The first stage of the Cateran Trail begins in Blairgowrie, while the circular route to Knockie starts in the town centre. There is also the River Ericht, former mills and a long history of textile and jam production. You can plan your stay around whether hiking, the riverside or local history is your main focus.
Hiking: a stage or a circular route?
The first stage of the Cateran Trail runs from Blairgowrie via Bridge of Cally to Kirkmichael. It is 15.5 miles or 24.9 kilometres long. The full Cateran Trail stretches for 64 miles or 103 kilometres through Perthshire and the Angus glens and is fully signposted. This makes it easy to distinguish the length of the first section from the scale of the entire route.
A circular route to Knockie starts in Blairgowrie town centre. It is about 3 miles or 5 kilometres long and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. On a clear day, the view from Knockie extends across Blairgowrie and Rattray to the Sidlaw Hills and beyond. The shorter circular route and the first Cateran Trail stage therefore offer different distances to consider when planning your day.
The Blairgowrie Path Network includes several walking and cycling routes in and around the town, including the Knockie Path, the Ardblair Trail and the River Ericht Path. The network’s routes are considered easy to moderate and suitable for most age groups and fitness levels. They offer additional ways to get around on foot or by bike alongside the two routes described in detail.
By the River Ericht: mills and views
You can reach Cargill's Leap on foot by following the banks of the River Ericht. A viewing platform at Cargill's Leap offers a view down to Keith Falls. Stand-up paddleboarding is also associated with the River Ericht in Blairgowrie and Rattray, offering a different way to enjoy the area from the riverside paths.
The riverbanks also tell the story of the area’s former industries. During the Industrial Revolution, Blairgowrie and Rattray was a centre of textile production: first flax was processed, then jute and, finally, rayon. There were 16 mills along the banks of the River Ericht; many of the former mills can be seen on a riverside walk. This brings together the route by the water and the history of local production.
Berries and the history of jam
Blairgowrie and Rattray is known as Perthshire’s berry-growing capital and is also called the “Berry Toon”. The town’s jam-making history includes a factory in The Croft: a purpose-built jam factory opened there in 1905, and Adamson's Jam was sold worldwide. You can buy Taystful products at Mitchell's on Blairgowrie High Street. If this is part of your plans, check current availability in advance.
Golf and cultural traditions
Blairgowrie Golf Club has three championship courses. The Rosemount Course was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie and later extended by James Braid. For travellers interested in golf, the design of the courses and the names of notable designers are also part of the town’s appeal.
Other local traditions are linked to specific years: the Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games were first recorded in 1868. The BOOKMARK Book Festival was founded in 2012. The Blairgowrie Jampionships were established in 2011 as a competition to find the world’s best jam maker.
Plan your stay and journey
The route starting points can be a useful reference when planning your stay: the first stage of the Cateran Trail begins in Blairgowrie, and the Knockie circular route starts in the town centre. Consider which of these walks you want to shape your stay, and whether you would also like to set aside time for the River Ericht or local history.
Bus route 57 serves Blairgowrie. If you plan to use this service, check the current timetable before travelling. This will help you coordinate your arrival and departure with your planned hiking days.
Discover more destinations: Monikie, Dykehead, Tannadice, Monifieth, Carnoustie, Arbroath, Kinnaird, Menmuir
For the overview of the wider area: Angus.
