04 Jan/05
Filed under: Britain, Travel Features, Europe at 7:02 PM
The recent movie release "Finding Neverland", starring Johnny Depp and depicting Scottish "Peter Pan" creator J.M. Barrie (1860-1937), has led the Angus and Dundee tourist board to invite fans to take a journey through his life. He was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, a village 47 miles south-west of Edinburgh and among the highlights easily enjoyed on a walking tour are:
· Barrie's two-storey house where visitors can see the recreated kitchen and bedroom, the author's writing desk and a small museum. Next-door is an exhibition and the outdoor washroom is said to have been Barrie's first 'theatre' and inspiration for the Wendy House in "Peter Pan". The garden includes a crocodile made of willow, a Peter Pan statue and a Pirates workshop.
· The Town House, built in 1604, features a display of artefacts relating to the author; while the surrounding countryside of rocky glens and woods, which also inspired Barrie, includes the Reekie Linn Falls, which has a magical 'smoky' aura from the rushing water.