Crieff: Your Next Scottish Destination

In March 2024 we welcomed House of Tartan in Crieff to the ScotlandShop family, and we thought it was a good opportunity to share with you all the fantastic things there are to see and do, and places to stay, in this beautiful area in the middle of Scotland. Make Crieff in Perthshire your next Scottish destination!

Let's start with Food and Drink, because why not? Here in the office it's what we talk about all the time, and I am pleased to say Crieff is known for it.

For the very best in Scotch pies, oatcakes and shortbread you must pop in to Campbell's on King Street in Crieff. The story began in 1830 when Donald Campbell opened a small bakery in nearby Callander, and following in his footsteps, his great grandson, Bob, went on to open the premises in Crieff in 1929 which remain today. 190 years of baking later it is no wonder everything tastes so good. Today the seventh generation Iain, bakes small batches of breads, biscuits, cakes and pies by hand on the premises using only the very finest ingredients. And the best bit is that you can join Iain and his daughter to learn the tricks of the trade, and make Scottish classics such as oatcakes, Selkirk Bannock and shortbread. Contact them to find out more and book yourself in.

The Crieff Food Co.

Awarded UK Food Hall of the Year 2020 at the Farm Shop and Deli Awards, The Crieff Food Co. is more than just a Food Hall. It also houses The Crieff Café, Gift Shop and has an Online Shop. The perfect spot to buy locally sourced products including everyday essentials, treats and everything in between.

In the café, homemade and locally sourced produce from Perthshire and Central Highlands is served for breakfast and lunch, alongside coffee, tea and cakes. You can find a selection of local gifts, kitchenware, homeware, books, cards and gift wrap in the gift shop, including seasonal offerings. If you love authentic local produce and products, this is the place to find them.

Find out more on The Crieff Food co. website.

Glenturret Distillery by Visit Scotland / Kenny Lam

On the edge of Crieff you will find Scotland’s oldest Working Distillery, The Glenturret Distillery. The distillery is featured in records from as far back as 1763. Originally named Thurot Distillery, Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre was the first owner.

The single malt whisky is made using traditional methods: the distillation process is very slow, done in hand-beaten copper stills in small batches with each batch having a slightly different taste.

This is more than just making whisky, it is an old craft that has been handed down over centuries. You can book a Distillery tour and find out about its history, heritage and traditional ways of making single malt whisky, and there’s even a bar and restaurant on site, the two-star Michelin restaurant, The Glenturret Lalique.

If you love your whisky, it is not to be missed.

Check out The Glenturret Distillery website for more information. Or you can read our blog piece here.

The Glenturret Distillery

The story goes that Miss Gordon married Mr Durward and in 1925 together they formed the delicious sweetie shop Gordon & Durward that sits on the High Street in Crieff. In 1947 the shop was then sold to George Anderson (affectionately known as Sweetie Geordie) and his wife Daisy, who passed it on to their son John and his wife Pamela. When they retired in 1989 the Donaldson's took over. Quite a change in industry as they used to own the Garage in Crieff and Donaldson's Oil, but the Graham and Caroline clearly have a talent for creating temptations for those with a sweet tooth and they have taken the business to new heights with Gordon & Durward favourites now found all over Scotland. Graham shared that the secret is their use of the very best of ingredients and where fudge is concerned they still use traditional Copper Boilers which gives it that moist, sweet, buttery flavour and amazing melt in the mouth texture that we all love. Of course when with opening the shop in Crieff we have also fallen in love with these sweet treats and you can find the famous Macaroon and Fudge in our shops in Scotland and the US. 

Something Gordon & Durward are very famous for is their old fashioned sugar mice and at Christmas there is a fantastic tradition in Crieff where all the shops take pride in hiding a pink sugar mouse in store and there is a competition to find them all. Children of all ages join in filling in their forms as they spot the mice, crowding round windows looking for them most weekends and evenings in December. The money raised from this competition goes to MacRosty park in Crieff or another charity in the town. 

Who knows which tartan our pink mouse will prefer? Something to co-ordinate in Ailsa Pink or Bruce of Kinnaird perhaps? Or a more subtle Gordon Red Ancient which has a lovely pink stripe and also ties in nicely with the brand name?

The Marvellous Macaroon from Gordon & Durward that we stock in our shops!

Launched in 2024, Crieff Food Fest is a Crieff Community Council Initiative that will hopefully become an annual event. It ran from Monday 7th October to Sunday 13th October, and it was a week of culinary delights, celebrating everything Crieff has to offer in terms of food, beverage and Highland hospitality. 

We were involved in the Food Fest trail, did you come and see us?!

There are some fabulous places to stay in and near Crieff, which you may have already heard of!

Crieff Hydro by Crieff Succeeds / Damian Shields

Look no further for the perfect location with outdoor activities on tap for all the family. Crieff Hydro is an award winning Spa Hotel and Resort, and a popular spot for visitors and events in the Perthshire area. You can book in for treatments, use their leisure facilities including gym, swimming pool and tennis courts, and immerse yourself in the Victorian baths.

As well as the hotel, you can book a self catering lodge and enjoy your meal at the restaurants on site.

Day passes are available if you fancy an adventure, giving you access to activities at Action Glen, including Archery, Fishing, Gin and Whisky Tastings, Adventures for Kids, golf at Crieff Golf club and so much more.

Discover more on Crieff Hydro's website.

Gleneagles Hotel

Who hasn't heard of Gleneagles, especially if you're into golf? Gleneagles offers much more than golf you'd be happy to know (if golf isn't your thing!) and that includes accommodation, a spa, and, naturally, a tempting selection of food and drink. But do you know the history of Gleneagles? Donald Matheson, General Manager of the Caledonian Railway Co., was on holiday in Perthshire and decided he would like to build "a Georgian Hotel or country house, built in the style of a palace, to attract and cater for the British travelling class" near Crieff junction (renamed Gleneagles Station in 1912 and still in use today). Construction began in 1912 however the build took until 1924 due to work being suspended during the war, but on the official opening the national press hailed it as “The 8th Wonder of the World,” “The Playground of the Gods,” “the Switzerland of Scotland,” and “the Scottish Palace in the Middle of the Moor.”

As when it opened you, today you are spoilt for choice, you can stay in the luxury 5 star hotel and choose from ten restaurants and bars to satisfy your belly, one of which is the Andrew Fairlie, a two-star Michelin restaurant inspired by French cuisine. Pamper yourself at the spa with a mud and steam ritual after spending time in the pool and gym.

And if you still have energy after all of that, Gleneagles offers activities like fishing, shooting and riding in the Scottish outdoors. And of course, golf! I'll come to that in the Golf section.

Discover everything on offer by visiting the Gleneagles website.

Monzie Estate

Monzie Estate (pronounced Mon-ee, see below for why) is home to six unique holiday cottages, a working farm, a joinery, and a fascinating 1950s hydro scheme. The estate also boasts Monzie Castle, the seat of the Crichton Clan chief, along with its own stone circle and standing stone. It is steeped in history and you can even stay in your very own mini castle, East Gatehouse Lodge!

Each holiday cottage has been beautifully refurbished to highlight its individual features. The Mill House is perfect for larger groups, or for couples looking for a romantic break with a hot tub under the stars, choose Brae Cottage. Gardener’s Cottage has modern luxuries such as underfloor heating and a bespoke Monzie Joinery kitchen, combined with an enchantingly peaceful atmosphere that transports you back in time, or Burnside Cottage, renovated in 2022, sleeps 2 and offers a cosy, comfortable, and stylish escape. Best of all guests on the estate can take advantage of a tour of Monzie Castle and the hydro. Visit the Monzie website to discover more about the cottages and the activities on the estate. 

While exploring Monzie Estate we realised the pronunciation is interesting (ie we were pronouncing it incorrectly), and this then led to Katie from our Crieff store sharing yet more of her historical knowledge, so here we go with the history of the letter yogh or yoch which looks like this Ȝ.

The letter yogh or yoch sounds like a y (or like the modern usage of gh, e.g. knight) and was used in both Scotland and England during the High and Late Medieval period, by Inglis & middle Scots and middle English speakers, both languages of Germanic origin. The yogh fell out of use first in England due to the natural changes in the the English language but in the Scots language was retained until later.

The rise of the printing press in Scotland in the early modern period as well as anglicisation of the Scots language meant that the letter fell out of favour from 1500 although it was still used towards the 17th century.

Printing presses often did not have Ȝ so a Z was used instead (although not always) for its similarity to the letter. As time passed gradually people forgot the yogh and whilst oftentimes the pronunciation was retained, the spelling changed.

The yogh is found in surnames like Menzies/ MenȜies and MacKenzie/ MacKenȜie (in the original Gaelic, MacCoinneach, phonetically quite similar). It is also still found in place-names in and around Crieff such as Monzie and Monzievaird, Culzean, Dalzell, and Ben Chonzie.

It is interesting to note that many of these names are of Gaelic origin with later Scots spelling, highlighting the malleability of language and culture in Scotland; as the yogh could be introduced in areas where there was bilingualism/ multiple languages in use (see Monzie) or where Gaelic had receded entirely (see Dalzell/ Dalziel).

History lesson over and back to fabulous places to stay:

Culdees Castle Glamping Cabin

Fancy a bit of Glamping? Culdees Castle Estate offer Glamping luxury in their cabins, which have been designed to blend in with their natural surroundings and constructed with natural materials. You may know about Culdees from Channel4's Renovation Nation TV Show!

Built in 2019 to fundraise for the Culdees Castle's renovation, each cabin, or 'lodge', has its own name and distinct interior personality with hot tubs, fire pits and BBQs for use during your stay. The cabins are named after the four custodians who have taken care of the Castle so far: Drummond Lodge, Spiers Lodge, Majors Lodge and Horton Lodge. A place to unwind in complete privacy for up to two adults and no children sounds like bliss to us!

For more details on their Glamping experience, visit the Culdees Castle Estate website here.

Culdees Castle Glamping Cabin - Inside Horton Lodge

Not far from Crieff on the A85 is Comrie Croft, a certified B-Corp that is owned by fifty local people, employees, family and friends. It not only provides accommodation, Comrie Croft also offers a range of activities including mountain biking trails, a farm shop and tea garden and a venue for weddings. 

Comrie Croft's farmstead

You can stay in the Eco-Lodge, which is a hostel style Scottish farmstead with a touch of luxury. Or if you want to get closer to nature, choose one of their camping areas suitable for tents and campervans. If you fancy some glamping, try their handcrafted Nordic Kata tents for a cosy retreat in the birchwoods. 

If you're into mountain biking then you'll be pleased to know Comrie Croft has been hosting a competition called Clans @ The Croft. In 2024, it was the UK's first Enduro you could enter with your friends to compete as a team of three (aka Clan). For more info take a look at their website here. Good luck and let us know how you get on if you ever take part!

Comrie Croft bike trails

Murrayshall Hotel - photo credit: Murrayshall Country Estate

Murrayshall Country Estate is a 17th-century estate set in the Perthshire countryside near Scone and only a few miles from Perth. The original house was built in 1664 by Andrew Murray of the historic Clan Murray, one of Scotland’s most influential noble families (find out more about Clan Murray here). Designed as a grand country residence, it reflected the status and ambition of the Murray name in Perthshire.

In the late 18th century, the estate became associated with Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, a distinguished military leader who served with the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. The house has evolved over the centuries with the different owners adding and altering it to increase its stature but making sure it never lost its Scottish character. 

Inside the hotel - photo credit: Murrayshall Country Estate

During the 1970s, the estate entered a new chapter when it was converted into a country house hotel. Today, there is a lovely blend of the original features alongside its contemporary interiors. With woodland walks, parkland golf and access to the nearby River Tay, Murrayshall is a great place for a retreat or as a wedding venue.

It’s only 18 miles (approximately 30 minutes by car) from Crieff, so perfect for popping to our Crieff store and everything the town offers.

Discover more on the Murrayshall Country Estate website here.

Golf at Murrayshall - photo credit: Murrayshall Country Estate

St Fillans, Loch Earn, and Drummond Arms Hotel by Visit Scotland / Paul Tomkins

The area around Crieff is fantastic if you love nature and the outdoors. From adrenaline pumping activities to quiet strolls through the forests, there is something for everyone.

From Crieff there is easy access to the northern part of the beautiful Trossachs National Park. On the eastern edge lies Loch Earn, a perfect spot for water sports. If that hasn't tired you out, there are also wonderful hikes in the area. Head up the hills on the northern side to St Fillans Viewpoint, a circular walk that requires a bit of effort and walking shoes. But well worth the climb as the views are stunning.

Other places I recommend visiting, as they're not too far from Crieff, are The Hermitage in the Tay Forest Park, the famous Birnam Oak in Dunkeld (as mentioned in Shakespeare’s Macbeth) and Birnam Arts, a centre that celebrates Beatrix Potter as she spent her childhood summers in the area.

And if you fancy having a go at “Munro bagging” (climbing one of Scotland’s mountains classified as being 3,000 ft or over) then there are a few to choose from, including Schiehallion, Ben Chonzie and Ben Vorlich.

Osprey, sometimes nicknamed the Fisher King

For those of you who'd love some wildlife spotting, then I'd highly recommend the following hot spots:

Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve to see the Ospreys in Spring and Summer when they have returned from Africa to nest and rear their young. There is a webcam at their nest, but there is also a bird hide next to the centre, so make sure you bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of these 'Fisher Kings'.

If you time it right in Autumn, you can see salmon leaping up the Black Linn Falls along The Hermitage Woodland Walk (a National Trust site).

Loch Leven RSPB nature reserve is great for birdwatching: I have seen Ospreys here, as well as Whooper swans, buzzards, and kingfishers to name a few. You can also take in the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, 13 miles around the loch, either on foot or on your bike. Keep your eyes peeled as you may spot a red squirrel on your explorations!

 

Maybe Art & Culture is more your thing than the outdoors, and I am pleased to share you won't be disappointed to find it in and around Crieff.

Crieff & Strathearn Museum

Set to open to the public from Easter, Crieff and Strathearn Museum is located in the Old Town Hall after support from the community for a centre to share the history of Strathearn. Described as a Small Museum with a Big Story:  

"We want to make an inspiring venue to entertain and to educate, with displays, events, virtual and augmented reality, performances, story-telling, re-enactments, tours and films — to make a truly valuable community resource." - Crieff & Strathearn Museum website

At the same time the Old Town Hall, which has been vacant, is being used again and the museum will breathe life into this historic building. This project is being run by volunteers and you can support the charity by becoming a Member.

Find out more on the Crieff & Strathearn Museum website here.

Drummond Castle Gardens

Just south of Crieff are the beautiful Drummond Castle Gardens, recently made famous by a very special event: the Christian Dior Fashion Show! The famous fashion house revealed their Cruise Collection for 2025. Sadly, you probably have to be prominent in the fashion world to have had an invite, but we were excited about it nonetheless (we are still waiting for ours...).

Outlander fans will recognise these gardens as they were used as a stand in for the Versailles' gardens in the series (season 2 if you'd like to know!). The gardens were also featured in the 1995 film, Rob Roy, with Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange and Brian Cox.

In 2024, only the Gardens will be open to the public (from 10th June until 31st October), the castle itself remains closed. The Gardens are an impressive sight, beautifully manicured with lots to explore. There is even a short woodland walk, which you can get to from the Gardens. Dogs are welcome, too!

Visit Drummond Castle Gardens' website here.

Inside Innerpeffray Library by sobolevnrm

Established in 1680, the library of Innerpeffray was the first free public lending library in Scotland, and the brainchild of David Drummond, 3rd Lord of Madertie. His ethos that the books could be taken home to read was very radical at the time, and the most precious books in the library are the handwritten "Borrower's Registers" which list every person who borrowed a book. If you know someone who did then these registers have now been digitised and you can request information about this! Open from Spring to end of October, you can visit the library and tours are available, as well as an outdoors Heritage Trail which takes you to the River Earn.

In the collection are books from 1476 to 2001, and you can even see Robert Burns' handwriting! If you love the smell of old books, being among all those words that your ancestors may have written or read, being transported back in time, then you'll be in your element here.

Find out more about the Library of Innerpeffray and check opening hours on their website.

Scone Palace by PaulT (Gunther Tschuch)

Near Perth, the historic Scone Palace is home to the Earls of Mansfield and is “the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings and the original home of the Stone of Scone”, an old symbol of Scottish kingdom and monarchy also known as the Stone of Destiny.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

There are also gardens, a coffee shop and restaurant and food shop on the grounds of the Palace open to the public, as well as plenty of events throughout the year. You can even stay at Scone Palace in luxury 5-star accommodation.

Dogs are welcome and they might like to know about a yearly event, Paws at the Palace, which takes place in September. A fun day out for dogs with games, parades, classes and demonstrations. I imagine their tails are already wagging at the sound of this! We are looking forward to being part of the Scottish Game Fair held in the grounds in July.

For more information about Scone Palace visit their website.

Strathearn Gallery

Established in 1994, Strathearn Gallery is a well-known contemporary art gallery in Crieff showcasing sought-after Scottish artists including Sarah Carrington, Dominic Cullen, and Helen Glassford.

Exhibitions are on throughout the year. Take home a piece of Scottish art to mark your visit and remind you of our beautiful country and the wonderful time spent here.

Visit Strathearn Gallery's website.

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. 

Of course there has to be a section about golf, it's Scotland after all! Check out our tartan golf range and be the talk of the course while you're there.

Credit: Crieff Golf Club

On the outskirts of Crieff as you enter from Perth is Crieff Golf Club, one of the best inland golf courses as rated by Golf World magazine. There are two courses to choose from, the 18-hole Ferntower and the 9-hole Dornock course.

Credit: Crieff Golf Club

With stunning views of Perthshire and an in-house restaurant, Crieff Golf Club would be a fantastic destination for any golf enthusiast.

Visit Crieff Golf Club website here.

Credit: Crieff Golf Club

Golf at Gleneagles

Probably one of the most well-known names in the world of golf, Gleneagles played host to The Ryder Cup and has three of the best golf courses in Scotland.

Not just for the professionals, beginners can also play at Gleneagles. Featuring a clubhouse and practice facilities, Gleneagles has a 9-hole course as well as its three championship golf courses. You can even learn to play at the PGA National Golf Academy, housed at Gleneagles and open to anyone visiting.

For more details, visit their website.

Crieff Highland Gathering in 2023

Regarded as one of the premier games in Scotland, Crieff Highland Gathering takes place every year at Market Park in Crieff on a Sunday in the middle of August. We are very excited to be a part of this historic, annual event now that we have joined the local community with our new Crieff shop. As well as sponsoring the Games we will be providing the tartan for the Chieftain and of course our tent full of beautiful tartan will be there on the banking overlooking the athletics field.

With a full programme of traditional competitions, there will also be Piping performances, a salute to the Chieftain and the Massed Pipe Bands finale. Traditional music will be played in the Aldi Arena area of the Park. We hope to see you there!

For more information, head to the website.

The Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club 2025 International Rally in Crieff brought together enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate these classic British cars. Owners had the chance to display their vehicles, take part in scenic drives, and connect with fellow members.

Daimler & Lanchester Owners Club

Over a few days in June guests experienced concours d’elegance, technical discussions, and had opportunities to learn more about Daimler and Lanchester history, not to mention, a traditional Scottish Carvery and Ceilidh, with the Haggis being piped in by their resident Bagpiper. Crieff’s central location and beautiful surroundings made it a great setting for the rally, providing excellent facilities for participants.

Thompson Camel Tartan Seats

If you are looking to redesign the interior of your motor for any upcoming rallies, then head to our Upholstery Page to find out more.

Whether you're a long-time member or new to the club, the rally promised a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy classic motoring, meet like-minded enthusiasts, and appreciate some truly impressive vehicles.

To discover more about the event, head to the website.

Seeing as we love tartan, we have to mention the tartans associated with Crieff!

Crieff Ancient Tartan

Crieff has its own tartan, the Crieff ancient tartan! This red, orange, green and brown tartan can be traced back to records kept by Wilsons of Bannockburn in 1793.

The National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh have a copy of the tartan design's records, as does the Scottish Tartans Society archive along with other materials related to this old tartan.

Strathearn Modern Kilt

As capital of Strathearn, Crieff is also connected to the Strathearn district tartan.

Kate Middleton wore the tartan at the late Queen's Jubilee River Pageant, and it has been sought after ever since.

The father of Queen Victoria H.R.H. Edward, Duke of Kent, who was also Duke of Strathearn, was Colonel of the Royal Scots Regiment 1801-1821 and the story goes he sent a sample of the tartan to Wilsons of Bannockburn in order to 'dress the gallant corps'.

The Comrie Pipe Band has also adopted the Strathearn tartan.

Our MD, Anna, has strong memories of the Christmas shop being the highlight of Crieff when she visited the town in her younger years. At that time the Nutcracker was on the high street and it has now expanded to much larger premises down on the road into Crieff from Muthill, you can't miss it. So now we have established that Crieff is the epi-centre of Christmas we wanted to share all the other fabulous things that go on in December to make us feel festive and give you an excuse for a visit. The fun kicks off with a Christmas Market full of local crafts and delicious foodie treats, complete with Santa's grotto and at the end of the day when one of the children from the local primary school will have the honour of switching on the Christmas lights in James Square. 

Slight diversion here, in James Square you will find the Murray Fountain, constructed by Glaswegian sculptor, William Mossman and installed in 1894. The inscription shares that it was "Erected by the inhabitants of the burgh of Crieff - a recognition of the many benefits received from the Murrays of Ochtertyre. More on the Murray Clan here. On our first visit we took a few snaps of the Fountain.

The Murray Fountain in Crieff

Back to Christmas and Santa's Post Office is absolutely our favourite feature of Christmas in Crieff. After the Christmas Market, Santa leaves James Square and heads up to his Post Office at the Old Town Hall to officially open it up for business. Children (and adults!) come from far and wide to this Victorian recreation to post their letters to Santa, we will be popping in with ours very soon! 

The very first film festival will take place in Crieff in 2025 with the theme "Local Heroes", celebrating the work of two of Crieff's best known actors Ewan McGregor and Denis Lawson, both of whom grew up in the town and enjoyed films in Crieff’s local cinema. The festival opens on Friday 8th August with Local Hero – starring Denis Lawson which will be screened in the Crieff Hydro, and Star Wars Episode VI - also starring Denis Lawson, in Strathearn Arts. And closes on Sunday the 10th August with Cinema Paradiso, a film about the joy of a local cinema, in Crieff Hydro and with Star Wars Episode 1.- starring Ewan McGregor in Strathearn Arts. Local group Creative Crieff is behind the festival and as part of their community outreach, they are working with David Barass to give young people the opportunity to ‘Make a Film in a Day’. Organisers shared "The Crieff Film Festival also aligns with Creative Crieff’s wider ambition to regenerate the town by establishing a first-class cinema and cultural venue on the High Street. This festival is both a celebration of film and a glimpse into the cultural future of Crieff. The Crieff Film Festival will be a beacon of what is to come and a reminder of the pleasure of watching a film together with others in the community on the big screen." We are of course very excited about the new cinema as it's location is just a block up from our shop encouraging visitors from the town to head up our way.

Hopefully this blog has inspired you to book your next trip to Crieff and explore all that it and the area of Strathearn and Perthshire has to offer. You may need to visit a few times to discover this gem of a place. I'm definitely inspired to revisit the area! If you would like to book an appointment at our lovely shop you can do so here, or just pop in any day of the week.

Image Sources:

Crieff (header image) – credit Crieff Succeeds / Damian Shields

Crieff Hydro – credit Crieff Succeeds / Damian Shields

Glenturret Distillery casks – credit Visit Scotland / Kenny Lam

Drummond Arms Hotel Loch Earn - credit Visit Scotland / Paul Tomkins

Innerpeffray Library - By sobolevnrm - Innerpeffray Library, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98749497

Scone Palace - By PaulT (Gunther Tschuch) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80208249