.706142

Auchterarder (ⁱ/ɒxtərˈɑːr[unsupported input]/) is a small town in Scotland. It is found north of the Ochil Hills in Perth and Kinross. The town is also home to the famous Gleneagles Hotel.

The name Auchterarder comes from Scottish Gaelic words. It means 'Upper Highland'. The town's main street is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. Because of its long street, people often call Auchterarder "The Lang Toun," which means "The Long Town."

Today, Auchterarder is a great place for shopping. You can find many unique local shops and cozy cafes here.

Discovering Auchterarder's Past

Auchterarder has a long and interesting history. Let's explore some key moments.

What Does the Name Auchterarder Mean?

The name "Auchterarder" comes from old Scottish Gaelic words. It means 'upland of high water'. This name likely describes the area's geography.

Auchterarder Castle: A Royal Hunting Spot?

The old church tower in Auchterarder, built in 1660.

Aytoun Hall, a community building.

Long ago, Auchterarder Castle stood north of the town. It was in an area now called Castleton. People believe that King Malcolm Canmore used it as a hunting lodge in the 11th century. King Edward I also visited the castle in 1296. By the 18th century, the castle was in ruins. Only small pieces of it remained by the late 1800s.

The Town of 100 Drawbridges

In the Middle Ages, Auchterarder was known in Europe as 'the town of 100 drawbridges'. This was a colorful way to describe the narrow bridges. These bridges crossed wide gutters from the road to the front doors of houses. The town's name first appeared in a document from 1227. This document was about a land deal with the Convent of Inchaffray.

The Great Fire of 1716

On January 25, 1716, a sad event happened. The Jacobite Earl of Mar's army set fire to the town. This caused a lot of damage to Auchterarder.

The Church Dispute and the Free Church

In 1834, there was a big argument in Auchterarder. It was about choosing a new church minister. A new law called the Veto Act allowed church members to reject the chosen minister, Rev Robert Young. Instead of choosing someone else, Young took the case to a high court.

The court's decision said that the government had power over the church. This went against what the church believed. This argument in Auchterarder was the first in a series of events. These events led to a major split in the Church of Scotland in 1843. This split is known as the Disruption of 1843.

The old church tower has been fixed up. There is a sign there that shows what the church used to look like. Because of these troubles, Auchterarder was one of the first towns in Scotland to build its own independent Free Church. They even hired an architect, David Cousin, to design it early. The church was finished in 1843, just as the Free Church officially began.

Aytoun Hall and Town Management

Aytoun Hall is the main place for community events in Auchterarder. It was finished in 1872. In 1892, a new law gave the town "Burgh status." This meant the town could manage its own affairs. Leaders like a provost and councillors were chosen to run the town.

Modern Changes and Big Events

In 1983, the A9 road was moved to go around Auchterarder. This helped improve travel between Stirling and Perth.

A very important meeting, the 31st G8 summit, was held in Auchterarder in July 2005. It took place at the five-star Gleneagles hotel. In 2008, some streets in Auchterarder, Caledonian Crescent and Queens Crescent, had the most expensive house prices in Scotland!

Getting Around Auchterarder

Auchterarder has good transport links for its residents and visitors.

Train Travel from Gleneagles Station

Gleneagles railway station is the main train station for Auchterarder. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of the town. This station has been serving the area since 1886.

Electric Vehicle Charging

If you have an electric car, Auchterarder has a charging point. It is operated by Perth and Kinross Council. You can find it in Crown Inn Wynd.

Local Community Bus Service

The town also has a helpful Community Bus Service. It is low cost for most people. It is even free for young people and the elderly. This bus connects the main parts of Auchterarder. It also links to the local health center and hospital.

Auchterarder's Weather

Auchterarder has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb). This means it has mild temperatures and rain throughout the year. The closest weather station is at Strathallan. It is about 2.25 miles (3.6 km) northwest of the town.

Famous People from Auchterarder

Many notable people have connections to Auchterarder:

• Andrew Fairlie, a chef with two Michelin stars, worked at Gleneagles.
• Eve Graham, a singer from the band The New Seekers, was born here.
• Sandy Gunn, a Spitfire pilot during World War II, was captured and later executed after the "Great Escape."
• Rev Robert Haldane preached in Auchterarder from 1797 to 1806.
• Stephen Hendry, a seven-time world snooker champion, used to live in the town.
• James Kennaway, a novelist, was born in Auchterarder.
• Rev Dr G. A. Frank Knight DD FRSE was a minister of the Free Church from 1892 to 1900.
• Rev Robert Nisbet DD FRSE, a religious author, went to school in Auchterarder.
• Prof John Monteath Robertson FRSE (1900–1989) was a crystallographer.