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The old market town of Blairgowrie & Rattray is the main “hub” of East Perthshire, and within a relatively small area of some 25 miles by 15 miles, there is scenery ranging from the wild grandeur of the Cairngorm Mountains in the north, to the fertile Strathmore in the south – famous for its raspberry growing. Blairgowrie, the “Berry Capital of Scotland”, is a small, bustling town with a host of activities and attractive small shops. East Perthshire's other small towns – Alyth, Meigle and Coupar Angus, offer many opportunities for local activities, sport and sightseeing.
If you like the outdoor life, this special corner of Scotland offers something for everyone. There are many very fine golf courses, mountains to climb, open spaces and signposted walking routes, great fishing and hunting opportunities, and skiing and snowboarding at Scotland’s largest ski centre at Glenshee. Red Deer, Roe Deer, Grouse and Salmon are constant neighbours, within an area of outstanding natural diversity and beauty.
For those interested in fishing and shooting, Blairgowrie has great facilities in the immediate area or nearby. It is also on the road to Glenshee (about 20 minutes) where the slopes provide good skiing for both beginners and the more experienced. There are many top-quality golf courses nearby, while beyond the Spittal of Glenshee lies Braemar, site of the famous annual Highland Gathering. From Blairgowrie the splendours of Royal Deeside can be enjoyed, notably Balmoral Castle, the autumn residence of the Royal Family. Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, Blair Castle and Scone Palace are within a short drive. The area is a haven for walkers and cyclists. Walkers should try the recently completed Cateran Trail, which takes you on a circular route through some of the most beautiful countryside imaginable.
In short, there is so much to offer, in such a compact area, that if you stay, you won't want to leave. Nearby are the grandest castles in Scotland – Glamis, Blair Castle and Scone Palace – while Royal Deeside and Balmoral are but a short journey northwards. Throughout the season from April to September there are numerous Highland Games, plus a host of other attractions on a daily basis.
Blairgowrie is an attractive town in east Perthshire and nestles at the foot of the Grampian mountains. It is divided from the neighbouring town of Rattray by the river Ericht.
At the end of the 18th century the Blairgowrie area was a huge centre for the growing of flax and various mills were built. In 1855 the railway arrived as a branch line from Dundee/Coupar Angus and this encouraged people from Dundee to move to the 'country' as they were very experienced in mill work of this type. The flax mills started closing in the 1950s and none has survived.
In the mid 1900s the area became the focus of Scotland's soft fruit industry, specialising in raspberries, but this is declining owing to cheap imports. The fruit was sent to Dundee to be processed into jam by Keillors of Dundee, a famous jam making family company. Raspberries are still freely available during the berry season along with strawberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. The town now has little industry but, being the largest town in east Perthshire, it offers a good selection of shops and services for all the smaller communities around.
The rivers Ericht, Isla and Tay are all easily accessible and several excellent golf courses are within a few miles travel. Rosemount golf course, on the outskirts of the town, is thought to be one of the best inland courses in Scotland.
Blairgowrie is the last town before travellers go northwards through Glenshee and the Grampians to Braemar and Deeside and is therefore a popular stop. It is one of the few Scottish towns to boast a hospital which is prized by locals as government cutbacks have caused many such places to close in recent years.