Enter the soft fruit capital of Scotland, and you are on fertile grounds, ripe with greenery, scenery and riverside perks. Sitting on the banks of river Ericht, it is also the gateway to Scotland’s most popular alpine resort. Just half an hour’s drive from Perth and Dundee, Blairgowrie is a blissful town for family life. Its bucolic surroundings offer much to do, from long walks to fishing to skiing. There are good schools, community cohesion, and in, around and yonder opportunities to stay active. Are you thinking of moving to the country to raise your family? Here’s what makes Blairgowrie a family-friendly Scottish town.
Primary Schools
When it comes to early childhood education, Blairgowrie offers several state and independent schools with good track records. These include Cornerstones Nursery Blairgowrie, Newhill Primary School, Kirkmichael Primary School and St. Stephen’s RC Primary.
The nearby Rattray Primary School, Alyth Primary School, Coupar Angus Primary School and Meagle Primary School also add to the list of options available.
Couper Angus Primary School has two enhanced provision classes offering support for children aged 5 to 11 years with autism or complex additional needs.
Secondary Schools
One of the first 28 schools in Scotland to receive Schools of Ambition status, Blairgowrie High School serves as a key provider of secondary education to Blairgowrie and the surrounding area. More than 800 students are enrolled here.
Perth and Dundee also have excellent state, special and independent schools. These include Perth High School, Perth Grammar School, Perth Academy, Morgan Academy, Harris Academy, St John’s RC Academy and St. John’s RC High School.
Kingspark and Fairview are special education schools in Dundee for children of varying abilities to get a well-rounded education.
Most schools in and around Blairgowrie have a ‘good’ or ‘very good’ rating by Education Scotland.
Family outings
Walks – living in the beautiful Scottish countryside means lovely walks every day. Kids spending more time outdoors have positive outcomes for their well-being.
Explore wooded trails, streams, hills, and endless expanses of green spaces. Blairgowrie is also the starting point of the Cataran Trail. It is a 64-mile circular route that follows the historic drovers’ roads used by cattle rustlers. You get to cover a variety of terrains on this trail.
Cairngorms National Park – extended into Perth and Kinross in 2010, the Cairngorms National Park is the largest in the UK. It is the perfect setting for all types of outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, golfing, bungee jumping, and picnics.
Explore the villages, castles and breweries in the park. Visit the Spittal of Glenshee and other straths and glens that make up the Caledonian forest. You will thank yourself you live here because there’s much to discover, all of which is stunning and pleasant. Don’t forget the Cairngorms Farmers’ Market and Nature Festival, events to look forward to. You can even explore it with racing huskies pulling sledges.
Glenshee – it’s not just for skiing but also hillwalking, fishing, abseiling, cycling, golfing, sailing, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, and more, but the glen offers activities galore on its 2000 acres.
Fruit Picking – when in Blairgowrie, picking juicy berries by yourself becomes part of life. There are plenty of berry farms and orchards to visit every season. Blairgowrie is known for its fine-quality raspberries and strawberries.
Day trips to Perth – sitting on the banks of River Tay, the city of Perth provides everything from shopping sprees to castles and gardens. It is lively, historic, and culture-rich. You will never get tired of visiting the Scone Palace, hearing the finest acoustics in Europe at the Perth Concert Hall or catching equestrian action on the Perth Racecourse.
Golf – surrounded by scenic golf courses from those in Cairngorms to Glenshee and to its very own Blairgowrie Golf Club, those who love to hit the green can stay active throughout the year. Set against a picturesque backdrop, Dalmunzie Golf Course is one of Britain’s highest 9-hole courses.
Culture and Community
Whether it is the Braemar Gathering or the Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games, a buzzing culture calendar will add variety to your everyday life here. Blairgowrie Rugby & Ale Festival, Bookmark Festival and Rattray Arts Festival are local regulars.
Perth Theatre and Concert Hall hosts acclaimed plays, concerts, comedy, pantos and talks. A packed seasonal calendar in Perth spreads cheer to all of Perthshire – from Christmas Lights Party to Winter Markets. You can also catch your favourite movies at the Perth Playhouse.
Sports
While it is no secret that golfers and anglers thrive on the Blairgowrie landscape and beyond, there are many sporting facilities for recreation and keeping fit. The Cairngorms and Glenshee offer plenty of sporting opportunities, from archery to indoor rock climbing. Footie fans congregate at the St Johnstone Football Club in Perth to cheer their teams.
Blairgowrie has a junior football club, and the Community Football Club are for all ages. The town has its own rugby club, badminton club, tennis club, karate club, bowling club, hockey club, and disability sport & recreation. The nearby Rattray has a curling club, too.
Amenities and Services
Blairgowrie is well-positioned for travel and amenities. Not only can you commute daily to Perth and Dundee easily, but everything you need is conveniently accessible. It is one of the reasons why properties in Blairgowrie are sought-after.
Healthcare
Blairgowrie Community Hospital has a community ward with inpatient beds, outpatient clinics and an appointment-based minor injuries and illness unit. Perth Royal Infirmary, Murray Royal Hospital, Ninewells Hospital Dundee and Dundee Royal Infirmary provide excellent healthcare for Blairgowrie residents.
Blairgowrie also has dentists, opticians and a physiotherapy clinic. There are also several high-quality care homes and qualified care providers.
Shops and Services
Independent shops, supermarkets, banks, a building society, restaurants, gyms, hairdressers, fitness centres, pubs, cafes, a post office, a petrol station, garages and travel agents are available in the town. Numerous local businesses offer everything from gardening to window cleaning. The Blairgowrie Dog Park has 6-foot door fencing and rabbit netting for your pooch to run and play free.
Blairgowrie also has a parish church and several other churches.
Transport
Stagecoach East Coast provides regular services to Blairgowrie and Perth, and Dundee train stations are less than half an hour away. You are also not too far from an airport, with the nearest airport at Dundee.
Not all country life is comfortable for family life. Blairgowrie is a confluence of convenience and country charm. It’s a commuter town set in an idyllic backdrop and self-contained with good schools and amenities. Living here is a dream many have. GS Brown’s new builds and homes for sale in Blairgowrie make that dream a reality.
Cast your worries aside about living in the country for the right reasons. Explore our development built for a strong sense of community, place, and peace. Designed for modern living and built to superior specifications, our homes create the perfect cosy home life. Find 2 to 4-bedroom energy-efficient homes that achieve the highest standards. Are you interested in moving to Blairgowrie?
