Gartmore, near Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Visit to the beautiful village of Gartmore, near Aberfoyle. This village was established in 1725 by Nicol Graham. I had previously mentioned Rev John Connacher had moved here in 1735 in the early stages of the village becoming established.

I do wonder whether the early residents were handpicked. Rob Roy McGregor had a habit of agitating Nicol Graham and was once apprehended by him in Gartmore, only to escape.

Gartmore stands in an amazing location, on a drovers route from the Highlands to Falkirk. Elevated to the point you can see all the way to Stirling 18 miles distant and see southwards to Fintry. Gartmore House itself has the best views over the surrounds. I stood there today in the gardens and could see the Wallace monument! If ever there was a strategic location to build a small village, it would be Gartmore.

Several Stewart families moved to Gartmore. One such family was that of Robert Stewart b 1724, son of James Stewart 1690 of Grodich. Robert Stewart had four sons. Stewarts of the South records a second Robert Stewart from the Edraleachdach family (Glenbuckie) also with four sons, in Gartmore. Another later Gartmore resident was James Stewart of Coille Mhor (Gartnafuaran Branch VI) who was apparently an innkeeper in Gartmore at the time Stewarts of the South was written. The Black Bull Inn is still active in the village, having been established in 1740. However, there were other establishments like the Vulcan, closed in the 1930s. There are some peculiarities in the village, not least some of the families that settled there judging by the surnames in the index of burials . Will have a closer look some day.