Overview of Blairgowrie

A town in Strathmore, Perth and Kinross, Blairgowrie is situated amidst fertile farmland 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Perth at the southern entry to Glen Shee. Known locally as 'Blair', Blairgowrie lies on the River Ericht which flows south to join the River Isla nearby. It expanded from being a mere village following the establishment of water-powered textile mills, the arrival of the railway in 1855 and the development of Scotland's fruit growing industry which is centred on Blairgowrie.

Today Blairgowrie has further developed to become a tourist resort with an emphasis on outdoor activities linked to skiing, walking, hang gliding and pony trekking in Glenshee and the surrounding area. Indoor activities are catered for in the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre and the town has three golf courses. Keathbank Mill houses an heraldic workshop and heraldry museum, together with Scotland's largest working water-wheel and a model railway. Additional industries include printing, food services, fish farming and the manufacture of agricultural machinery, paper bags and animal feedstuffs.