Blairgowrie

Blairgowrie is one of the largest towns in Perthshire, lying to the north of the city of Perth on the banks of the River Ericht.

This bustling, market town is the ideal place to eat, shop and explore the  Angus Glens. Perthshire is known as Scotland’s larder and Blairgowrie offers shoppers fantastic local produce direct from the surrounding farms including strawberries and raspberries. Taking advantage of this local produce are the lovely cafés, restaurants, hotels and inns in the town.

By the end of the 18th century the Blairgowrie area was a huge centre for growing flax with 12 spinning mills being set up. Blairgowrie is now the focus of the Perthshire soft fruit growing industry (especially raspberries), and is popular with golfers and anglers. It is also the main start point for the 60-mile circular Cateran Trail that walkers can follow around the historic drove roads used by cattle rustlers. Blairgowrie is the gateway to Glenshee which offers visitors year-round sports including skiing, golfing and mountain biking. Nearby, the village of Meikleour is home to the Meikleour Beech Hedge which is officially recognised as the tallest hedge in the world.

Things to see and do in Blairgowrie

Don’t Miss:

Cateran Trail

From its beginning in Blairgowrie, the famous Cateran Trail is a 64-mile circular walk taking in stunning scenery. Walkers can also enjoy views of a natural gorge, Cargill’s Leap.

Persie Distillery

Hand-crafted on site at the foot of Glenshee , enjoy a liquid tour at Persie Gin Distillery. You can sample 8 different gin flavours, all carefully created by the talent distillers. For the full experience, head behind the scenes on a guided tour of where the recipe is developed, distilled and then bottled, ready for sale. 

Scottish Woodland Skills Centre

Offering extensive courses and activities that are related to woodland, trees and wooden crafts. Learn tradtional carving skills and created woven baskets from willow. Reconnecting with nature and seeing your own creation come to life. 

Blairgowrie Golf Club

If you’re a golf fan, there are no fewer than nine courses within a few miles of Blairgowrie. Its hard to find an unattractive golf course, but this one has a particular beauty to it with tall trees and rolling greens.  

For the essentials

Recently new to Blairgowrie is the supermarket Lidl, located on the Perth road as you enter the town itself. A short distance from the river and town centre is Tesco, both options are ideal for picking up the essentials when checking into your holiday cottage.  

Places to Eat

Cargill's Bistro

Cargill’s Bistro, by the riverside in Blairgowrie, named after Donald Cargill, a local minister on the run from the king’s guards, who was said to have escaped capture by leaping a seemingly impossible distance over a gorge on the River Ericht.

Cargill’s is a bright, welcoming restaurant serving fine local food, and is a very popular choice with both visitors to the town and locals.

The Dalmore Inn & Restaurant

Enjoy fine scottish food with traditional dishes in a relaxed atmosphere situated just outside the market town of Blairgowrie. 

Don’t Miss:

Blairgowrie Highland Games

The annual Blairgowrie Highland Games is a blend of traditional Scottish sporting events and fun, takes place on the first Sunday in September.