The People, Personalities and Businesses of Crieff and Perthshire

Our shop in Crieff is nestled in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, with so many interesting people, places and businesses that make it a wonderful place to live and visit. Join us as we meet some of the personalities of Perthshire that make it so special.

Iona from our Crieff store was delighted to speak with Jess Macdonald from JJM Later Life Photography, a local photographer, who worked with us and Richmond House in Crieff to create lovely portraits of the care home residents wearing our tartan pieces as part of their Burns Night celebrations.

Jess, thank you for joining us. Tell us what your photography business is all about?

I take photos and videos that celebrate older people. I specialise in multi-generational family photography that focuses on the special relationship between great-grandparents and grandparents, their children and grandchildren. I offer portrait photography for older people, creating images that capture the subject’s unique, authentic self. I also create short films inspired by informal interviews designed to draw out the stories and life experiences that make our older generations so exceptional. In addition to traditional private photo sessions, I work closely with local care homes and senior activity groups.

One of the Richmond House residents in our Glengarry hat - photo credit: JJM Later Life Photography

Can you tell us some of your favourite memories from all the shoots you have done?

One of my favourite recent experiences was being invited into the home of a grandmother who wanted pictures with her grandsons but couldn’t access a traditional photo shoot. This was due to her wearing a nasal cannula and being connected to an oxygen machine at all times. Her two grandsons were of an age where most boys would have little interest in posing for photos, especially in a fairly everyday setting in their Nan’s living room. And yet, with a bit of coaxing they got really involved, abandoning their iPad to hug and kiss their grandmother and make silly faces for each other to get everyone smiling. The love between the boys and their Nan was palpable and an absolute joy to photograph. Both boys were very interested in my camera and after taking it in turns to be behind the lens, declared that they would like to be photographers themselves when they grow up.

What got you into photography?

Photography has been a passion of mine since my parents took us on a family holiday to Alaska when I was seven years old and gave me a plastic film camera shaped like a polar bear. I studied photography at A-Level and have been taking photos both recreationally and professionally ever since. I’ve worked for music labels taking photos at rock concerts and festivals. I’ve worked as an underwater photographer documenting shark-diving trips in South Africa. As a travel writer and photographer I’ve visited six continents and had my work published in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and Condé Nast Traveller. After having two small children and settling in Crieff, I decided it was time to switch from freelancing to running my own business.

My decision to focus on older people was inspired by the close relationship I had with my grandmother. In later life her physical and mental health deteriorated until she was mostly housebound. Her greatest pleasure was time spent with family and she filled every surface of her living room with family photographs. After she was diagnosed with dementia, I saw firsthand the cognitive, emotional and social benefits of looking at and discussing these photos together. When she passed away, those photos became treasured possessions for our family as a memory of her and what she meant to us all. As such, I’m very conscious of how much photographs can mean both to older people and to those they eventually leave behind.

The market is flooded with photographers offering engagement, wedding, newborn and even pet photography. And yet, there are so few people focusing on older generations that there isn’t even a niche or name for it. I think that’s indicative of how little value society as a whole places on the elderly. We so often take older people at face value, forgetting that there is much more to them than their physical or mental handicaps. These are people who lived through momentous historical events, who loved and lost, who went on adventures, took risks, made sacrifices — and shaped all of us who came afterwards. They deserve to be recognised and honoured and to have their stories preserved for generations to come.

One of the Richmond House residents wearing our Stewart Royal flat cap - photo credit: JJM Later Life Photography

Have you got a particular shoot that was most enjoyable to work on?

I recently spent the day at a local care home taking photos of and interviewing the residents. The time I spent with each person revealed one incredible story after another. One man told me about his experiences as an aircraft engineer for RAF Fighter Command during the Second World War. Another told me how he grew up in Ethiopia where his father worked for Haile Selassie. They lived in the emperor’s summer palace. A gorgeous lady who just celebrated her 100th birthday told me about picking up a bomb from the rubble in the Blitz as a souvenir only to realise that it was still ticking. She was beautifully made up for her shoot, red lipstick and all. Not all of the stories I heard were as momentous. One of my favourite moments was sitting down with a couple who had been together for over 60 years and listening to their relationship advice.

Can you give us some more insight into your services and what a typical shoot would look like/involve?

I put a lot of effort into making the people I work with feel comfortable. I believe this is essential in order to achieve natural photographs that really show a person’s character and personality. It’s about creating a connection and having a conversation as much as it is about getting good photographs or film footage. We chat, we laugh and most importantly, we have fun. I particularly enjoy shoots that offer an opportunity to capture interactions with other people, whether that’s family, friends, or much-loved carers.

With vulnerable older people, staying safe and respecting boundaries is paramount. I work closely with carers or family members to make sure that particular physical or mental needs are met. I try to use natural light and settings as much as possible, but also understand that sometimes there are limitations to how much people can move around. I work with whatever conditions the situation offers to ensure that we get the best possible results while also creating a positive, memorable experience for everyone involved.

Could you talk to us a little bit about what you did at Richmond House for their Burns Night celebrations?

I was just there for the photoshoot during the day, but I believe they had a Burns supper in the evening, a visiting piper from Morrison’s Academy and guests to read a traditional Scots poem and the Ode to the Haggis.

One of the Richmond House residents in our Napier Modern sash - photo credit: JJM Later Life Photography

Do you yourself have a particular tartan you like? And any links to Scottish clans?

Although I grew up in England, my gran was Scottish (Dundas clan) and always made us very proud of that part of our heritage. I lived in South Africa for a long time after university and met my husband there. Despite being a born and bred South African, he’s also a Macdonald of Scottish descent, so when we relocated to Scotland we chose the modern Macdonald tartan for our daughter’s school kilt and later for my husband’s dress kilt (both of which we had made at ScotlandShop).

Is there anything particularly Scottish that inspires your work? This could be connections made, the local area, history of area or anywhere in Scotland that inspires you most?

The primary inspiration for my business is my Scottish grandmother, Sheelah. She taught me to appreciate and value older people, and the importance of capturing our time with loved ones in photographs. I’ve also made a wonderful friend, Veronica, a lady in her eighties living in Comrie, who has reconnected me with her generation and reminded me of how many amazing stories are waiting to be heard if you take the time to sit and speak with older people.

Thanks so much for your time, Jess! Check out Jess' JJM Later Life Photography website, connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.

Next up, Iona from our Crieff store has been collaborating with Rebecca Atack from Holeyn Heritage Photography on some of our Outlander inspired photos, clips and blogs. She was delighted to ask Rebecca some questions about her photography business, read on to find out more!

Rebecca at Holeyn Heritage Photography

Rebecca, tell us what your photography business is all about?

At Holeyn Heritage Photography we are a luxury Scottish photography company. Our primary focus is Elopement & Weddings, however having worked as a theatre director for over 15 years I believe I bring my strong creative flare to all my photography projects.

We also work in the Tourism and Business Branding sector. As we all know an image sells even before a spoken word has been uttered. I adore my work championing Scottish companies through business branding imagery and getting to meet so many wonderful people all over Scotland for private tours and photoshoots.

Can tell us some of your favourite memories from all the shoots you have done?

It’s too challenging to select just one, I love that every day is so different, from weddings and elopements to business branding and my photography clients and retreats.

One minute I can be standing on the top of a Munro in the pouring rain capturing an elopement wedding, the next in a distillery capturing the bottling of whisky casks, or leading an empowerment photo workshop in the middle of the Scottish wilderness.

I adore my work with Scottish luxury brands such as Sassenach Spirit, ScotlandShop, National Trust for Scotland, Weebox etc. It’s a joy to put Scotland in the Spotlight and such an added bonus that I’m lucky enough to get to travel the country capturing it.

Rebecca photographing one of our products

What got you into photography?

It’s always been a hobby, something that grew from a school art project, learning to be creative in a different medium and expressing myself in a different way. I felt such joy from capturing and freezing a moment in time, it became such a passion. As I continued my studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland the camera took a back seat, however working in theatre the camera was never far from my hand, helping friends with acting headshots or capturing production shots from the wings of the theatre, then once Covid-19 arrived (and the theatre closed) I had to turn the hobby into the primary overnight. I was so lucky I was able to utilize the time when the world stood still to study, learn and re-train. I began shooting my very first wedding in 2022 and I’ve never looked back.

Have you got a particular shoot that was most enjoyable to work on?

Anything in the Scottish elements with whisky is always fun, you can plan for every possible scenario, set up every angle, even navigating where the sunset or sunrise will be, however you can never plan for the Scottish weather. Sometimes these kinds of shoots are the most fun. It’s impossible to predict and you’ve never seen rain like it before, you’re soaked to the bone but if you capture that moody atmosphere hitting the whisky bottle just right it makes for the perfect “Scottish” shot. I’d take moody, rainy and atmospheric over sunshine any day!

Can you give us some more insight into your services and what a typical shoot would look like/involve?

At Holeyn Heritage we have a variety of offerings, like Wedding Day packages, I love to travel all over Scotland to capture your special day.

Tourism and private photoshoot tours, I can meet you on location to capture your memories of Scotland, it’s the perfect souvenir of your trip having sensational images of you and your loved ones in Scotland.

Branding, got a business or product you wanting to sell? Let Holeyn Heritage Photography tell your story and capture sensational imagery for your target market.

Also, this year we are running an all-women empowerment photography retreat, you get to be my muse and frolic in castle ruins, run through heather glens and romantics your life for the weekend. It's such fun working with a community of women supporting each other and creating memories. Photography retreat days are 5/6/7 November 2026 at Meikleour Estate, in the heart of Perthshire.

Thanks for your time, Rebecca! Find Holeyn Heritage Photography's website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram here.

Next up is Kona from Crieff Cloverleaf who loves exploring Perthshire and the rest of Scotland on her...motorbike! Written in her own words, read on to find what Crieff Cloverleaf is and how Crieff resident Kona started it up.

"What do you think of when you think of Crieff?

If you ask the average person this question, you'll get a range of associations. "Stunning countryside", one person might say, or "fantastic places to eat and drink". Another might talk about our "proper traditional Scottish shops", or our "adventurous outdoor activities", or our "relaxed holiday vibe".

If you ask a motorcyclist, you'll probably get a different answer. "Crieff? Oh, the Crieff Cloverleaf, of course!"

MEET THE CRIEFF CLOVERLEAF

"The friendly community of "touring motorcyclists" are inveterate travellers, always looking to discover new riding routes in epic surroundings (and to get a hearty and convivial dinner afterwards!).

Scotland’s incredible landscapes and exceptional roads already make it a must-ride destination for motorcyclists from all over the world, and the Crieff Cloverleaf is helping riders discover more than just the North Coast 500 and the usual tourist hotspots.

The Crieff Cloverleaf is a set of four spectacular all-day motorcycle touring routes, especially designed for an unforgettable biking holiday. Each route starts and ends here in Crieff, so riders can enjoy all four routes in turn, and still come back to the same bed each night.

Covering over 870 miles to the north, south, west and east of Crieff, the routes take in some of Scotland's most-loved biking roads and some hidden gems too. From the Cairngorms to the Borders, the West Coast mountains to the seascapes of the east, riders discover jaw-dropping landscapes while enjoying a great mix of sweeping A-roads, meandering country byways and adventurous single track."

MEET THE MAKER

The Crieff Cloverleaf is the brainchild of long-time Crieff resident and ardent motorcyclist Kona Andrews Macphee, ably supported by her husband Patrick. We asked Kona to tell us how the Cloverleaf routes came about.

"I love riding my motorbike, I love wild scenery and I love maps (I know, what a nerd!) These passions have all come together in the Crieff Cloverleaf project, but the thing that really got it started was the 2020 pandemic.

After the initial lockdown in early 2020, there was a phase of loosening restrictions - first of all, a period of visits to places within your own county, and then a period where you were allowed to cross county boundaries but still expected to come home at the end of the day.

Feeling as stir crazy as everyone else, I took full advantage of this relaxation of the rules. I started heading out on full-day solo motorbike rides, planning big loops that would take about 6 hours of riding, and joining together some existing favourite roads and some new exploration. When I arrived home at the end of each day, my husband would laugh at me, because I couldn't stop grinning. (As the old joke goes - "How do you tell a happy motorcyclist? By the flies in her teeth.")

These post-Covid bike adventures really brought it home to me how astonishingly well-placed Crieff is for motorcycling holidays. In a day's loop of riding in any compass direction from here, you can encounter some really thrilling roads and an amazing variety of scenery.(Scotland is so compact, and the landscapes change so radically in different directions!) Once I realised this, it was a small step to decide to share some carefully-developed routes with other riders, while simultaneously trying to support the town and the surrounding area in its post-Covid economic recovery.

Fortunately, as an IT professional, I was able to put the whole thing together myself fairly quickly. The brand new Crieff Cloverleaf website launched on January 1st 2021, and since then the project has gone from strength to strength. The rider feedback (which can be sampled in"What Bikers Are Saying" in the Reviews section of the website) has been simply incredible. I'm so delighted that other enthusiasts are enjoying our amazing roads and scenery as much as I do!

The Crieff Cloverleaf is repaying me in so many other ways too. For example, I met some visiting riders and ended up going motorbike camping with them in the Hebrides, and then motorcycle adventuring with them in Nepal! Equally unexpectedly, our local tartan design expert, Brian Wilton, donated a Crieff Cloverleaf Tartan design which is now officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans - how cool is that?Similarly, because I'm (ahem) recognisable due to my green hair, at motorcycling events I often now get people coming to say hi and ask about the Cloverleaf, or to tell me how much they've enjoyed riding it. It's great!

Another fun side is our Crieff Cloverleaf Gear Shop with our own unique merchandise range, including designs featuring our Tartan and also our very endearing cartoon Cloverleaf Coo (skilfully drawn by my husband Patrick.) The eight-year-old in me loves packaging up all of these colourful goodies to display in my very own shop! I'm super grateful to ScotlandShop for hosting our Little Gear Shop right on the High Street. It's wonderful to feel that we're all working together in support of the town and its greatly valued visitors."

Dee and Isobelle on our Crieff store's Tartan Throne

Tucked away in the beautiful Aberfeldy area of Perthshire, five local musicians came together through a shared love of music sessions, cowboy hats, and a healthy sense of humour and The Tartan Cowboys were born.

The band is made up of Dee, Isobelle, Keith, Jamie and James, each bringing their own musical background, personality and style into the mix. What started as casual local music sessions soon became something much bigger when the group realised their voices blended surprisingly well together.

“We started meeting up outwith the sessions just for a sing-song and quickly thought… maybe we should actually become a band!”

Blending Scottish, country and folk-inspired music, The Tartan Cowboys have built a reputation for warm harmonies, lively performances and a genuine love for making music together. Their sets feature everything from well-loved classics to original songs written by band member Isobelle, whose songwriting has become a special part of the group’s sound.

So… where did the name come from?

The story behind the name is as entertaining as the band themselves.

The group had jokingly started referring to themselves as “cowboys” thanks to their love of country music and cowboy hats but also because, in their own words, they “had absolutely no idea what they were doing” when they first started out. A nod to the phrase cowboy builders, they embraced the chaos and ran with it.

Then came the finishing touch from Dee’s daughter, who simply said:

“You all love tartan and cowboy hats, it’s easy… The Tartan Cowboys!”

And the name stuck.

Music, friendship and a local home

The band regularly practise at the Cowboy and Parrot, which has become something of a home base for the group. From there, they’ve gone on to host gigs across the local area and beyond, recently travelling to the stunning Isle of Skye for performances.

Five members, five personalities, one sound

Each member of The Tartan Cowboys brings something different to the stage.

• Dee helps drive the heart and soul of the band’s harmonies.

• Isobelle plays guitar during her duo performances with Dee and is also an accomplished songwriter whose original material regularly features in the band’s sets. (When James is there, she leaves the guitar duties to him!)

• Keith plays both mandolin and guitar, adding rich folk textures to the music.

• Jamie brings a distinctive sound with the mouth organ.

• James completes the lineup with his own musical flair and stage presence.

Together, they represent a mix of backgrounds and walks of life, united through music, friendship and a shared enjoyment of performing.

Find The Tartan Cowboys on Instagram here and on Facebook here.

Just outside Auchterarder in Perthshire, Penny Philpot has transformed one of the barns on her family farm into the beautiful and rustic wedding venue, Wed in a Shed.

Originally used as a rental space while Penny worked full time, everything changed after her son’s wedding at the shed in 2020. 

Inspired by the relaxed atmosphere and charm of the space, Penny found her true calling creating a warm, welcoming venue where couples could celebrate their special day in a laid-back countryside setting.

What started with simply painting the outside of the barn soon grew into a stunning open venue, complete with a ceremony room and a large back space for caterers. Today, the venue hosts weddings and charity events for up to 150 guests.

We recently visited this incredible space to add some of our tartan goodies, and it was amazing to see Penny’s vision brought to life. 

A truly special Perthshire wedding venue full of character, charm, and heart. 

Find Wed in a Shed's website here, and on Instagram here and Facebook here.

Tucked away among the wooded landscapes of Perthshire, just a few miles south east of Dunkeld, Murthly Castle is one of Scotland's hidden historic treasures. Unlike the country's more famous fortresses, Murthly offers something quieter and, in many ways, more special, a direct connection to Scotland's medieval clans, religious heritage, and centuries of change.

Murthly Castle

Behind its walls lies a story that stretches from royal hunting grounds and powerful clan chiefs to Gothic Revival architecture and one of Scotland's most remarkable private chapels.

A Castle with Medieval Roots

The origins of Murthly Castle can be traced back to the fifteenth century, although local tradition suggests the site may have been important much earlier. Some accounts link the area to a royal hunting lodge used during the reign of King David I in the twelfth century.

The oldest surviving parts of the castle date from around 1400–1450, when fortified tower houses served as both homes and symbols of power for Scotland's noble families. Unlike many castles that eventually fell into ruin, Murthly continued to evolve over the centuries, creating a fascinating record of nearly five hundred years of architectural change.

Even more remarkably, the estate remains in private hands today and is still home to descendants of the family who have shaped its history for generations.

Inside Murthly Castle

The Stewart Connection

For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of Murthly is its connection to Clan Stewart, one of Scotland's most influential families.

The Stewarts of Grantully acquired the estate in the early seventeenth century, and Murthly has remained associated with the family for more than four hundred years. The present owners descend from this line, making it one of the enduring Stewart seats in Scotland.

The Stewart name is woven throughout Scottish history. Originally the hereditary High Stewards of Scotland, the family rose to the throne in 1371 with King Robert II. From then on, Stewart monarchs, including Robert III, James IV, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VI, helped shape the future of Scotland and, eventually, Britain itself.

A Castle That Almost Disappeared

One of the more surprising chapters in Murthly's story came during the nineteenth century. Sir John Drummond Stewart commissioned architect James Gillespie Graham to design a grand new mansion intended to replace the medieval castle.

The project reflected the ambition and wealth of the era, but it was never fully completed. The unfinished mansion stood for more than a century before being demolished in 1949. As a result, the medieval castle survived and remains the true heart of the estate today.

The Remarkable Chapel of St Anthony the Eremite

The Chapel of St Anthony of Eremite

Perhaps the most impressive feature of Murthly isn't the castle itself but the nearby Chapel of St Anthony the Eremite.

Combining an earlier sixteenth-century structure with a dramatic Gothic Revival extension, the chapel was designed by James Gillespie Graham with assistance from the young Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, who would later become one of Britain's most celebrated Gothic architects.

The chapel also tells an important story about Scotland's religious history. While the country became predominantly Protestant after the Reformation, some noble families retained strong Catholic connections. Murthly's beautifully preserved chapel stands as a reminder of those complex religious traditions that continued long after the sixteenth century.

Inside the Chapel

A Reflection of Scotland's History

What makes Murthly so interesting is how closely its story mirrors Scotland's own.

Situated in Perthshire, historically a crossroads between Highland and Lowland Scotland, the estate has witnessed centuries of royal influence, clan rivalries, religious change, and social transformation. Nearby Dunkeld was an important ecclesiastical centre, while the River Tay connected the Highlands with the rest of the kingdom.

Even the estate's gardens, avenues, and woodland reflect the changing tastes of Scotland's landowners over the centuries, adding another layer to its rich history.

A Living Piece of Clan Heritage

Inside Murthly Castle

Unlike many historic castles that survive only as ruins, Murthly remains a living estate. That continuity gives it a rare authenticity and makes it feel less like a museum and more like a place where Scotland's past is still present.

For anyone interested in Scottish genealogy, clan history, or discovering lesser-known corners of Perthshire, Murthly Castle is a fascinating place to explore. It may not have the fame of Edinburgh or Stirling Castle, but what it offers is something equally valuable: a genuine connection to the people, traditions, and stories that helped shape Scotland.

Today, the ancient castle, woodland estate, and beautiful Chapel of St Anthony the Eremite also provide a unique setting for weddings and celebrations. Few venues can offer the chance to mark such an important occasion in a place so closely connected to Clan Stewart, Perthshire's noble families, and centuries of Scottish history.