18 miles west of Perth, surrounded by the mesmerising Strathearn countryside, is the traditional market town of Crieff, which has drawn tourists from across the British Isles since the 19th century to enjoy its salubrious climate. Today, it is a bustling town with shops and supermarkets, good schools, travel links, green open spaces, golf, fishing, and riverside walks. Whether you want a balanced family life or a peaceful retirement, Crieff offers a wealth of good reasons to make it home.
Location
Crieff is in the coveted location where the lowland landscape meets the highland terrain in Perthshire. The town lies on the southern slopes of the Grampians, descending gracefully to join the River Earn in the valley below. Positioned on the A85 and A822, you can catch the bus or drive to Perth and back effortlessly. If you want the more scenic route, choose the A823 from Dunfermline over Knock Hill to Yetts of Muckart, then through Glen Devon and Gleneagles to reach Crieff. The Gleneagles station is only 20 minutes away.
Historical and cultural significance
Crieff was a well-known ‘tryst’ or marketplace for cattle for centuries. Highlanders drove their herds here, sometimes from as far as the Caithness and the Outer Hebrides, crowding the fields and hillsides. The town served as a gathering point every October of each year for the Michaelmas Fair, trading nearly 30,000 cattle.
Its turbulent past, connected to the Jacobite uprising, once saw the town and surrounding Strathearn villages burned down in 1716. Later rebuilt by James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth, it became a prosperous weaving town until the mid-19th century. Prince Charles Edward Stuart held his final council of war in the town square in 1746, before the fateful encounter at Culloden.
In the 19th century, Crieff became known as ‘The Montpellier of the North’, becoming a fashionable tourist destination favoured by the wealthy. Crieff hydropathic establishment, now the Crieff Hydro, opened in 1868, putting the town on the Victorian map as a popular spa resort.
Natural beauty and outdoor activities
Steeped in history, beauty, and charm, your days here are anything but mundane.
- Loch Monzievaird, situated 2 miles west of Crieff, is a beautiful place to let your outdoor spirit frolic. Fishing, canoeing, boating, paddleboarding, biking, walking, zip-lining and cross-country skiing are some of the activities to try here. It also has playing fields for football or even foot golf.
- Camp out in a wild glen, hike up a Munro to see the sunrise or go horseback riding along picturesque trails in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park a bit further. There are 7 spectacular golf clubs for superb golfing here.
- Lady Mary’s Walk runs along the banks of the River Earn. A climb over Laggan Hill takes you to Crieff’s MacRosty Park. Perfect for picnics, the park has the Turret Burn flowing through it. You will never tire of walking among its impressive collection of mature trees. It also has a children’s play area.
- Climb to the top of Knock for sweeping views across the town, Strath Earn, Ochil Hills and the Highlands.
- Drummond Gardens within the grounds of Drummond Castle are romantic and captivating. Remodelled in the 1830s, they follow the layout of a 17th-century Renaissance Garden, with formal terraces, ornamental flower beds, symmetrical patterns, statues and fountains.
- Crieff is also the home of Glenturret Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, famous for its handmade single-malt whisky. The distillery has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar for tasting and a retail store.
- When it comes to dining, spa and recreation, don’t forget Crieff Hydro. It has 10 restaurants, a spa and hair treatments, a swimming pool, Victorian baths, a gym, a country club and tennis facilities, not to mention over 60 outdoor and indoor recreational activities.
- Set against the backdrop of breathtaking countryside and nestled on gently sloping parkland, Crieff Golf Club ranks among Scotland’s top-rated inland courses. The renowned Gleneagles Golf Resort is just a twenty-minute drive away.
- Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst, held every year, is a walking festival that celebrates the life, work, and traditions of those who made Crieff the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s. Run by volunteers, it includes guided walks in the stunning scenery and surrounding areas of Perthshire.
- The Crieff Highland Gathering, hosted at the iconic Market Park, showcases traditional Highland games competitions, Highland dancing performances, and stirring bagpipe music.
Community and lifestyle
It is an active, involved, friendly and close-knit community. Whether you are looking to raise a family or retire, Crieff offers safety, serenity, amenities and plenty of leisure pursuits. An array of local & independent shops, supermarkets, farm shops, delis, art galleries, businesses, cafes, traditional pubs and fine-dining restaurants provide diverse services and facilities.
Your local dentists, GP surgeries and chemists are all located within close proximity to the village. The purpose-built Crieff Medical Centre offers blue and red services. Adjacent to it is the Crieff Community Hospital. An ambulance station provides patient transport to hospitals in Perth, Stirling and Dundee. Adult care and Home Care services are also available here.
The Crieff Angling Club, Crieff Connexions Centre, Uniting Crieff and Crieff Community Trust are a few of the local groups that bring together people of shared interests for activities and causes.
Crieff has several excellent nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools. Among these are Crieff Primary School, Crieff High School, Morrison’s Academy and Ardvreck School – a co-educational Prep School with full boarding.
Community facilities in the area offer opportunities for everything from yoga classes to drama to music recording. These include the Strathearn Community Campus, St Andrews’ Halls, Logos Youth Project, Fifth Perthshire (Crieff) Scout Group Hall and more.
Property types and housing in Crieff
As the second largest town in Perthshire, Crieff attracts house hunters across Scotland and England. With an easy commute to Perth yet so close to glens, hills, rivers, woods, golf courses, gardens and parks, it makes the ideal location. Whether you are buying a home for family life, retirement, your last move or holiday letting, they yield higher returns on your investment compared to many other Perthshire locations. It is an area with a huge demand for self-catering accommodation, and a second home will help you jumpstart your holiday home venture.
Property for sale in Crieff includes new builds designed with modern amenities. These are sought-after for their energy efficiency, a key feature that makes them popular, especially among downsizers who want to avoid the extra burden of retrofitting or high utility bills.
Their energy-efficient heating, integrated appliances, lighting, insulation, fixtures and fittings set them apart from older, existing builds that do not meet the same environmental standards. Homes by reputed developers also include renewable energy options like solar panels, which give these homes better sustainability. High standards for new builds also mean improved build quality and design features that make life easier.
Open-plan living areas, spacious rooms, natural lighting, parking spaces and garden space offer versatility and flexibility. And, for seniors looking for better accessibility, safety and personalisation, newly built bungalows bring less worry. House prices in Crieff continue to grow, ensuring a better return on sale in the long term.
Choose energy-efficient and sustainable living in Crieff with GS Brown
Crieff isn’t just about country living but also about high-quality country living. The town, centred on wellness and health, offers modern amenities and beautiful attractions for a rewarding life.
The GS Brown Tomaknock development offers 3-bedroom bungalows built to high specifications and the latest environmental standards. Chosen for its idyllic location and designed for the ideal life, we are proud to present the best of Crieff living with our energy-efficient, stylish and spacious homes. Whether for family life, last move, or downsizing, you will never regret choosing Crieff. Which plot is your favourite?
