Major city · United Kingdom
Blairgowrie & RattrayBlairgowrie
Give it one night as a soft Highland edge: riverside mill walk, golf, raspberries in July, Glenshee or a distillery in the afternoon.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, ice on the glen roads)
- Airports
- EDI · GLA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Blairgowrie and Rattray sit either side of the River Ericht, 16 miles north of Perth on the A93, and are the last town of any size before the road climbs to Glenshee and Braemar. The draw is soft rather than spectacular: a riverside walk past old flax and jute mills, three golf courses, berry farms in early summer, and easy access to Glen Isla, Alyth and the southern Cairngorms. Most visitors use it as a single overnight stop between Perth and the Highlands, or as a base for walking and fishing rather than a destination in itself.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Blairgowrie & Rattray, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime small town.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEDI Edinburgh (Train to Perth then Stagecoach bus 57; about 2 h 30 min door to door).
- Getting aroundThe town itself is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within towncheck£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–20 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£28 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedSmall hotel or B&B double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedSmall hotel or B&B double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EDI Edinburgh (Train to Perth then Stagecoach bus 57; about 2 h 30 min door to door) · GLA Glasgow (Train to Perth then bus 57; about 3 h door to door)
Weather and climate
Blairgowrie & Rattray: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
0°C32°F
14 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
0°C32°F
11 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
Apr
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
10 rd
May
15°C59°F
6°C43°F
11 rd
Jun
18°C64°F
9°C48°F
11 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Aug
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
12 rd
Sep
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
12 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
6°C43°F
14 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
13 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
0°C32°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town itself is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. Bus 63 orbits Blairgowrie and Rattray every 30–60 min. For Glen Isla, Glenshee, Meigle or the distilleries you need your own car or a taxi: Coysie, WH Taxi, Blairgowrie Taxis and Faisal all run locally (numbers via the town's taxi firms, check current).
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 50 min
Stagecoach bus 57 from Blairgowrie, every 30 min
Scone Palace is on the same road; combine the two.
Dunkeld and Birnam
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Car on the A923, or train from Perth
Cathedral, riverside walks and the start of the Highlands.
Door to door: About 1 h by car
Car via the A9, or bus to Perth then train
Fish ladder, theatre and the Tummel valley.
Glenshee and Braemar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h to the ski centre
Car on the A93 over the Cairnwell
Ski area and bleak moors; no bus, and the road closes in bad winter weather.
Alyth
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car or taxi, 5 miles north-east
Packhorse bridge, museum and the Highland Boundary distillery.
Aberfeldy
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via the A9 and A827
Better as an overnight than a return day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Blairgowrie town centre
Wellmeadow and Allan Street: hotels, pubs and the bus stops within a 5-minute walk.
Rattray
Across the river: B&Bs, the caravan park and Hatton Road, quieter but still walkable to town.
Countryside and Alyth
Kinloch House, Meikleour and Alyth guesthouses; you need a car or a taxi for evenings out.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Small hotel or B&B double room1 × 1 night × £130 | £130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95 | £190 |
| Stagecoach bus 57, Perth both ways2 × £12 · check | £24 |
| Golf day ticket, Blairgowrie2 × £200 · check | £400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £76 |
| Trip total≈ £420 per person per day, bed included | £840≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to the area excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Taxi within towncheck | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Caravan park hook-up pitch, per nightcheck | £32 (≈ US$45) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–20 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus 60 from Dunkeld is a school service only, twice a day Monday–Friday: do not plan around it.
- Bus 71 up Strathardle runs three times Monday–Saturday and does not reach the Glenshee ski area.
- Mobile signal is basic EE with 4G from O2, Three and Vodafone; 5G has not reached the area.
- Glen roads ice over in winter; check conditions before driving the A93 over the Cairnwell.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Blairgowrie & RattrayBlairgowrie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies here; the nearest US consulate-general is in Edinburgh, and most other countries have consulates in Edinburgh or embassies in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 57 Blairgowrie → Perth: about 50 min, every 30 min (check the fare)
- Bus 59 Blairgowrie → Dundee: about 55 min, hourly (check)
- Taxi within Blairgowrie: £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Could I have the bill, please? — Could I have the bill, please?
- Is there a bus to Perth? — Is there a bus to Perth?
- Where is the river walk? — Where is the river walk?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
English is the everyday language; a few Gaelic place names appear on signs.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Blairgowrie & Rattray. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, ice on the glen roads) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EDI and GLA: last bus and train times from Perth field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Wellmeadow, the Ericht bridges, Rattray crossroads, Davie Park.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Alyth Museum, Meigle stones, golf courses) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter road-status fixtures for the A93 so the Glenshee day trip can go green or red.