Crossroads and Characters
45. THE GREAT WALL OF INVERMAY.
While its House is in Forteviot parish, Invermay Estate (or Endermay as it was once called) for centuries lapped over into Dunning parish as well. About the same time as the old picturesque Tower of Invermay was abandoned and this house was built, around 1780, the owner John Belsches decided to enclose much of the estate within a nine foot wall. The Dunning road was diverted to make way for this dyke. Since the estate was very large, of several square miles, 'Endermay's Dykes' became, as described in the History of Forteviot 'one of the seven wonders of Strathearn, and curious sightseers came from far and near to see the marvel.' Marvellous it may have been, but John Belsches' extravagant wall was greatly regretted by his heirs, 'for the estate felt the burden of it for many a long day'.
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