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For centuries Strathearn,
the broad valley of the River Earn, has been a resting place for travellers. As the
capital of Strathearn, Crieff - a small town built on the slopes of the Grampian foothills
- was transformed from trading town to popular holiday resort during the reign of Queen
Victoria. This is truly one of Scotland’s most unspoilt areas, situated, as it is
where the lush countryside of the Lowlands meets the grandeur of the Perthshire Highlands. In the 18th Century Crieff was an important cattle trading centre, to where the Highland crofters would make long journeys, using now forgotten drove roads through the hillside, in order to trade livestock at the huge market known as the ‘tryst’. Today the town is a bustling market town where you will find a fine selection of small specialist retailers. It was not however, until Victorian times and the advent of steam rail that Crieff became a fashionable holiday resort. New and elegant hotels such as the Strathearn Hydropathic (now Crieff Hydro) were being increasingly patronised by a growing number of affluent middle class city dwellers, eager to escape to the fresh air and scenic surroundings of Strathearn. Today, visitors come for those same reasons and so much more, for Crieff, despite its modest size, offers a rich abundance of things for you to see and do. For example, the basement of Crieff Tourist Information Centre houses the Drummond and Burgh Crosses, and old town stocks. After having explored the vibrant town centre your first stop might be the Crieff Visitor Centre, where you can view two of Scotland’s oldest and most fascinating crafts. Learn about the intricacies of glass manufacture, take a tour of the Thistle Pottery or simply drop in at the Plant Centre followed by refreshments in the restaurant. Finish off at the factory shop where you can purchase your very own Perthshire Paperweight. |
Continue along Muthill Road
where you can experience many local craft industries first hand. See the skills involved
in the glass decoration at Stuart Crystal. Stop for coffee before browsing through the
factory shop and be sure to catch the free falconry display. For crafts of a different kind journey to the other side of town to Glenturret Distillery. Scotland’s oldest Distillery warmly welcomes you and will guide you through the precise craft of whisky distillation. A visit to the heritage centre and that all-important complimentary ‘nip’ of whisky will warm the cockles and complete your day. The glories of the Crieff countryside are not far from the town centre. Indeed Macrosty Park in Crieff with its Victorian bandstand and majestic trees provides a lovely afternoon setting. Likewise on a clear day you can enjoy panoramic splendour from The Knock, the wooded hill which rises above Crieff. Not far away, Comrie is a charming village and is known as the "Shakey Toun".! Comrie’s geological position on the Highland Boundary Fault has caused it to experience many earth tremors and it was here that the world’s very first seismometers were set up. Tiny Earthquake House contains a replica of the recording equipment used. A little further south you can witness the wonders of wild birds and animals taking their first steps at the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre. Travel west and the whole family can spend an unusual and fun day feeding trout before casting a line for a catch at the Drummond Trout Farm & Fishery. |
