Innerpeffray Library
Innerpeffray Library, Scotland's first free Public Lending Library,
was founded by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie, by 1680, when he made 400 of his family books
available to the public. At this time the Library was sited in the loft of the adjacent St Mary's
Chapel, burial place of the Drummond family. Madertie states in a will written in 1680 that the
Library, and school founded at the same time, were "for the improvement and education of
the population particularly the young students."
The present library house was purpose built for Robert Hay Drummond, at the time Archbishop
of York, and patron of the Library, and completed in 1762. On the death of the Archbishop his
book collection was donated to the Library by his son, Robert Auriol Hay, 9th Earl of Kinnoull.
The library flourished during the late 18th and 19th centuries; many more books were added by
subsequent patrons, members of the Hay Drummond families. However as public libraries with superior
stock of modern books began to proliferate during the early 20th century, Innerpeffray
Library's popularity waned. Borrowings fell to minimal levels and in 1968, despite the best efforts of
successive librarians and the trustees, the decision was made to cease operating as a lending
library, thus bringing to an end almost three hundred years of continuous service to the community.
Innerpeffray Library is maintained by a Charitable Trust, the Innerpeffray Mortification, Scottish Charity No SC 01384.
In and Around Aberfeldy
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