Dunblane

Dunblane, an old-fashioned town of Perthshire, delightfully situated on the left bank of Allan Water, 5 miles N. of Stirling by rail. Founded by St Blane, a 7th-century bishop, its church was rebuilt in 1141 by David I. as a cathedral; but except for the Romanesque four lower stages of the steeple (128 feet), that cathedral is now a First Pointed edifice of a hundred years later—its glory the west window, than which Mr Ruskin knows 'nothing so perfect in its simplicity.' The choir, with its carved oak stalls, was restored in 1873; the ruinous nave in 1891-92. In 1661 the saintly Robert Leighton chose Dunblane as the poorest and smallest of Scotland's sees; his path near the river still bears the name of the Bishop's Walk, and the library which he bequeathed to his diocese is still preserved in the town. There are also an antique bridge, a mineral spring, and a fine hydropathic (1876); 2½ miles to the east is the battlefield of Sheriffmuir. Pop. (1851) 1816; (1891) 2186.