The Markets At Kenmore

As the nineteenth century progressed Kenmore became less important as a market place. When the railway came as far as Aberfeldy and Kuhn, these villages became the centre of the commercial life of the district. Up till then various fayres and markets were held in Kenmore. There were six in all; the big spring market in March, the Fair of the Holy Women in July; the big harvest market in Septembeç on the Wednesday before the Falkirk Tryst, John’s Market in June, New Market in November and St. Thomas’s in December. The latter three were of lesser importance. To the big markets came crowds of people from many parts of the country. As one record has it for the Fayre in July 1773, “such a vast multitude of people assembled together — including sundry thieves and
dishonest persons”. At the July and March market days the market place was “staked” out when “stout young men” with halberds marked the boundaries of the fair
by marching round behind a Breadalbane Piper. On their return to the starting point they delivered up their halberds and the fair began. The stout young men continued on duty as guards and the “disturbers of the peace” were locked up until brought before the Bailie Court the following day. The drovers taking the small black cattle from the North-West to the trysts at Falkirk and Crieff used the market stance at Kenmore as a
convenient stopping place, doubtless lying wrapped in their plaids in the shelter of the Church wall.

Return To Kenmore Church History