If you’re looking for a short break packed with food and drink, culture and heritage, and a range of outdoor activities right on your doorstep, then you need look no further than east Perthshire’s cateran country.
Situated in the heart of Scotland, this part of the world is teeming with history and character and yet remains something of a hidden gem.
If you have just a few days to explore here, here’s what we recommend:
Day 1: Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie is the largest town in Perthshire and a great base for your stay in east Perthshire.
With around 80 shops in Blairgowrie alone, it is possible to buy almost anything here. Check out independent bookstore Adventure into Books and arts and crafts hub Nest Creative Spaces in the Wellmeadow, and traditional jewellers Victor and Sons just round the corner on Allan Street. Piob Mhor of Scotland on the High Street has a huge range of Scottish gifts and clothing, while next door, silversmith Sarah Cave offers a range of ‘hand raised’ silverware as well as stunning jewellery.
Still in the centre of Blairgowrie, head to the riverside area for a picnic or a gentle walk along the banks of the River Ericht. Recently renamed as the Sir William Macpherson Park after the 27th Hereditary Chief of Clan Macpherson who was born in the town, there is a small car park, picnic tables, an information board, a play park for youngsters and an outdoor gym for adults. If you follow the path upstream, you’ll come to a couple of viewing platforms overlooking the river. The second, smaller viewing platform is Cargill’s Leap, where Donald Cargill, a local minster and covenanter, escaped pursuing troops by leaping over the river.
The remains of some of the 16 mills that were once situated along the banks of the Ericht and saw Blairgowrie and Rattray play a significant role in Scotland’s linen industry can still be seen. You can find out more about the stories of the mills thanks to the Cateran Ecomuseum which has curated a special itinerary dedicated to this important part of the town’s history here https://cateranecomuseum.co.uk/itinerary/a-spin-along-the-ericht There’s also an audio tour on the Geotourist app, which you can access here.
More energetic walkers will enjoy a walk up Knockie on the edge of Blairgowrie, where you can take in the spectacular views from the top of the hill overlooking the town.
Day 2: Let’s get physical!
The stunning landscape in this part of the world offers outdoor thrill-seekers a plethora of opportunities to enjoy everything from mountain biking to road cycling, walking to watersports, skiing to swimming and golfing to geocaching.
No matter your age or fitness level, there’s a walking route to suit you in east Perthshire. We have everything from sheltered forest walks and riverside strolls to more demanding high-level walking on the Grampian plateau – and we’re especially proud of the Cateran Trail, a 64-mile / 103 km route that is one of Scotland’s Great Trails.
Or you could spend the morning kayaking or paddle boarding with the experienced guides at Outdoor Explore who know all the best places to go, then head to the award-winning Strathmore Golf Centre for some lunch before an afternoon on the greens.
Cyclists are spoilt for choice with a range of routes both on and off-road. Check out the Cateran Ecomuseum’s itineraries for some inspiration.
Day 3: The Glens
The glens of east Perthshire are well worth exploring. From Blairgowrie, head north on the Snow Road to Glenshee – a quintessential Highland glen. Its name translates as the ‘glen of the faeries’ and it is certainly a very magical place that will enchant anyone who visits the area.
After stopping at the ski centre – one of the oldest in Scotland – and enjoying the views from the chairlift, head across to beautiful Glenisla, passed the historic Forter Castle and down to the Glenisla Hotel for lunch, afternoon tea or an evening meal. And if you time it right you may just catch a traditional music session in this traditional coaching inn!
There’s so much to do and see here that you will easily fill a three-day stay in east Perthshire’s cateran country – and hopefully leave with plans to come back and visit again. As we are fond of saying here in Scotland, ‘Haste ye back!’
