J M Barrie’s Birthplace

About the museum

J M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, was born on 9 May 1860 in this whitewashed weaver’s house in Kirriemuir. He grew up here with seven brothers and sisters. The family lived in two upstairs rooms, while the father’s weaving workshop was on the ground floor. The large windows of the house were made so that looms could be moved out.

The wash house in the yard was the young Barrie’s first theatre, where he staged a play at the age of seven. It may also have inspired the Wendy house in Peter Pan. The upper floors of the cottage are furnished as they might have been in mid-Victorian times, with box beds where the children slept crowded together.

The next-door house holds an exhibition on Barrie’s life and work. It includes the writing desk from his London flat, where he wrote Peter Pan, original costumes from the first production of the play, and a selection of manuscripts. The National Trust for Scotland looks after the property. The garden is planted with a jungle theme and has a sculpture of Tick Tock, the crocodile from the story.

Highlights

• Weaver’s cottage with box beds
• Wash house where Barrie staged his first play
• Exhibition on Barrie’s life and work
• Costumes from the first Peter Pan production
• Jungle-themed garden with Tick Tock sculpture

Permanent exhibitions

• The Barrie family home – A traditional weaver’s house furnished as in mid-Victorian times, with box beds, the family’s belongings and the wash house that served as Barrie’s first theatre.
• J M Barrie: life and work – An exhibition in the adjoining house about Barrie’s life and work, with his London writing desk, manuscripts and original Peter Pan costumes.

Founded

1938

Operated by

National Trust for Scotland

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the house. The garden is free to enter. Admission is free for National Trust for Scotland members.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the ground floor of the house and the garden can be reached by wheelchair users. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the property. There is one toilet in the garden, which is not fully accessible, and there are public toilets in the car park about 150 metres away.

Kids & families

The garden has a jungle theme with a sculpture of Tick Tock the crocodile. School visits can be booked through the property.

Getting there & parking

Kirriemuir is 6 miles north-west of Forfar. In the town, follow the one-way system and the brown tourist signs to the property.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

There is a small shop but no refreshments are sold on site. Cafés and hotels in Kirriemuir are within easy walking distance, and school groups may picnic in the garden.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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