Perthshire

Crieff

The market town of Strathearn, wrapped around the slopes of the Knock of Crieff above the River Earn, once the great cattle tryst of the Highland drovers.

Welcome

Crieff climbs the southern slopes of the Knock of Crieff above the River Earn, the capital of Strathearn and a town that has always stood where the Lowlands meet the Highlands.

Its High Street follows the curve of the hill, with steep streets running up and down from it, and a fountain stands in its square among the hanging baskets.

Three centuries ago it was one of the great meeting places of Scotland. By 1700, vast herds of Highland cattle from across the north and west were being driven along the drove roads to its trysts, the cattle fairs where they were sold on to the south, and each October a walking festival still remembers the drovers. The town was attacked by the Jacobites in 1716 and again in 1745.

Today Crieff is a busy country town. Glenturret, licensed in 1775, is on its edge, the grand Crieff Hydro sprawls over the hill above, and paths lead up through the woods of the Knock for views over Strathearn.

Close byThe Strathearn GalleryA gallery of contemporary Scottish painting, ceramics, glass and jewellery on West High Street in Crieff, founded in 1994.1 min by roadSee it

Gallery interior with framed artwork on white walls and ceramics on plinths

Before you go

The town can be walked at any time.

The High Street runs along the hillside, the Knock of Crieff rises above it, and Glenturret, licensed in 1775, is on the edge of town.

Where: Strathearn, 18 miles west of Perth on the A85.
To see: The High Street and James Square, the Knock of Crieff, Glenturret Distillery, the Crieff Hydro.

Where it is

In Strathearn, where the Lowlands meet the Highlands, 18 miles west of Perth.

Close byCrieff and Strathearn.