Blairgowrie and Rattray – Starting point of the Cateran Trail

Blairgowrie and Rattray brings together the River Ericht, walking trails and a clearly tangible local history. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different scales: the Cateran Trail starts in Blairgowrie and stretches far across Perthshire and the Angus glens; the circular route to The Knockie, by contrast, starts in the town centre. The riverbanks, lochs and historic sites each add their own character.

Walking trails on different scales

The Cateran Trail is fully waymarked and is 64 miles, or 103 kilometres, long. Its route runs through Perthshire and the Angus glens in the heart of Scotland. Blairgowrie, a bustling market town, is the starting point. From the town, the trail leads into a vast landscape, while the circular route from Blairgowrie town centre to The Knockie covers about three miles, or five kilometres, and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The two routes differ considerably in length; an approximate walking time is also given for the circular route.

The Knockie offers views across Blairgowrie, Rattray and the surrounding area. On a clear day, the view reaches as far as the Sidlaw Hills and beyond. This viewpoint is a useful consideration when planning your walks, alongside the route details: the Cateran Trail is a long route through Perthshire and the Angus glens, while the circular route to The Knockie is a shorter loop starting from the town centre.

The River Ericht, lochs and seasonal nature

The River Ericht flows through the centre of Blairgowrie and Rattray, connecting the landscape with the town’s history. At Cargill’s Leap, there is a viewing platform by the river in the Keith Falls section. On the outskirts of town are White Loch, Fingask Loch and Black Loch, three small freshwater lochs in the lowlands. All three are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and form part of a Special Area of Conservation.

Darroch Woods on the outskirts of town are also known for a particular season: locally called the Bluebell Woods, they put on an impressive display of bluebells every spring. The exact timing varies from year to year. If seeing the flowers is an important part of your trip, take their seasonal nature into account when making your plans.

Local history by the river and in Rattray

An information board at Cargill’s Leap tells how local man Donald Cargill escaped pursuing government troops by jumping across the river. A cairn commemorating Donald Cargill stands in a field outside Rattray. The viewing platform, information board and monument each offer a different perspective: you can encounter the history by the river and also at a site beyond the town.

The industrial past is also connected with the River Ericht. During the Industrial Revolution, Blairgowrie and Rattray was an important centre for the textile industry. First flax was processed, followed by jute and finally rayon. Sixteen mills stood along the banks of the River Ericht; many can be seen on a walk along the river. This offers a way to connect the area’s industrial history with a view of the river as it is today.

Events and practical information

Annual events include the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games and the Braemar Day celebrations. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the dates for your planned travel period.

Stagecoach operates several bus services connecting Blairgowrie and Rattray with nearby towns and villages. These include Dundee, Perth, Alyth, Meigle, Coupar Angus, Bridge of Cally and Kirkmichael. Check the timetable in advance for your specific journey. Outdoor Explore is based in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and offers guided kayaking tours and other outdoor activities throughout Scotland.

The route lengths and the walking time given for the circular route to The Knockie offer practical points of reference for planning your day.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Auchterarder, Pitlochry, Crieff, St David's, Fowlis Wester, Perth, Dunning, Acharn.

Back to the main travel overview: Perth And Kinross.