Meikleour is a hamlet situated in the council area of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom. It lies on the southern banks of the River Tay, approximately 6 km (4 mi) west of the town of Dunkeld and 7 km (4½ mi) east of the village of Aberfeldy. The settlement is part of the historic county of Perthshire.
Geography
The hamlet is positioned at an elevation of roughly 115 m (377 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by the low-lying hills of the Strathmore valley. The surrounding landscape comprises mixed agricultural land, woodland, and the River Tay, which forms a natural boundary to the north.
History
The name “Meikleour” derives from the Scots words meikle (meaning “large” or “great”) and our (a variant of oor, meaning “bank” or “shore”), indicating a “large bank” along the river. Historical records of the settlement date to the 13th century, when it appeared in charters concerning the lands of the Abbey of Dunkeld. Throughout the medieval and early modern periods the area was largely agricultural, with the local economy centered on arable farming and livestock.
Notable Features
- Meikleour House: A 19th‑century country house located to the east of the hamlet, formerly the seat of the Murray family, Earls of Mansfield. The house is a Category B listed building and exemplifies Scottish Baronial architecture.
- Meikleour Beech Hedge: Located on the Meikleour Estate, approximately 2 km north of the hamlet, this hedge consists of over 6,000 beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees trimmed into a formal hedge. Planted in 1745 under the direction of James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl, it is reputed to be the longest and tallest beech hedge in the world, extending roughly 850 m (2,800 ft) in length and reaching heights of up to 30 m (98 ft).
- Meikleour Parish Church: Built in 1836, the parish church serves the local community and is an example of simple Gothic Revival design. It remains an active place of worship within the Church of Scotland.
Demographics
According to the most recent census data (2022) for the surrounding civil parish, the population of Meikleour and its immediate environs is estimated at fewer than 150 residents, reflecting its status as a sparsely populated rural settlement.
Transportation
Meikleour is accessed via the B8079 road, which connects the hamlet to the A9 trunk road to the east and the A827 to the west. Public transport options are limited; the nearest railway station is at Dunkeld & Birnam, approximately 8 km (5 mi) away, providing services on the Highland Main Line.
Economy
The local economy remains predominantly agricultural, with surrounding farms engaged in cereal cultivation, cattle rearing, and sheep farming. Tourism associated with the Meikleour Beech Hedge and the historic estate also contributes to the area's economic activity, attracting visitors for walking, photography, and heritage tours.
Cultural References
Meikleour has been referenced in Scottish literary works and travel writings as an exemplar of the picturesque rural landscape of the Perthshire countryside. The beech hedge, in particular, is frequently cited in horticultural literature for its scale and historical significance.
References
- Ordnance Survey maps (1:25 000 scale), 2020 edition.
- “Perth and Kinross: An Illustrated Architectural Guide,” Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, 2018.
- “The Great Beech Hedge of Meikleour,” Scottish Garden History Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2015.
