Discover and Explore Scotland

The Picturesque Town of Crieff

The second largest town in Perthshire, Crieff is situated on the southern edge of the Scottish Highlands. This means that you can enjoy stunning views combined with warm hospitality and great Scottish charm. Crieff is situated near the River Earn and is overshadowed by a beautifully wooded hill. The town itself is quite pretty and filled with interesting tourist attractions such as the oldest distillery in Scotland, the Glenturret Distillery and a Victorian spa called the Crieff Hydro which was one of the main reasons that Crieff enjoyed popularity as a holiday resort town in Victorian times. At the center of the town you will find James Square complete with a photo-worthy fountain and the surrounding area is perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll.

It would seem that Crieff has been in existence since about the 12th Century though it was only granted a charter in 1218. The name ‘Crieff’ is derived from the Gaelic word ‘crabh’ which means ‘among the trees’ – a fitting name for this picturesque town. It wasn’t long before the settlement started to grow and by 1444, Crieff was home to a profitable mill. About 50 years later Sir John Drummond got license to built Drummond Castle just 4 kilometers south of Crieff. This was the start of a local power-play by the more wealthy families in the area which resulted in a number of families being burnt to death. Around 1660, the first bridge was built over the River Earn allowing easy access to Dunblane. This lead to the town’s increased importance and before long Crieff was home to one of the most important cattle markets in the country. Crieff was the sight of many more historical events but often the most popular stories are those containing the legendary Rob Roy Macgregor who often visited Crieff to sell cattle.

Today Crieff has a population of nearly 6000 people and it continues to be a popular holiday destination. Macrosty Park, which was opened in 1902, is considered to be one of the most picturesque parks in Scotland filled with many excellent mature tree specimens. The Victorian bandstand in the park is often used to host brass band concerts during the warmer months while picnic tables and play areas make the park the perfect place for family recreation. So give Crieff a try and discover one of Perthshire’s most pretty towns.