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Kippen is a small village approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of the city of Stirling, Scotland (also referred to as the Kingdom of Kippen). It lies between the Gargunnock and Fintry hills and overlooks the strath of the River Forth. The name probably comes from Gaelic, and means "Place of the little stump", "outcrop" or "block".1
The village of Kippen commands views of some of Scotland's finest scenery. Kippen and the nearby Kippen Muir are steeped in some of Scotland's most colourful history.citation needed
Kippen is used as a base for exploring the heartlands of central Scotland. The village is 40 miles (64 km) from Edinburgh and 35 miles (56 km) from Glasgow. Scotland's first National Park, around the beautiful Loch Lomond, is only a few miles to the west.
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History
Early history
In 1454 a James Lawedre (Lauder) is recorded as Vicar, or parish priest. (National Archives of Scotland (GD112/1/8).
Kippen vine
In 1891, Duncan Buchanan planted a vineyard in the village and one of its vines grew to be the largest in the world. The Kippen Vine covered an area of 5,000 square feet (460 m2), spreading across four greenhouses. It became a famous tourist attraction, until the Kippen Vinery had to close in 1964.
King of Kippen
John Buchanan became proprietor of Arnprior, and afterwards the noted "King of Kippen", a phrase which originated in a whimsical episode between himself and James V, who was fond of travelling in disguise under the title of "The Guid Man o' Ballengeich", after the steep path leading down from the Castle of Stirling.
According to the story, the King, with his nobles, residing in Stirling Castle, sent a party for some deer to the hills in the neighbourhood of Gartmore. On their return to Stirling with the venison they passed through Arnprior, where they were attacked by the chief and relieved of their burden. Berated by the party for so ruthlessly taking from them what belonged to the King, Buchanan replied that if James was King in Scotland, he was King of Kippen. When the messengers reported the circumstance to the King, he resolved to wait on his neighbouring majesty of Kippen, and rode out one day with a small retinue from Stirling.
Demanding admittance at the palace of Arnprior, he was refused by a camp-looking warrior standing at the gate with a battle-axe sloped on his shoulder, who told him there was no admission, as his chief was at dinner with a large company and could not be disturbed at that time. "Tell your master," said James, "the Guidman o' Ballengeich humbly requests an audience of the 'King of Kippen'." Buchanan, guessing the quality of his guest, received His Majesty with the appropriate honours, and became so great a favourite that he had leave to draw upon the carrier as often as he pleased, and was invited, as "King of Kippen" to visit his brother sovereign at Stirling.
Inn at Kippen
The Inn at Kippen, which was previously the Crown, was taken over by James Fletcher in 2003, when it was completely refurbished. The Inn offers a dining restaurant with local produce and bar food, and entertainment including whisky tastings, wine evenings, beer festivals and live music. A beer garden is open in the summer for drinks and lunches.
The Cross Keys Hotel
The Cross Keys, dating from 1703, was formerly a coaching inn. It is built on the slope of the main street, with the ground floor on three levels. The Cross keys today is a small traditional hotel / bar / restaurant with 3 rooms, 1 double, 2 twin recently upgraded to an extremely comfortable standard. The hotel is ideal for anybody looking for a base in central scotland to explore Stirling / The Trossachs / Loch Lomond etc. It is situated in the charming village of Kippen with it's interesting History and links to Rob Roy McGregor. The current owners are Brian Horsburgh and Debby McGregor who along with their daughter Robyn have been at the Hotel since August 2007. Log fires and real ale are standard with the food being traditional with a modern twist. The beer garden has views to the trossachs and the Hotel could be arguably be the oldest licensed premises in the area.
Street Fayre
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Kippen hosts an annual Street Fayre, an event which brings a few tourists to the village and boosts the local economy. The Fayre features stalls which line the streets, games, musical events and a fun run. The Fayre is officially opened following the children's fancy dress competition. On the evening of each Fayre the Village Hall hosts a ceilidh which is seen as the final closing event of the Fayre.
Drugs raid
In April 2008, police arrested a young male aged 24 for possessing more than 400 cannabis plants.2
Hai Ping Chen was arrested at his home on Friday, 18 April 2008, after Central Scotland Police raided his home following a recent intelligence report. Estimates put the price of the find in the range of £125,000 to £400,000. Hai Ping Chen appeared in court the following Monday, pleaded not guilty to four alleged offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act and was released on bail.
Central Scotland Police’s Stirling area commander superintendent David Flynn said: “We are determined to root out drug activity wherever it may occur and this was a significant result."
Football Team
Kippen Football Club, who play in a black strip with red trimmings, play within the Forth and Endrick league, and have done so for over a century.
Population
The 2001 census population was 1,140.3
References
- ^ Kippen : village of Kippen in Scotland
- ^ icStirlingshire - Drug unit's £400k swoop in Kippen
- ^ 2001 CENSUS RESULTS - KIPPEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL (pdf) Source: General Register Office for Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2007.