IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Dundee Road, BLAIRGOWRIE, PH12 8SD

Perth by the B954, in parish of Alyth (District), South end of Meigle, grass verge. Inscription reads:- : 4 / TO / ALYTH : : 13 / TO / DUNDEE : : CO. ANGUS 5¼ / MEIGLE / ¼ : Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: PK_ALDD04.

The milepost stands amongst the snowdrops beside the B954. Mileposts/stones are the original roadside heritage features with many dating back hundreds of years and these historic items are under threat from highway developments. Mileposts/stones did not come into general use until the Turnpike Act of 1766 made them compulsory on turnpike roads, these roads were built by private enterprise under licence from the Government and maintained by tolls on those who used them. Before this Act milestones were put up occasionally, often as charitable acts and commemorations. Many Turnpike Act stones still exist. They are usually 2-3 ft high, with the initial letter or abbreviation of the nearest market town show on two faces, and the distance from it. In sheltered places the snowdrop begins to flower at Christmas, and in other parts it is welcomed as one of the first signs of spring, flowering from January to March. The drooping, bell-shaped flowers have six segments - three white ones outside the flower and three tipped with a bright spot inside it. It is doubtful whether the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is a native of Britain. It was probably introduced in medieval times from central Europe and it is rare in Ireland.

Close up of the cast-iron milestone on the B954 Dundee Road on the south side of Meigle.

The milepost stands on a wide verge beside the B954.

This early Christian carved stone has elements of Pictish motifs.

On the site of a turf church erected by Columban missionaries around 606 AD. This building dates from 1870 AD. The previous church built in 1793 AD burned down on 28 March 1869. The church before that dated from 1431 AD. Folklore claims the mound on the left of the path to be the grave mound of Vanora (Queen Guinevere).

One of the fine collection of Pictish sculptured stones housed in the little museum at Meigle.

In Meigle museum.

A former school room built in 1844, this Category C listed building [http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18327] is now the Meigle Museum and houses a fine collection of Pictish carved stones from the local area. It is run by Historic Environment Scotland. Meigle Church can be seen behind.