Blairgowrie

Perthshire's second largest town is Blairgowrie, on the banks of the River Ericht.

By the end of the 18th century the Blairgowrie area was a huge centre for growing flax with the town developing to house 12 spinning mills. Now Blairgowrie is the focus of the Perthshire soft fruit growing industry (especially raspberries), and is popular with golfers and anglers. It is also the main start point for the 60-mile circular Cateran Trail that walkers can follow around the historic drove roads used by brigands and cattle rustlers.

Blairgowrie is the gateway to Glenshee which caters for year-round sports including skiing, golfing, mountain biking, abseiling, hang-gliding and paragliding. Close by, the village of Meikleour boasts the Meikleour Beech Hedge which was planted in 1746 and is officially recognised as the tallest hedge in the world.