|
|
Local Area
Blairgowrie is Perthshires second largest town and a 15
minute drive south from Holly Tree Lodge. The red stone
towns of Blairgowrie and it's sister Rattray lie on
either side of the River Ericht where it emerges from
spectacular gorges in Strathmore. The town became a
burgh in 1634. The military road north to Braemar was
opened in 1724. By the end of the 18thC the Blairgowrie
area was a huge centre for the growing of flax.
Initially the linen weaving industry was home based but
the first industrial mill was erected in 1798. Others
followed throughout the 19thC. In 1855 the railway
arrived as a branch line from Coupar Angus. Recently the
area has become the focus of Perthshire's soft fruit
growing, specially raspberries.
Nearby Rosemount golf course was designed by some of the
great early names of Scottish golf and is considered one
of the best inland courses in Scotland.
The town of is one of the main accommodation centres for
the Glenshee ski resort. It is a busy place with a good
range of shops which extend into Blairgowrie's twin
community of Rattray. developed in the 19th Century when
flax mills were built on the banks of the River Ericht.
It prospered further when the commercial growing of
raspberries was introduced to the area.
On the north side of the town the old Keathbank jute
mill building is now a visitor centre with working water
wheel and original mill machinery. It also houses the
largest O-gauge model railway in Britain. The centre is
open during the summer season only.
South east of is the village of This is home to the
finest collection of in Scotland.
Head east from and you pass the pretty and historic
village of en route to Located at the head of two glens,
Clova and Prosen, is a pretty town. Its narrow winding
streets have an olde worlde charm. It is famous as the
birthplace of creator of Peter Pan: and a commemorative
statue is located in the town. |
