Blairgowrie Attractions
If you’re looking for Blairgowrie attractions during your stay, you’ll find plenty of beautiful places to explore close to Perthshire Holiday Cottages. From riverside walks and historic landmarks to wildlife reserves, golf courses and nearby towns, Blairgowrie is a brilliant base for discovering this scenic part of Perthshire.
Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie has a relaxed, friendly feel with plenty to explore right on the doorstep. The Cateran Trail is one of the area’s best‑known routes, offering accessible walking through glens and farmland. Closer to town, Cargill’s Leap provides a short, scenic walk along the River Ericht, with viewpoints and easy paths. Golfers can enjoy the highly regarded Blairgowrie Golf Club, home to the Rosemount and Lansdowne courses. The town centre has a growing mix of independent shops, cafés, and local food spots, making it easy to spend a few hours wandering. For those who enjoy wildlife and quieter corners, the surrounding countryside offers peaceful riverside paths and gentle woodland trails.
Dunkeld
Dunkeld is known for its history, riverside scenery, and easy access to woodland walks. Dunkeld Cathedral sits right on the banks of the River Tay and is one of the area’s most recognisable landmarks. Just outside the town, The Hermitage offers a classic Perthshire walk through tall Douglas firs to the waterfalls at Ossian’s Hall. The Birnam Oak, linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is another popular stop, especially for families. Wildlife lovers can visit Loch of the Lowes, where ospreys return each spring. Dunkeld’s high street is full of independent shops, bakeries, and small galleries, giving the town a lively but laid‑back feel.
Cargill’s Leap
Cargill’s Leap is one of the easiest Blairgowrie attractions to visit, as it is only a 10‑minute walk from the centre of Blairgowrie. The path follows the River Ericht upstream to a viewpoint overlooking a dramatic, narrow rocky gorge. Local tradition says this is where the Covenanter Donald Cargill leapt across the river in 1638 while fleeing Government troops.
The walk can be extended into a longer circular route that includes The Knockie, a lovely viewpoint offering views over Blairgowrie and the surrounding Countryside.
The Hermitage
The Hermitage is a fantastic woodland walk to the north‑west of Dunkeld. Starting from the car park, the path leads you through towering Douglas firs and riverside trails, making it one of Perthshire’s most loved routes. Along the way you’ll reach Ossian’s Hall, a restored 18th‑century folly with a viewpoint looking directly over the waterfall — a brilliant spot for photos.
The area is also well‑known among experienced downhill mountain bikers, who use the surrounding trails for more technical riding.
Loch of the Lowes
Loch of the Lowes sits just north‑east of Dunkeld, a short turn off the A923 towards Blairgowrie. The nature reserve is home to breeding ospreys, and the visitor centre, run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is well worth a stop. There are gentle paths around the site and hides where visitors can watch the ospreys and the wide variety of wildlife that thrives here.