Property for sale or rent in Weem

Menzies, the seat of the Menzies family, is a short distance W. of the hotel. The Menzieses came originally from durisdeer, in Dumfries, and settled in Strathtay towards the end of the 13th cent. Their original seat was Comrie Castle, near coshieville. When this was burned down, the then laird began building the castle at Weem probably about 1570. Additions were made in 1840. Recently the castle has been acquired by the Clan Menzies Society, who hope to preserve the original part as a clan centre. The old church at Weem is mentioned in charters as early as 1235. The present building probably dates from 1510. It ceased to be frequen­ted as a place of worship in 1839. and since then has been used as a mausoleum for the Menzies family. At the back of the altar, there is an interesting mural, erected in 1616 by Sir Alexander Menzies in memory of the ladies of the house. In the church are two stone crosses from the sanctuary at dull. These so-called 'girth crosses' (of which one remains in situ at the centre of Dull village) marked the enclosure of Druimdain or Ridge of Protection associated with the Culdee Celtic monastery at Dull. Within the enclosure there was safety from pursuit. On the steep face of Weem Rock, and now almost inaccessible, is St David's Well and his chapel cave, and beside the well a stone slab with a cross carved on it. Many legends are associated with the cave, which is supposed to have a subterranean connection with Loch Glassie 1.75 miles to the north.