Kinross-shire
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Kinross-shire
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(Click on the picture to see a larger one) Kinross-shire was Scotland's second smallest county and in 1971 had a population of less than 6500. Approximately one sixth of the county area was taken up by Loch Leven, on whose western shore lies the county town of Kinross. On an island in the loch stands Loch Leven Castle. The castle was a royal residence as early as 1257 when the young King Alexander III was forcibly brought there. In the 14th century it withstood English sieges, but became a state prison in about 1368. Its most famous prisoner was Mary Queen of Scots, who was confined there in 1567; unlike most of the castle's involuntary residents, she managed to escape after 11 months (possibly she subsequently wished she hadn't). There is a great tradition of curling in the county and the loch has hosted some famous bonspiels when well over a thousand players and spectators can take to the ice. (It now has to be at least 10 inches thick for such an occasion). On a blacker note, during the 17th century a coven of witches apparently used the old churchyard at Tullibole and eleven of them were burned at the stake in Crook of Devon in 1662. Family names associated with Kinross-shire include Douglas and Balfour. Our map of Kinross-shire measures 11¾ × 8¾ inches (300 x 220 mm) when stitched on the recommended Linda 27-count evenweave, and has 12 buildings, place names, compass, and crest. The stitch count is 158 x 118.
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