At the foot of the Grampian Mountains, on the Strathmore Valley, flanked by River Ericht and nestled at the southern entrance to Glenshee, is the historic market town of Blairgowrie. It serves as a base for those seeking alpine adventures and embarking on the Cateran Trail. The fertile river banks laden with juicy raspberries and strawberries have turned the town into a soft fruit-growing capital. It is a paradise for the nature lover, angler, golfer, skier, hiker, rambler and others who love outdoor pursuits. Whether you are looking for a holiday home or to move to the picturesque country, here’s what you can expect to find in Blairgowrie.
The natural beauty of Blairgowrie
With more than 200,000 acres of woodlands and more champion trees than anywhere else in the UK, Perthshire has rightly earned its moniker – Big Tree Country. Blairgowrie is one beautiful piece of this landscape, encompassing all that makes Perthshire glorious – lochs, hills, rivers, streams, woods, meadows and moorlands. Venture a bit further, and the Cairngorms National Park, with its majestic mountains, opens up another dimension to natural wonders.
The historical locations
Cargill’s Leap – this narrow gorge on the river Ericht just north of Blairgowrie is where Presbyterian minister Donald Cargill leapt across to escape pursuing soldiers during the reign of Charles II.
Dunkeld Cathedral – sitting on the north side of River Tay in Dunkeld, it is one of the finest medieval churches in Scotland. Partly ruined, it still functions as a cathedral and is open to the public. It features both Norman and Gothic architectural elements.
Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum – situated in the village of Meigle, the museum displays Pictish carved stones from the 9th and 10th centuries AD. These make up one of the most important collections of early medieval sculpture in Western Europe.
The Meikleour Beech Hedge – four miles south of Blairgowrie, is the longest and tallest hedge in the world, planted in 1745. Running alongside the A93 Perth-Blairgowrie Road, the hedge is 30 metres (98 feet) high and 530 metres (1,740 feet) long.
Outdoor activities
Imagine going for lovely long walks, boat rides, abseiling, hang gliding, mountain trekking, skiing, or golfing whenever you feel like it. Nature right on the doorstep, Blairgowrie is the ideal base for the outdoorsy spirits.
Hiking and Trekking
From the Cataren Trail to the Bluebell Wood Loop, Blairgowrie offers a wealth of hiking and trekking trails. The 64-mile circular Cataran Trail is now designated as one of Scotland’s Great Trails by NatureScot.
Usually starting at Blairgowrie, the trail follows a clockwise route through Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee, Kirkton of Glenisla and Alyth before re-approaching Blairgowrie through Drimmie Woods.
It traces the paths caterans (cattle raiders) took when they drove the stolen cattle across the Highlands during the Middle Ages until the 17th century.
Golf
The Blairgowrie Golf Club – consistently featured in the top 100 golf courses of Scotland, Blairgowrie Golf Club features the renowned Rosemount and Lansdowne Championship courses and a majestic 9-hole course set in heather-lined avenues of pine and silver birch.
Strathmore Golf Centre – set in Alyth, it presents the 18-hole Rannaleroch Course and the 9-hole Leitfie Links, a 10-bay covered golf range, a golf academy and a friendly clubhouse.
Alyth Golf Club – the two 9-hole courses on a heathland layout combine tree-lined fairways and diverse rolling terrain with the option to play 18 holes from different tees (6229 yards, par 70).
Dalmunzie Golf Course – venture further into the great Cairngorms National Park to treat yourself to the Dalmunzie Golf Course, surrounded by mountain scenery. It is one of Britain’s highest 9-hole courses.
Sports
Glenshee and Cairngorms National Park offer various outdoor activities to keep you busy throughout the year. The Cairngorms National Park is home to 3 of Scotland’s 5 ski resorts, including the largest of all, Glenshee. And, before you hit the slopes, you can book a lesson at one of the ski schools next to the Glen.
You can look forward to summer Chairlift, mountain biking, glamping, Munro bagging, and hill walking during warmer months. With River Spey and Dee flowing through the Cairngorms, watersports like white water rafting, gorge walking, canoeing and paddling at the park are ideal for some splashy fun. Opportunities for rock climbing, abseiling, clay shooting, archery, fishing and wildlife spotting are also available.
Highland Games
Highland games have been a part of Scottish culture for hundreds of years. They are usually one-day events taking place in the outdoors across the country. They feature traditional Highland sports, such as the caber toss, tug of war, and the hammer throw, accompanied by Highland dancing and music well into the night. Events involve livestock events, parades and best-dressed pet competitions.
The first games usually begin in May and carry on through July and August, ending in September. This year, the Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games will be on 8th September on the Ardblair Estate. It includes Ardblair Stones, track and field, hill racing, tug of war, piping competition, highland dancing and dog show.
Live closer to nature at Elm Drive in Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie is a gem of a town that places you close to Perth but amidst Perthshire’s pristine natural surroundings. Whether you are keen on outdoor pursuits or love the occasional gentle nature walks, you will never tire of living here. Are you looking to buy a second home to rent out to holidaymakers or move to greener pastures?
GS Brown 2-, 3- & 4-bedroom homes offer spacious, modern living for families and downsizers. Our homes come with the latest energy-efficient features, integrated appliances, safety features and contemporary fittings. Versatile designs, high-quality craftsmanship, stylish interiors and well-proportioned rooms bring you comfort without compromise. Find out how to reserve your plot here.
