Kippen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kippen
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.jpg) Main Street, Kippen |
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 Kippen
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| Population | 1,100 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NS650948 |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Stirling |
| Postcode district | FK8 |
| Dialling code | 01786 |
| Police | Central Scotland |
| Fire | Central Scotland |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Kippen is a small village in west Stirlingshire, Scotland. It is located between the Gargunnock Hills and the Fintry Hills. From Kippen, you can see the Carse of Forth to the north.
Kippen is about 9 miles (14 km) west of Stirling. It is also about 20 miles (32 km) north of Glasgow. Scotland's first National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, is about 4.5 miles (7 km) southeast of the village.
Kippen was once on an old military road from the 1700s. This road connected Stirling and Balloch. In 1971, a bypass was built around the village. This means Kippen is no longer directly on the A811. In 2001, about 1,140 people lived in Kippen.
Contents
Exploring Kippen's Past
Early Church History
Kippen's church was first written about in the 1300s. Even by then, it had been used for many years. It was the burial place for the important Earls of Menteith family.
The Famous Kippen Vine
In 1891, a man named Duncan Buchanan planted a vineyard in Kippen. One of his grapevines grew to be the biggest in the world. This huge vine covered an area of 5,000 square feet (460 square meters). It spread across four large greenhouses.
The Kippen Vine became a very popular place for tourists to visit. People came from all over to see it. Sadly, the Kippen Vinery closed down in 1964.
The Story of the King of Kippen
There is an old story about a local man known as the "King of Kippen." This story is from the time of King James V of Scotland. The King liked to travel in disguise. He would call himself "The Guid Man o' Ballengeich."
One day, King James sent some of his men to hunt deer. On their way back to Stirling Castle with the deer, they passed through a place called Arnprior. John Buchanan, who owned Arnprior, stopped them. He took the deer from them.
The King's men were angry and told Buchanan the deer belonged to the King. Buchanan replied that if James was King of Scotland, then he was King of Kippen! When the King heard this, he decided to visit Buchanan himself.
King James went to Arnprior with a few of his followers. A guard at the gate told him he couldn't come in. He said Buchanan was having dinner and couldn't be disturbed. King James then said, "Tell your master, the Guidman o' Ballengeich humbly asks to see the 'King of Kippen'."
Buchanan realized it was the King. He welcomed His Majesty with great respect. King James was so pleased that he became good friends with Buchanan. He even invited Buchanan, the "King of Kippen," to visit him at Stirling Castle.
Kippen's Railway Station
A railway station was built about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Kippen village. It was opened in 1856 by the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway. The station stopped taking passengers in 1934.
Village Facilities
Kippen has a local primary school located on its Main Street. For older students, Kippen is part of the area for Balfron High School. This high school is in the nearby village of Balfron.
The village also has a Church of Scotland parish church. It is called Kippen Parish Church and is on Fore Road. This church is known for its 15 "superb" stained glass windows. These beautiful windows were made by Herbert Hendrie.
Sports and Activities
Kippen has a local football team called Kippen F.C. They play in the Forth and Endrick Football League. The local rugby team is Strathendrick RFC. They play their home games in the nearby village of Fintry. During the winter, the Kippen Curling Club plays regular matches. They play at The Peak indoor rink in Stirling.
The Kippen Street Fayre
Kippen holds a special event every year called the "Street Fayre." This gala brings many visitors to the village. It helps the local economy and raises money for charities.
During the Street Fayre, the main street is filled with stalls. You can find food, crafts, and charity stalls. There are also musical events to enjoy. Since 2013, the Street Fayre is officially opened by a Fayre Queen and King. These children are chosen randomly from the pupils at Kippen Primary school.
Famous People from Kippen
- John Dougall was a mathematician. He was born in Kippen in 1867.
- Dan Drysdale was a rugby player.
- Carola Macaulay was one of the first women traders in Edinburgh. She was born in Kippen in 1682.
- Iain Turner is a footballer.
See also
In Spanish: Kippen para niños
