January 2nd 1737

The mansion at Octertyre, Crieff

Famous Grouse at Crieff.
Picture by Chas Webb

Near to Crieff is the mansion of Octertyre, occupied for almost 500 years by the Murray family. The present house was built in the early nineteenth century, but an earlier house built higher up the hill was occupied by the third baronet.

His household account book has survived and gives an interesting picture of the way in which the gentry of these times lived. Meat and game were plentiful throughout the year with mutton, beef, hens, geese, hares, partridge, woodcock, ptarmigan, grouse, duck and pigeon figuring prominently in the menus. Sea fish, trout and salmon were plentiful and in the summer months fruit and vegetables were obtained from the walled garden.