Discover Blairgowrie and Rattray

Blairgowrie and Rattray combines a bustling market town with riverside landscapes, walking trails and a remarkable textile history. Anyone looking for a holiday cottage for a trip to Scotland will find a range of points of interest here: the Cateran Trail begins in Blairgowrie, the River Ericht flows through the town centre, and landscapes and places of remembrance await discovery around Rattray and on the outskirts of the town.

Walking with different day-trip options

The Cateran Trail is a fully signposted route through Perthshire and the Angus glens in the heart of Scotland. It is 64 miles or 103 kilometres long. As the trail begins in Blairgowrie, you can consider the town as a starting point if this long-distance route is part of your travel plans. For a shorter outing, the circular walk from the town centre to The Knockie is a good option. The route is approximately three miles or five kilometres long and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

The Knockie rewards the ascent with views across Blairgowrie, Rattray and the surrounding area. On a clear day, the view extends to the Sidlaw Hills and beyond. This allows a longer day of walking and a more manageable circular route to be combined as different travel ideas, without having to commit to just one type of outing.

The River Ericht and the history of the mills

The River Ericht shapes the centre of Blairgowrie and Rattray. Sixteen mills stood along its banks; many of them can be seen on a walk along the riverside. The industrial past dates back to the Industrial Revolution: flax was processed initially, followed later by jute and finally rayon. Anyone interested in technological, economic or local history can therefore combine the riverside landscape with a look at the former textile industry.

A viewing platform is located on the River Ericht in the section at Keith Falls near Cargill's Leap. An information panel there explains that local man Donald Cargill escaped pursuing government troops by jumping across the river. A memorial cairn for Donald Cargill also stands in a field outside Rattray. These stops give the landscape a historical connection, without implying that they form a set walking route.

Lochs, woodlands and spring blossom

White Loch, Fingask Loch and Black Loch lie on the outskirts of Blairgowrie. They are small freshwater lochs in the Lowlands; at the same time, they are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and form part of a Special Area of Conservation. Darroch Woods on the outskirts are locally known as Bluebell Woods. Every spring, the woods put on an impressive display of bluebells. These natural attractions complement the walking ideas with more peaceful landscape experiences and seasonal highlights.

Events and activities

Annual events in Blairgowrie and Rattray include the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games and the Braemar Day celebrations. If you would like to plan your trip around traditions and events, it is worth taking the respective dates into account separately when planning.

Active days out can also be expanded thematically: Outdoor Explore is based in Blairgowrie in Perthshire and offers guided kayaking tours as well as other outdoor activities throughout Scotland. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether your trip should be shaped more by walking, riverside and landscape experiences, cultural history or additional outdoor activities. Stagecoach operates several bus services from Blairgowrie and Rattray to neighbouring towns and villages, including Dundee, Perth, Alyth, Meigle, Coupar Angus, Bridge of Cally and Kirkmichael.

Discover more destinations in the surrounding area

For additional travel ideas, you can also explore Comrie, Kenmore, Perth, Coupar Angus, Bridge Of Cally, Invergowrie, Kinfauns and Glendevon.

To the higher-level travel overview: Perth And Kinross.