Located opposite Rattray on the bank of the River Ericht, Blairgowrie is a Scottish burgh at the foot of the Grampian Mountains. Archaeological findings suggest that it has been occupied since the Neolithic period, with the surrounding area boasting one of the largest collections of Pictish sculpted stones in Scotland.
Things to do in Blairgowrie
In the heart of town is the Blairgowrie & Rattray War Memorial, which commemorates the locals who died in the World Wars. It depicts a Scottish soldier standing in front of a plinth with the badges of the Scottish Horse, the Gordon Highlanders, the Black Watch and the Scottish Thistle. Surrounding the memorial is a small park dotted with benches where you can watch the world go by.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the trail that leads north from Blairgowrie along the banks of the River Ericht to Cargill's Leap. It takes in picturesque waterfalls, woodlands and the ruins of several old mills, as well as a viewpoint looking towards the Sidlaw Hills. There are information panels explaining the landmarks encountered along the way, as well as a small children’s playground.
West of Blairgowrie is Ardblair Castle, an L-shaped courtyard castle that dates back to the 16th century and is still owned by the Blair Oliphant family. Heritage-listed, it is believed to be haunted by a woman dressed in green silk who is said to have died from a broken heart after falling in love with a member of a rival family.
Getting around Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie is around 30 minutes’ drive from Dundee and just over an hour from Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Regular buses connect from Perth and Dundee to Blairgowrie and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.