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Blairgowrie and Rattray, Perthshire, Scotland

Scottish town and twin burgh near Perth and Dundee and 58 miles north of Edinburgh

By disabled travel writer Keith A. Forbes at keithaforbes@sky.com. Keith writes Bermuda Online and lives in Rattray with his wife Lois.

Basic facts about Blairgowrie for newcomers, tourists and visitors

Blairgowrie Town Centre, May 2010 photos by the author

Summary of distances from Blairgowrie:

• Aberdeen, 69 miles

• Aberfeldy, 30 miles

• Alyth, 5 miles

• Balmoral Castle, 44 miles

• Braemar, 33 miles

• Coupar Angus, 5 miles

• Crieff, 34 miles

• Dundee, 19 miles

• Edinburgh, 60 miles

• Glasgow, 76 miles

• Glenshee (for skiing) 18 miles

• Inverness, 112 miles (along A9, often slow, lorry-bound and usually one lane each way, tiresome).

• Perth, 18 miles

• Pitlochry, 25 miles

• St. Andrews, 32 miles

• Scone Palace, 15 miles

• Sterling, 49 miles

• Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, 59 Miles (for annual Lonach Highland Games)

All, except Inverness and further north, less than a 90-minute drive away. Around 90% of Scotland's population live within a 90-minute drive of Blairgowrie and East Perthshire.

Twinned with Fergus, Ontario, Canada http://www.fergus-ontario.com and Pleasanton, California, USA http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/.  Other places with the name of Blairgowrie include Blairgowrie, Randburg, South Africa, 7 km from Johannesburg, west of Sandton. http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/blairgowrie.php; and Blairgowrie, Victoria, Australia, http://www.whereis.com/VIC/Blairgowrie#session=MTA=. Also see "A Place Called Blair" at Blair Society http://www.blairsociety.org/blplace.html. There is also a Blairgowrie Drive in Henderson, Nevada NV89044, USA.

Hometown or birthplace of notables including George Anton, actor (films include K-19, The Widowmaker, many more); Andy Clyde, actor. Born: Mar 25, 1892 in Blairgowrie. Died: May 18, 1967 in Hollywood, California. Active: 1920s to 1950s. Major Genres: Western, Action. Career Highlights: Three Men from Texas, Roughly Speaking, Hoppy Serves a Writ. First Major Screen Credit: Water Wagons (1925). There's a memorial to him in Blairgowrie; David Clyde, actor (Scarlet Claw, etc). http://www.answers.com/topic/david-clyde-1;  Andrew Clark, actor (The DaVinci Code, etc); Jake Findlay, professional footballer in England); Hamish Henderson, actor (Play Me Something, etc); Tommy Newcomen. Blairgowrie accordionist and entertainer whose 2009 DVD is entitled "Music From The Mists Of Time"; Andy Stewart, singer and guitarist; Belle Stewart, singer, 1920s era. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Stewart.

• Ordnance Survey grid reference: NO 178452

• Public Transport: how to get here and back. National Rail Enquiries. phone 08457 484950. Or Traveline 0870 6082608. By bus, coach. No train service to Blairgowrie (stopped in 1965 after running since 1855). However, there is train service from the majority of places in the UK - see (a) East Coast train service route map at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/Documents/PDFs/ECRouteMap.new.pdf - to Dundee or Perth (both 18 miles away, both with many services including car hire and periodic buses) and Dunkeld (no care hire service locally, only an infrequent bus);or (b) the Virgin Trains route map at http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/routes-stations/. 

• Population: estimated at 8,090

• Lieutenancy and county: Perth and Kinross (see below) of which the county capital and nearest major town/city is Perth (18 miles south). See http://www.perthshire.co.uk. 

• Local authority (Council area) is Perth and Kinross Council, at http://www.pkc.gov.uk. Enquiries at email enquiries@pkc.gov.uk. Blairgowrie and Rattray are in Ward 3 (top right of graphic below), referred to as "Blairgowrie and the Glens." Ward 3 has Councillor Bob Ellis (SNP), email rsellis@pkc.gov.uk; Councillor Elizabeth Grant (SNP), email eagrant@pkc.gov.uk; and Councillor Caroline Shiers (CON), email CSheirs@pkc.gov.uk.  

  

  Perth and Kinross Council area

• Perth and Kinross Council Tax bands. Band A, up to and including £27,000; Band B over £27,000 and up to £35,000; Band C over £35,000 and up to £45,000; Band D over £45,000 and up to £58,000; Band E over £58,000 and up to £80,000; Band F over £80,000 and up to £106,000; Band G over £106,000 and up to £212,000; and Band H over £212,000. The problem with this formula is that it is completely out-of-date, based on early 1990s housing valuations. Today, in 2010, the average home property value in Scotland according to Zoopla and other entities is over over £152,000 which means that according to the Perth and Kinross Council Tax band formula the average property should be in Band G. In fact, 1990s banding still applies for long-term local homeowners, which means they are paying much lower council taxes based on 1990s valuations while newer local homeowners have been paying much more, based on much newer valuations.

• EU Parliament: Scotland.

• Post town: Blairgowrie

• Post Office: Back of Somerfield, Wellmeadow Garage, Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie PH10 6NQ. Phone 01250 872766. (No longer at 66-68 High Street). Open Monday to Friday 0900 to 1730, Saturday 0900 to 1230.

• Postcodes: PH10 (for Blairgowrie and Rattray): PH13 for Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie

• Telephone dialing: 01250 for Blairgowrie national calls, 1250 from international areas

• TV Switchover from analogue to digital. Region: STV North. The second and last procedure occurred throughout Blairgowrie and area on 18th August 2010.

• Telephone Directory Area: Dundee and Perth. Blairgowrie code is 01250. 

• Electricity Emergency: Scottish Hydro Electric at 0800 300999: Scottish Power 0845 2727999

• Gas Emergency: Transco, call 0800 111999

• Police and emergency: Tayside Police at http://www.tayside.police.uk/. Emergency calls 999. Non-emergency 0300 111 2222. 

• Blairgowrie Registrar. For couples getting married, etc. Miss Ruth Ingham, Council Buildings, 46 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6AW. 01250 877002. Fax 01250 976029. Email bregistrar@pkc.gov.uk 

• Neighbourhood Watch: East Perthshire Neighbourhood Watch Association at http://www.epnwa.org.uk 

• Newspapers: Daily, except Sunday, The Courier (Dundee), http://www.thecourier.co.uk, email courier@dcthompson.co.uk. Perth and Perthshire edition, best by far, with very good local coverage and inter-activity; Perthshire Advertiser; and weekly, Blairgowrie Advertiser

• Fire: Tayside Fire and Rescue Service at http://www.taysidefire.gov.uk/ 

• Ambulance: Scottish Ambulance Service at http://www.scottishambulance.com/ 

• National Health Service (NHS) Tayside: at http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/

• NHS 24 for out-of-hours emergency: Hotline 08454 242424 

• NHS Accident and Emergency Hospitals: Perth Royal Infirmary, 01738 623311; Murray Royal, 01738 621151; Ninewells, Dundee, 01382 660111.

• Blairgowrie NHS Community Hospital: http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/patients/hospital/BLAIRGOWRIE_COM_HOSP.shtml. Perth Road, Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 6EE. Phone 01250 874466

Blairgowrie Community Hospital

• NHS GPs and Surgeries: Ardblair Medical Centre, Anne Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6EF • Tel 01250 872033: Coupar Angus Medical Centre, Candlehouse Lane, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie. PH13 9DP • Tel 01828 627318; Alyth Health Centre, New Alyth Road, Alyth, Blairgowrie PH11 8EQ • Tel 01828 632317; Strathmore Surgery, Jessie Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6BT • Tel 01250 872552.

• Dental Surgeries: Blairgowrie Dental Care, 64 High Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6DF • Tel 01250 875136; Coupar Angus Dental Care, 7 Union Street, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie PH13 9AE • Tel 01828 628280. 

• UK Parliamentary Constituency: Perth and North Perthshire. In the May 6 General Election 2010 the candidates were Peter Barrett (Liberal Democrat); Jamie Glackin (Labour); Peter Lyburn (Conservative); Douglas Taylor (Trust Party): and Pete Wishart (SNP). Also scheduled to be included, but he withdrew after being caught up in the April 2010 Icelandic volcano-caused UK airline disruption, was Viscount Monckton of Benchley, who was to represent the UK Independence Party UKIP). In the 2010 General Election, Pete Wishart, Scottish National Party, had 19,118 votes, 39.6%, a gain of 5.9%; Peter Lyburn, Scottish Conservative, had 14,739 votes, 30.5%, a gain of 0.2%; Jamie Glackin, Labour, had 7,923 votes, 16.4%, a loss of 2.3%; Peter Barrett, Lib Dem, had 5,954 votes, 12.3%, a loss of 3.8%; and Douglas Taylor, Trust, had 534 votes, 9.1%. SNP majority was 4,379 votes or 9.1%. Turnout was 48,268, 66.9% voted, a 3% increase. In the 2005 General Election, the results were SNP 33%; Conservative 30%; Labour 18% and Lib Dems 18%.

Present Perth and North Perthshire constituency

• Scottish Parliament: North Tayside. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Tayside_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency) 

• Scottish Constituency MSP: John Swinney, Scottish National Party. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Swinney. 

• Sheriff's Court: Perth

• Tourist Office:  http://www.VisitScotland.com. Locally staffed (two until April, up to 6 in height of season) office, 26 Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie PH10 6AS. Phone 01250 972960. Local email blairgowrie@visitscotland.com  A major advantage to the town to have this staffed office so strategically placed in the town centre.

• Water Emergency: Government-owned Scottish Water, 0845 6018855. 

Area roads and streets with Blairgowrie postal code

Listed alphabetically by road:

Alyth

To be continued

Blairgowrie:

Economy

Many locals work in Blairgowrie in the local hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, shops and restaurants or the nearby cities of Dundee or Perth or neighbouring townships of Coupar Angus or Dunkeld. The town's area is famous for its soft fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. There are about 50 shops and services including the bakery, butchers, cattery, charity shops, chemists, clothing, estate agents, periodic Farmers Markets, farm shops, funeral home, hardware, restaurants, solicitors and more.

History

Weir at River Ericht. It divides Blairgowrie and Rattray. May 2010 photo by the author

The twinned town but separate communities of Blairgowrie and Rattray are in the Strathmore Valley, on opposite banks of the River Ericht which flows into the River Isla and then the River Tay. Blairgowrie is on the west bank and Rattray is on the east bank. The fairly modern bridge over the river joins them (the original bridge was built in 1777 to replace the rowing boat ferry service between Blairgowrie and Rattray). They are about one mile from each other. They get their names from Blar Ghobharaidh in Scots Gaelic, or Blairgowrie in Scots, once an 18th century village of 400 or so and Raitear in Scots Gaelic. 

 There are various renditions of the name in early written records; Rathtreff in 1160, Rotref inb 1291, Ratref in 1296, Rothtref in 1205, there are also various other renditions of the name including Rattra. (W. F. H Nicolaisen, 1976, Scottish Place-Names, E. T. Batsford Ltd., London) and Raitear in Scots Gaelic which was taken to mean Fort of the Hunter. 

The ruins of Glasclune Castle, former home of a cadet branch of the Balthayock Blairs, is located in the hamlet of Kinloch, 3 miles Northwest of Blairgowrie. 

The name Rattray is composed of two parts, the first derived from the word Rath, from both Gaelic and Cymric (modern Welsh or ancient British) meaning fortification; the second part Tref or Treb, Tray, from the Cymric (British) meaning settlement. 

It is not widely known that British (similar to modern Welsh) was spoken in the area until the tenth century. 

The name means a fortified settlement and became associated with the family, the Rattrays of Rattray, who held sway over the fortification and the area. 

The fortification was built on a snake shaped mound, which was in pre-Christian times associated with some form of serpent worship. 

The Rattray coat of arms are supported by serpents. Perhaps significantly the weather vane on Old Rattray Church (Kirk), in the centre of this village, is also in the shape of a serpent. 

The Rattrays of Rattray (see Clan Rattray) are of royal descent. Patrick Rattray (1400-1461) married a daughter of James Stewart, son of Alexander Stewart (Wolf of Badenoch) who was Robert II of Scotland’s natural son. Patrick’s children were technically 2nd cousins of James IV.

There is also a Rattray in Aberdeenshire, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattray,_Aberdeenshire. 

Wellmeadow, in the centre of the town, is the most prominent local landmark. There were once several springs or wells on the flat ground known by that name. Blairgowrie and Rattray expanded significantly in the 19th century around the many (12) jute and flax mills (still there, in a picturesque setting with a lovely walk on the opposite side of the river all the way into town) on the banks of the river Ericht. The mills, for both jute and linen, harnessed the river's strong flow to drive their spinning machines and processed the raw jute grown in India and locally-grown flax. While Dundee downriver was the main jute centre not only for Scotland but the whole of the United Kingdom, Blairgowrie too had an important role at that time. With the jute industry gone by the early 1950s when most of the Dundonians and folk from Blairgowrie repatriated back from India, Blairgowrie and Rattray languished appreciably for a while but later became the market town for the area and a centre for visitors and holidaymakers. With their population of about 8,090 Blairgowrie and Rattray combined and became the second-largest town in Perth and Kinross. Many Rattray residents work in Blairgowrie or nearby, while others work in Perth or Dundee.

There is not yet any definitive chronological history of the town. However, there are some local books, for example Blairgowrie and Rattray, A Century of Music 1850-1950 (James Sloggie, 2001); Old Blairgowrie and Rattray 1997 and "More Old Blairgowrie and Rattray" 2003, both by Maurice Fleming, for many years a popular writer with The Scotsman newspaper.  There are also Rattray and its Fowk; Mills on the Ericht, Peter Dawson, 1950 (not a book but a thesis); Blairgowrie, Stormont and Strathmore, Henry Dryeere, 1903. Reminiscences of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Choral Society (A Chalmers, 1904); and The History of Blairgowrie (John A. R. Macdonald, 1899). This author's attempts to compile a chronological history currently include: 

• 300-400 AD. St. Ninian camped in the Wellmeadow, with a party of followers including quite probably singers and musicians. He was on an evangelical expedition from Galloway. Later, it was a resting place for drovers and their herds.
• 1162. Founding, a few miles from Blairgowrie and now in the latter's post code, of Coupar Angus Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in Coupar Angus, on the old royal manor of Coupar with the patronage of Máel Coluim IV ("Malcolm IV"), King of Scots, by monks from Melrose Abbey. It became an abbey of medium to large size and wealth and enjoyed more than four centuries of monastic life. 
• 1533. Craighall Castle, Rattray, became the family home of the Rattrays of Craighall-Rattray.
• 1558. Religious zealot John Knox and his rantings to crowds of uneducated people resulted in the total destruction of Coupar Angus Abbey and further massive un-Christian pillage and looting in what became known as the Reformation.

• 1606. Coupar Angus Abbey remnants turned into a secular lordship for James Elphinstone, by parliament and by royal charter in 1607. Today, there are almost no remains of the abbey, much of it being burned by the Protestant reformers. A collection of its charters has survived. There are some remnants of a gatehouse, and some fine fragmentary stonework from the Abbey (notably a number of tombs) are preserved in the parish church, which stands on or near the site of the medieval building. Other fragments are built into walls throughout the modern town.

• 1634. July 9. During the first visit to Scotland of King Charles I, he granted a charter dated July 9th 1634 to George Drummond of Blair, then proprietor of the estate of Blairgowrie, creating the Barony of Blairgowrie. Blairgowrie thus became a burgh of Barony by charter from that king. This historical Blairgowrie document measures nearly 10 feet in length, 10 inches in width and written throughout in Latin, is preserved in the Register House, Edinburgh. The granting of the charter empowered the Baron to hold courts"for the trial of thieves and other characters disgraceful to Society." A Barony Court was established, the site according to tradition being in the manse grounds of the parish church. The place of execution was the"Gallows Knowe"- now called Gallowbank, where miscreants who had been condemned at the Barony Court were brought here to be hanged.

• 1660. Local man Donald Cargill was the son of a bonnet laird who owned the small estate of the Hatton. He became a minister gratefully admired for his preaching, but he refused to accept the laws which Charles II had promulgated on his return to the Throne. Cargill became one of the leaders of the Covenanters who refused to accept bishops in the Scottish Presbyterian Church. He was outlawed and spent years preaching at conventicles - illegal kirk services held in the open air - with a price on his head before he was betrayed and martyred in Edinburgh. The scene of his daring escape is in Blairgowrie.

• 1777. New Rattray, in Blairgowrie, was established after the Brig o' Blair was built as new turnpike roads emerged (that original bridge was built in 1777 to replace the rowing boat ferry service between Blairgowrie and Rattray). They are about one mile from each other. 

• 1790 (circa). Blairgowrie House (part of it, on Coupar Angus Road still survives, hemmed in by more modern homes) was built by Colonel Allan Macpherson. 

• 1824. The custom began of holding fairs and markets at the Wellmeadow, including the famous Fair O' Blair, which became an annual event in July. 

• 1835. Establishment of Rattray's Mount Ericht United Free Church. Later, the first local company of the Boys Brigade was formed here.

• 1835. Thomas Bisset constructed the Bisset Binder at his Greenbank Works, Dunkeld Road.

• 1838. The first printing press arrived in Blairgowrie. 

• 1847. A great storm threw down two arches of the old Brig (bridge), originally built in 1777. 

• 1852. The Royal Hotel was built, on the site of an earlier townhouse. It occupied a commanding position at the Cross, looking along the length of High Street. It was owned by the Fairs family.

• 1853. Formation of the Working Men's Library (which later developed into the Mechanics Institute and Working Men's Club).

• 1855. The first newspaper, later the Blairgowrie Advertiser, was established and was printed by that press. 

• 1855. The Blairgowrie Railway Station was opened, which had long been eagerly anticipated and immediately became a huge boost to the town. At about the same time Rosemount Station was also built. The train ran between Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus and the Rosemount Station was en route.

• 1858. Establishment of Blairgowrie's South United Free Church. 

• 1862. Church choirs re-emerged, with those in the First Free and South Free churches formed.

• 1867. 19th January. A. Chalmers as "Musicus" suggested a Choral Society in Blairgowrie.

• 1867. 26th January. J. S. Baxter as a "Lover of Music" agreed with "Musicus."

• 1867. 9th February. William Robinson as "Son" agreed with "Musicus" and "Lover of Music."

• 1867. 29th March. Formation of the Blairgowrie Choral Society at Brown Street Chapel.

• 1868. 29th January. First concert of the Choral Society, led by contralto Helen Kirk.

• 1868. 29th May. Second concert of the Choral Society.

• 1869. 29th January. Third concert of the Choral Society.

• 1869. May. Fourth concert of the Choral Society, with Mr. Smith as conductor.

• 1871. 16th March. The Choral Society sang the "Creation" with soloists Margaret Smyth, a leading Scottish soprano of the time, Mr. Young as tenor and Mr. Allan as bass.

• 1871. The business of James Dick, coal, potato, manure and forage merchant, was established in Blairgowrie.

• By the 1870s, after textile mills on the River Ericht had been established over the years, Blairgowrie had changed from a largely rural village of handloom weavers into an industrial town. By then there were 10 mills along the river, employing nearly 2,000 men, women and children between them. The mills processed flax, later jute, which came from India. The mills included the Plash Mill, Muckle Mill and Meal Mill. 

• 1879. Blairgowrie High School was built. 

• 1882. A photograph was taken of the circle of standing stones on Essendy Road, all in their original sockets. They were said to be the only group of standing stones in Scotland with a road running through them. They date from the Bronze Age or earlier.

• 1885. St. Mary's Parish Church on Reform Street was opened.

• 1887. The Methodist Church in Rattray was built, from an unexpected legacy left specifically for that purpose by a member of another congregation. 

• 1890. Harper's was founded, as a blacksmith and general engineer. It expanded to become a local pioneer of motoring.

• 1890. St. Stephen's Catholic Union was established. Its regular meetings included concerts and dramatic entertainments.

• 1890. 23 July. After many years of the traditional Fair o'Blair at Wellmeadow, then an open space, on this exact date of the year, the event was changed to the last Tuesday of July.

• 1890. Raspberries were first grown commercially in Blairgowrie. A steam engine on the railway line came to collect them and took them to Blairgowrie Railway Station for onward transit to markets in England.

• 1891. Coupar Angus (Gaelic: Cùbar Aonghais), a small town now in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, situated eight kilometres south of Blairgowrie, was transferred from the county of Angus to Perthshire, but retained its traditional name. The name Coupar Angus serves to differentiate the town from Cupar, Fife. It is located on the A94 Perth-Forfar road, although the town centre itself is now bypassed.

• 1893. The Macpherson Memorial Fountain was gifted to the town by the Macpherson family, of Blairgowrie House, in memory of Allan Macpherson who, after serving on the legislative council of New South Wales in Australia (which includes the city of Sydney) returned home to Blairgowrie and devoted himself to local government. He was the local laird and Deputy Lieutenant of Perthshire. It was an impressive sculpture but was later badly damaged in a traffic accident, was never properly repaired and today only the base survives, on a new site but nearby). 

• 1893. Establishment of the Blairgowrie Fruit Growers Association, then mainly concerned with raspberries and strawberries.

• 1893. 16th September. The UK's Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone, was a guest at Blackcraig Castle, Strathardle and was photographed at a picnic with locals. 

• 1889. The Lansdowne Golf Club was founded at Rosemount, Blairgowrie.  

• 1894.  The Rev. Thomas Tully, MA, became minister of the Rattray United Free Church (demolished early in the 20th century).

• 1897. William Kirkwood, ironmonger and seedsman, was one of the local businesses at the Cross. He succeeded William Davie and was the predecessor of J. B. McGibbon.  

• 1901. Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital was established, still extant today. It began as a simple structure, later with extensions and additions. 

• 1901. A photograph of staff outside Blairgowrie Post Office at 1 High Street near the Royal Hotel shows 29 staff including counter staff, postmen and telegraph boys

• 1902. Essendy Fruit Farm in Blairgowrie began marketing fruit. It soon became responsible for much of Blairgowrie's total crop. It was said that over 1,000 souls entered the town from throughout Scotland to live in the Tin City - so named from the tin huts established on the farm as their sleeping quarters. 

• 1906. Paul's high class store on Allan Street opened, next to the D. E. shoe shop. 

• 1906. Rattray's Mount Ericht Church closed and its congregation moved across the river to the South Church.

• 1906. 19th December. A goods train jumped points as it passed the signal box at Blairgowrie Railway Station. Ten wagons were derailed, with two almost totally wrecked, but no one was hurt. 

• 1908. April.  The snow had to be cleared from the Blairgowrie Bowling Green before the annual opening match could begin.

• 1908. September. King Edward VII visited Blairgowrie and Rattray, which resulted in much local attention to local buildings. 

• 1909.  February.  A group of 19 Canadian curlers arrived, in hopes of taking on local teams including the Ardblair Curling Club. They were guests of Strathmore Curling Province. Their arrival at Blairgowrie Railway Station was greeted by large crowds. They entered locally-owned motor cars. They were wined and dined and all enjoyed their visit. But it was not cold enough for them to do any curling. 

• 1909.  A second storey was added to Blairgowrie High School (later known as Hill Primary). 

• 1910. August. Spectators lined the Brig all day to watch as debris - trees, bushes, sheds and farmyard equipment and animals including chickens - were swept downstream by the River Ericht from a night of violent rainfall. Half of the wooden croy which diverted water from the mill lade above the bridge was washed away. From the Alyth Road in Rattray the strath had the appearance of a huge lock, with thousands of acres under water.

• 1920. One of the shops on Allan Street was the barber shop operated by Alex Steven at number 16.

• 1920s. Wellmeadow was an area of trees and bollards. There was a drinking trough for horses, also a town weigh-house - a hut - where loads of farm and other products were weighed by a workman operating a horizontal bar and weights.

• 1926. Outside his Davidson's chemists shop at Wellmeadow (still there in 2010) Walter Davidson was photographed when running for election to the Blairgowrie Town Council. He was elected and was the last provost before Blairgowrie and Rattray were joined in 1928. 

• 1926. A photograph shows three of Blairgowrie's River Ericht textile mills. They were Westfield, Brooklinn and Ashbank. Westfield Terrace was known as the Promised Land when constructed. Its 48 houses were occupied by mill workers and their families. 

• 1928. Blairgowrie and Rattray were united into a single burgh. 

• 1928. Ogilvy's Brewery was in business at the time.

• 1929. Members of the Ardblair Curling Club were photographed on the ice-bound pond at Muirton Wood. 

• 1929. An operetta was performed in the South Church Hall. It was produced by Mrs. More, wife of church minister Rev. James More.

• 1929. Rev. James Leithead became the minister at St. Mary's Church. His ministry lasted there until 1967.

• 1930. The Brewery on Allan Street was in full operation, thanks to a spring of high quality water nearby. 

• 1931. The fishmonger at 31-33 Leslie Street was operated by William Stewart Ltd.

• 1930s. Local boy scouts on their way to church marched from the Malt barns at the top of Kirk Wynd to the South church on Reform Street. They were accompanied by their newly established pipe band.

• 1930s. Hugh Grant and his Blairgowrie Cooperative Society Ltd van, phone 113, was a familiar sight on Blairgowrie roads.

• 1937. May. The coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was celebrated locally with a big procession including a royal float showing local ladies. 

• 1935. Blairgowrie and Rattray contributed to King George V Jubilee celebrations, including a parade in town and at Rattray Common.

• 1935. Perth Aerodrome, on a site 400 feet above sea level near Scone, was established. It initially had two main functions. It provided flight training for Royal Air Force and associated personnel. It also became a major source of transport for residents of Blairgowrie and nearby areas, as well a new method of arriving here for visitors, with the service provided by North Eastern Airways. 

• 1938. The Regal Cinema was built, as a rival to Quinn's Picture House in Reform Street. The opening ceremony was performed by Sir Douglas Ramsay of Banff. He was heard to compliment the management of the cinema for "not having a piece of foreign workmanship in the whole building." The first film shown there was (the foreign) The Singing Marine starring Dick Powell. Later, over 200 locals in the audience were guests of the management at a dinner at the Queen's Hotel. Later, the Regal became a bingo hall (and in the mid 1990s was demolished and replaced by the building of flats). 

• 1930s and 40s. Failure of the Blairgowrie and area raspberry crop. But it had one positive effect. As a direct result of the failure, the Scottish Crop Research Institute was founded at Invergowrie. It was primarily concerned with local produce such as soft fruit and potatoes. As well as researching crop diseases it developed new varieties of fruits and vegetables. One significant result was the emergence of the tayberry, a hybrid of the raspberry and blackberry and both bigger and tastier than either.

• 1940 to 1941. During the years of World War 2, Blairgowrie and Rattray, with the neighbouring areas of Coupar Angus and Alyth, both of which share a Blairgowrie post-code, hosted units of Polish military units. Blairgowrie was the command base area for the 1st and 2nd Tank Regiments, collectively over 1200 men. A good number married local girls. Craighall Castle was converted to a hospital and convalescent centre for the Polish 3rd Armoured Regiment, the Guards and Military Police. Poles in those units met and married local girls. Many Poles stayed in the area after the war when the Soviets ran Poland with an iron fist. As the great majority of the Poles were Catholic, a Catholic priest from St. Stephen's Church conducted regular services from the steps of St. Stephen's RC School for the benefit of the massed soldiers outside the school.

• 1942. A Blairgowrie Home Guard unit provided key local defence duties

• 1944-45. War Savings Campaigns in Blairgowrie were duly commemorated. (See pictures below).

Photos taken by the author in Blairgowrie Town Hall, May 2010 of commemorative events. 

• 1951. A photograph of the Wellmeadow area shows the Commercial Bank of Scotland in operation.

• 1950s. Folksong collectors discovered a wealth of Scots songs, presumed long lost. 

• 1955. A town photograph shows, next to the Royal Hotel, the eating place known as Keiller's Restaurant. It also shows the Post Office almost adjacent.

• 1960s. The town hosted the first festivals organized by the then-newly-formed Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland, a body that continues to promote, nurture and preserve the indigenous music of the country. Unfortunately, the Blairgowrie Folk Festival died. 

• 1966. Fire ravaged the Spittal Hotel at Glenshee. The Grant family had made this a favourite watering hole. It was later rebuilt.

• 1968. The last service at St. Mary's Church occured and the congregation was united with the South Church along that street. 

• 1973. St. Mary's Parish Church was demolished and replaced by the St. Mary's Court development.

• 1973. Community Councils were introduced through the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

• 1977. 5th April. First meeting of Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council which like other Community Councils in Scotland, was a statutory organization, made up of volunteers who give time to, and have a genuine interest in, the well-being of the Blairgowrie & Rattray community. Community Council members are residents of the area who act on behalf of local people to help to make local authorities and other public bodies aware of the opinions, needs and preferences of the communities that they represent. They try and preserve those aspects of the community that the community believes are worth retaining, while also encouraging developments which will benefit the community and ensure that it will continue to thrive. The council's first Constitution was ratified by Perth & Kinross District Council on 25th August 1977. The Community Council consists of 15 members together with various ex-officio members including our local Councillors. Unlike Perth and Kinross Council Councillors and MSP's, Community Councillors are elected or co-opted for their three-year term as individuals, without bias towards any political party. Party politics plays no part in Community Councils. 

• 1986 to 1995. Unique recordings from the Blairgowrie Folk Festivals 1986-1995 feature Chuck Fleming & Gerry Kaley, Vin Garbutt, Isaac Guillory, Lizzie Higgins, Hamish Moore, Marion Paterson, The Stewarts O' Blair and Kathryn Tickell. Blairgowrie holds a unique position in the recent history of traditional music in Scotland. 

• 1982. The Blairgowrie Railway Station was demolished. Its station clock was rescued by the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Civic Trust. Later, the demolished site became a Tesco supermarket.

• 1985. Blairgowrie Dental Practice was established by Jim Estill and Ali Geddes.

Blairgowrie and Rattray is today an attractive town with many shops. Because of its peculiar traffic flow and where traffic lights are situated there can be traffic jams in the Wellmeadow area and nearby, especially in summer. The town is nicely situated in the centre of Scotland for visitors for all over the Eastern, Western and Northern Scottish Highlands and additionally offer good facilities for skiers going to Braemar and beyond. 

Travelling south on the A9 main road, Blairgowrie and Rattray are accessed from Pitlochry via a scenic route or from Dunkeld, also scenic and somewhat more direct, or via Perth and Scone. They are about 1 1/2 hours north from Edinburgh, 30 minutes north from Perth and Dundee, one hour south west of Aberdeen and 2 1/2 hours south of Inverness. They are close to the main north-south artery road routes of the A9 to Inverness and the A90 to Aberdeen, and the spectacular A93, Deeside National Tourist Route, runs through our area to the dramatic mountain scenery of Glenshee and onto Royal Deeside. There are busy mainline train stations at nearby Perth, Pitlochry and Dundee, with an additional railway stop at Dunkeld on the Dunkeld to Blairgowrie Road.  There are regular bus services in areas including Blairgowrie and Rattray from Perth and Dundee. Bus routes 57 and 59 take about an hour to get to Dundee from Rattray. Major airports are 60 miles away at Edinburgh, somewhat further but still within easy distance from Glasgow and Aberdeen, with a much smaller air service from Dundee and with Scotland's European ferry port at Rosyth about an hour away by car.

Aspects to consider, for newcomers

• Nearness to cities and their airports. Perth and Dundee are less than 20 miles away. Edinburgh 60, Glasgow 70. Very good for arriving to see local relatives, going away on holiday, etc. 
• Access to frequent public transport. Blairgowrie stopped being serviced by train in 1965 but  train service is available from Dunkeld (15 miles), Perth (18 miles), Dundee (18 miles), to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, etc. Buses travel between Blairgowrie, Perth and Dundee, to fixed timetables. 
• Quality of life is good.  Many facilities and services are nearby.
• Medical Practices, and nearby pharmacy, conveniently located in the town
• Minor Injuries local community hospital, is here in Blairgowrie.
• Nearest Accident and Emergency hospitals. Perth and Dundee, 18 miles away. 
• Petrol stations. Several in town. 
• Shops. A good variety. 
• Delivery service for food shopping and some local takeaway restaurants! A feature not available in the Northern Highlands. Nice surprise for visitors and newcomers, especially in food shopping for seniors and the less mobile or disabled, may be subject to minimum-order cost. Within the local delivery area of both Tesco (Blairgowrie) and ASDA in Perth. With the huge increases in 2007 and 2008 in all aspects of food, transport, petrol, gas, etc and their impact and repercussions, it is more necessary now than ever before to have big supermarkets within affordable travelling distance to buy goods and services at economies of scale, variety, pricing and convenience that smaller places are unable to offer.
• Deliveries of goods ordered via the Internet or magazines. Unfortunately, some suppliers won't deliver to the PH10 postcode, while others will but charge extra as they think it is too far north.
• Homes and land are reasonably priced compared to London and most of the more populated areas of the UK. (Except in Council Tax costs).
• Broadband is available, at reasonable speed. Broadband speeds now possible are from 512 Kb to 6 MB. For a good list of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) covering the Blairgowrie/Rattray area PH10 postcode see   http://www.broadband-finder.co.uk/compare-broadband/compare-broadband.html#compare and enter the postcode where you live now or will live (for example, PH10 7AW), in the "Postcode Checker" and see the results to best suit you. Tip: if you can afford it and have the option with a particular ISP, go for the 18-month contract, not 12-month. No Cable TV or Cable Broadband.
• For newcomers with children, there are good local primary and secondary schools. (See under Education).
• Television stations are readily available by satellite (Sky) via dish antenna and Freeview - at postcode PH10 - via rooftop or attic (loft) antenna. The latter should be capable of receiving Channel 5. Non-digital TV ends in 2010. Newcomers should not buy or bring any non-digital TVs. There is a regional TV transmitting station (STV).

Community groups in/near Blairgowrie 

Those seeking inclusion in this list should contact this writer by email at keithaforbes@sky.com with full contact details. Please note that if your group or organization has a website please courtesy link to/mention us if you wish us to (a) courtesy link to/mention you and (b) show your email address.  When this is done by you we'll link to/mention you, gladly. See our Links and Mentions policy, now in effect. 

They include:

• Accordion and Fiddle Club. Meets Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus second Tuesday of every month, 8 pm.
• Alyth 2020.
• Alyth 50 Plus Club.
• Alyth Arts Group.
• Alyth Guides and Brownies.
• Alyth Choral Union. Has a choir with altos, tenors and orchestra and holds regular seasonal concerts. 
• Alyth Climate Action Town.
• Alyth Church and History Group.
• Alyth Community Council.
• Alyth Environmental Group.
• Alyth Gala. Annual event, usually May.
• Alyth Hill Users Group.
• Alyth in Bloom.
• Alyth Lunch Club.
• Alyth Majorettes.
• Alyth Museum.
• Alyth Out of School Club.
• Alyth Photographic Club.
• Alyth Pipe Band.
• Alyth Scout Group.
• Alyth Voice.
• Alyth Youth Project.
• A taste of Perthshire, http://www.perthshire-produce.co.uk 
• Association of Blairgowrie Craftworkers. With over 60 active members.
• Blairgowrie 50+ Art Group.
• Blairgowrie Adult Education Association. Secretary Pam Drysdale, phone 01250 873641.
• Blairgowrie Air Training Cadet (ATC) Squadron (2519 ATC Squadron, Blairgowrie). Contact Flight Lieutenant Michael Kay, adjutant.
• Blairgowrie Bridge Club. Contract Bridge, Rattray Hall, Thursdays, 3:30 pm. Call Secretary 01250 876022.
• Blairgowrie Bowling Club.

• Blairgowrie Community Creche. YMCA, 20 William Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6BQ • Tel 01738 472350

• Blairgowrie Community Market http://www.strathmoreglens.org/commmkt/Community%20market.htm. Markets are run by volunteers who live and work in the area and organize the markets.
• Blairgowrie Craft Shop http://www.blairgowriecraftshop.co.uk
• Blairgowrie Day Centre. at http://www.pkc.gov.uk/Social+care+and+health/Services+for+older+people/Day+centres/Blairgowrie+Day+Centre.htm  
• Blairgowrie Dental Care http://www.blairgowriedentalcare.co.uk/index.html
• Blairgowrie and District Darts League.
• Blairgowrie and District Ladies Probus Club
• Blairgowrie and District Probus Club.
• Blairgowrie & East Perthshire Tourist Association (BEPTA). http://www.bepta.com and http://www.visiteastperthshire.co.uk. Since 1995. A voluntary, membership-fee paid association of businesses and individuals interested in developing and promoting tourism in Blairgowrie & East Perthshire and surrounding areas. With over 120 members ranging from accommodation providers to activity specialists, places to eat to retail outlets. Publishes the Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Visitor Guide. Offers memberships in a number of categories present or new. Presently, new members can register for membership as a Trade/Business Service (£40 fee) or alternatively as a Private Member (£30 fee). The former allows you to promote your business/service on the website www.visiteastperthshire.co.uk. Only full Members are listed.
• Blairgowrie in Bloom. Civic group. Plans several projects throughout the year in Blairgowrie and Rattray. 2010 Chairman Helen McCann email blairinbloom@aol.com.
• Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Local History Trust. Secretary Jean McIntyre, 01250 884278. Email jeancmcintyre@aol.com.  The Trust produced a new Homecoming Scotland 2009edition of "A Social History Of Blairgowrie And Rattray," researched, compiled and edited by Margaret Laing and her band of volunteers. Copies of the book are £15 each and can be bought at the Book Shop, Allan Street; VisitScotland, Wellmeadow; the Library, Leslie Street; and from any history trust member.
• Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band http://www.blairgowriepipeband.co.uk/ . Meets Proctor Group, Dunkeld Road. Wednesdays, learner pipers 7-8 pm; Thursdays, learner drummers 7-8 pm, playing member 7-9 pm. Secretary Brian Rumble 01382 580562.
• Blairgowrie and District Winter Pool League.
• Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club. http://www.bdhc.org.uk. 
• Blairgowrie and District Ladies Darts League.
• Blairgowrie and District Motorcycle Club (BAD MCC) 
• Blairgowrie Dolphins Amateur Swimming Club http://www.blairgowriedolphins.co.uk/ 
• Blairgowrie-Fergus-Pleasanton Twinning Association. Contact:  Philip Nappi (Chairman). Phone:  01250 873765. E-mail philip.nappi@tiscali.co.uk.
• Blairgowrie Golf Club. http://www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk. Golf Course Road, Blairgowrie. Call 01250 872622.
• Blairgowrie Guide Hut Committee. Runs the Guide Hut on Emma Street.
• Blairgowrie Holiday Park. 
• Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council (BRCC). http://www.brcommunitycouncil.org.uk/index.html. Email Gordon Robertson, Chairperson, at chair@brcommunitycouncil.org.uk; Jim Bradley, Vice Chairperson at viceshair@brcommunitycouncil.org.uk; Helen McCann, Secretary, at secretary@brcommunitycouncil.org.uk; Hazel Garside, Treasurer at treasurer@brcommunitycouncil.org.uk. Postal address is P. O. Box 6636, Blairgowrie PH10 7WQ. Local equivalent of a US or Canadian town hall. Funded by the Perth and Kinross Council. Meets monthly except for July and December. Eligibility requirements are minimal. Anyone over 18 who is a resident of the town or its area can apply if on the electoral register. 
• Blairgowrie Library. 46 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie
• Blairgowrie and Rattray Blethers. Members exchange memories of the past and mulling over old photographs. Newcomers also welcome. Meet monthly, Royal Hotel, Blairgowrie
• Blairgowrie and Rattray Braemar Association. Events include Braemar Night. Contact  Mr Ron Smith. Phone 01250 872852. E-mail rsmith71@btinternet.com
• Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games. http://www.blairgowriehighlandgames.co.uk. Contact:  Margaret Wotherspoon, Phone: 01240 870372. E-mail maggie_spoon@yahoo.co.uk.
• Blairgowrie and Rattray Pistol Club.
• Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC). http://www.barrc.co.uk/. Upper Mill Street, Blairgowrie. Office phone 01250 871120. Staffed by an office manager and eight regular volunteers, opens Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm. See visual displays of BARRC projects and other community activities.
• Blairgowrie Players. Theatre group. http://www.blairgowrieplayers.com.  
• Blairgowrie Rams. Rugby club.
• Blairgowrie Rattray and District Angling Association at http://www.brdaa.co.uk/ 
• Blairgowrie Riding for Disabled. Woodlands Stable. Chris Humble, Secretary.
• Blairgowrie Parish Church and Guild. With church magazine.
• Blairgowrie Post Office. Phone 01250 872766.
• Blairgowrie Ramblers. Walking group. Contact Bill Phillips 01250 870260
• Blairgowrie Recreation Centre. http://www.liveactive.co.uk. Phone 01250 873274. Beeches Road, Blairgowrie PH10 6PN
• Blairgowrie Relay for Life 2010. Brings teams together to celebrate the lives of those surviving cancer. See http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/relay. 
• Blairgowrie SCD Club. Town Hall, Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 pm. Contact 01250 873341
• Blairgowrie Tourist Information Office. 26 Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie.01250 872960. Fax 01250 873701.
• Blairgowrie Town Hall (BTHA) http://www.blairgowrietownhall.co.uk/. Or to make a booking for hire of the Town Hall see http://www.blairgowrietownhallassociation.co.uk. Or contact BTHA Treasurer Alan McCombe on phone 01250 870660 or MOB 07751 434296.
• Blairgowrie Wine Circle. Wine tasting. Phone 01250 874451 or 01250 874924.
• Blair Youth Project.
• Cairngorms National Park Authority at http://www.cairngorms.co.uk. Recently extended to quite close to Blairgowrie.
• Cateran Trail http://www.caterantrail.orangehome.co.uk. Walking route from/to Blairgowrie.
• Clan Rattray. http://www.clanrattray.org. Scottish Clan, originally from Rattray, Blairgowrie, meets periodically at Altamount Country Hotel.
• Coupar Angus Community Crèche. Gym Annexe, Coupar Angus Primary School, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie PH13 9AS • Tel 01738 472350.
• Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust.
• Coupar Angus Rising Young-stars. A community group for school-age children.
• Dorothy Dobson's Over-60 Exercise Class. Town Hall, Thursdays 11:15 am
• Ericht Art Club. Parish Church Hall, Thursdays 7:15-9:15 pm.
• Ericht SCD Club. Town Hall, Tuesdays, beginners 7 pm, general 7:30-9:30 pm. Call 01250 884315.
• Ericht Spinning Group. Spinning and related crafts. First Tuesday every month, St. Catherine's Centre 10 am to 3 pm.
• East Perthshire Neighbourhood Watch Association at http://www.epnwa.org.uk. Chair: Irene Robertson, phone 01828 833045, email chair@epnwa.org.uk; Secretary: Adeline Casey, phone 01250 874685 or 870210, email secretary@epnwa.org.uk; Treasurer: David Rhind, phone 01250 874006, email treasurer@epnwa.org.uk.
• East Perthshire Action of Churches Together in Scotland (EPACTS). Secretary: Helen Pithie. Convener: Rev. Sheila Kirk. Most of the local churches and religious groups are members. 
• Friends of Blairgowrie Community Hospital. Scottish Charity 004061. Active group doing many good works. Douglas Kidd, Chairman, 40 Woodlands Park, Blairgowrie or email douglaskidd@btinternet.com.
• Glen Isla Classic Cars.
• Heart of Blair. http://www.heartofblair.com. Nice, comprehensive local website, complementary and supplementary to this one.
• Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. St. Catherine's Centre, Mondays and Fridays after school. Contact 01382 330052.

• Hill Kids Club. Dining Hall, Hill Primary School, Upper Allan Street, Blairgowrie  PH10 6HL. Tel 07745 173717.

• Humpty Dumpty Playgroup. Rattray Primary School, Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays 9:15-11:45 am.

• Jelly Tots Parent & Toddler Group, Session House, Kirk Wynd, Blairgowrie PH10 6HN

• Larghan Park. Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie.

• Line Dancing Classes. Emma Street Guide Hut. Intermediate Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 pm; absolute beginners Fridays 6:30-7:30 pm; Improvers 7:30-9 pm. Phone 07787 369305.
• Loon Braes. Walk area at the edge of Davie Park residential area, Rattray.
• Love to Eat 2010. Mostly in the Blairgowrie area. It is hoped it will help make the town, with its major food-growing areas, a must-visit destination for gourmet visitors.  In conjunction with A Taste of Perthshire, above.
• Lunch Club. Rattray Hall. Mondays 12 noon.
• Lyric Choir. Methodist Church Hall, 7:30-9 pm. Call 01250 873055.
• Motivation to Move Classes. Contact Susan Black on MOB 07914 700988.
• Perth Concert Hall and Theatre, http://www.horsecross.co.uk. Choice selection of events throughout the year.
• Perth Festival of the Arts. http://www.perthfestival.co.uk. 
• Perth and Kinross Access Group http://www.pkag.org.uk/pkag/index.php.
• Perth and Kinross Council at http://www.pkc.gov.uk 
• Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT).
• Perth and Kinross Leisure. Runs gentle exercise fitness classes Monday 12-1 pm at Coupar Angus Town Hall with Sophie McCollom, £2; Thursday 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Rattray Primary School with Susie Black, £1; and Wednesday 2-3 pm supervised gym session at Blairgowrie Recreation Centre with Susie Black, £3.40 with liveactive card. Contact Sophie at 01738 492467 or Susie at 07914 700988 or see http://www.liveactive.co.uk.
• Perthshire at http://www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?lm=47 
• Perthshire Care and Repair. http://www.perthshireha.co.uk. Includes Blairgowrie and Rattray. Small Repair Scheme. Offered by Perthshire Housing Association Ltd. Phone 01738 474810. Fax 01738 474838. Email careandrepair@perthha.co.uk. Only for those living in Perthshire of pensionable age or with a permanent disability and with net income of less than £200 a week or £400 per week per couple. 
• Perthshire Photographic Society. http://www.perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk. With Blairgowrie and district members. Email President@perthshirephotographicsociety.org.uk. 
• Perthshire Solicitors Property Centre http://www.pspc.co.uk/ 

• Rattray After School Club. Rattray Primary School, High Street, Rattray, Blairgowrie  PH10 7DG.  Tel 07515 484740

• Rattray Art Festival. First one August 28 and 29, 2010, 10  am to 6 pm, Rattray Hall.

• Rattray Bowling Club. Middle Road, Rattray, Blairgowrie. Phone 01250 872919.
• Rattray Boys FC. Trains at Davie Park Mondays and Thursdays 7-9 pm contact Robin Shepherd 01250 873442.
• Rattray Community Creche. Balmoral Hall, Balmoral Road, Blairgowrie PH10 7AB • Tel 01738 472350.
• Rattray Hall, Meditation Class, Wednesdays 11 am-12:30 pm
• Rattray Hall, Weigh in and Line Dancing, Mondays 9:30-11 am, contact Shonaidh at 01250 870525
• Rattray Hall, Yoga, Thursdays 10:30-12 noon, contact Aileen Brown 01828 633605
• Rattray Media Group. Active in experimental film-making, had a presence in April 2010 at the Perth Concert Hall.
• Rattray Primary School. In 2010 its Marching Band had a change of name to Blairgowrie and Rattray Drum Corps, BHS Tuesdays 7-8 pm, secretary T. McDonald 872936.
• Rattray WRI, Rattray Hall, every thrird Monday, 7 pm
• Relax Group Yoga, Town Hall, Fridays 9:30-10:30 am

• Riverside Buggy Club, Rattray Hall, Balmoral Road, Rattray, Blairgowrie, PH10 7AB

• Riverside Methodist Church Hall Coffee Mornings, Wednesdays 10-11:230 am

• Rotary Club of Blairgowrie. Meets at the Angus Hotel, Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie PH10 6NQ,  Phone 01250 872838. Wednesdays at 12:30 pm for 1 pm

• Special Treats, Lunch Club. Rattray Hall, Mondays 12 noon.
• Special Treats, Whist. Rattray Hall, 1:45 pm first and third Monday every month.

• Strathardle Coffee Tots, Session House, Main Street, Kirkmichael, Blairgowrie PH10 7NT

• Strathmore Centre for Youth Development (SCYD). 21 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie PH10 6AH. Phone 01250 872121. Email SCYD@btconnect.com.

• Strathmore Speakers Club. Phone John Gibb 01250 875262

• Stride for Life. Local walks. Wednesdays, Town Hall, 9:15 am contact David Stanghorn, 01250 873575.

• Silver Surfers Internet Cafe, Rattray Hall, Tuesdays 1:15-3:15 pm, contact Shonaidh 870525.
• Sugar Art Club, St. Catherine's Centre, fourth Monday of month, 7:30 pm
• The Bridge. Members must live in Rattray and would  like to learn about growing fruit and vegetables, for themswelves and/or the community. Volunteers welcome. Phone 01250 870046. 
• Visit East Perthshire.
• Young Person Health Clinic.  

Homes and Land in Blairgowrie for sale

• Go to Perthshire Solicitors Property Centre at http://www.pspc.co.uk.
• For Blairgowrie and area properties see http://www.pspc.co.uk/search/results/?area[]=A9&type[]=&street=0&min=0&max=0&pub=-1&bed=-1&ch=-1&dg=-1&gar=-1&gard=-1&age=-1&s=0&l=50&SubmitButton=Property+Search 
• Also for homes in Blairgowrie,Highlands, rest of Scotland, etc see at http://www.zoopla.co.uk and http://www.nestoria.co.uk.
• Ascertain in advance what  Development Potential your intended home will have. If you have enough land can you build a cottage? Have neighbours on either side of you received planning permission for their new houses? If so, you should expect the same right. Local development plans need to be as fair to new arrivals as they've been to earlier settlers. If the estate agent or seller can't answer your questions about all the above then wait until they can before you buy. 
• Be very cautious about buying any property if the present Council Tax banding is not shown on the Property Schedule applicable to each house. This seems to be a failing of many Perthshire estate agents with properties for same in the Blairgowrie area. You are advised to make very sure you are told what the present Council Tax banding is, and when it was last evaluated, by the selling estate agent before you go to look at the house.
• Perth and Kinross Council Tax bands. Band A, up to and including £27,000; Band B over £27,000 and up to £35,000; Band C over £35,000 and up to £45,000; Band D over £45,000 and up to £58,000; Band E over £58,000 and up to £80,000; Band F over £80,000 and up to £106,000; Band G over £106,000 and up to £212,000; and Band H over £212,000. The problem with this formula is that it is completely out-of-date, based on early 1990s housing valuations. Today, in 2010, the average home property value in Scotland according to Zoopla and other entities is over over £152,000 which means that according to the Perth and Kinross Council Tax band formula the average property should be in Band G. In fact, 1990s banding still applies for long-term local homeowners, which means they are paying much lower council taxes based on 1990s valuations while newer local homeowners have been paying, unfairly, much more, based on much newer valuations. Newcomers who move into the area to downsize may find that while they will downsize in property size they won't always downsize in council tax banding. Council taxes can be the same for a £179,500 property in Blairgowrie as they are for a £850,000 property in London or Edinburgh. Thus the necessity to do your homework. On August 6, 2010 on page 4 the Perthshire edition of the Dundee Courier and Advertiser stated that according to the Perthshire Solicitors Property Centre at http://www.pspc.co.uk the average sale price of Perthshire (including Blairgowrie) properties then was just over £180,000. It is assumed this average sale price puts them into the Band D category if you accept that council tax bands are from A to H with the average in the middle.
• Potential buyers of Blairgowrie and area homes need to know for sure before they buy what the Perth and Kinross Council - http://www.pkc.gov.uk/ - will charge them in council taxes. Unfortunately, in some local authorities - a glaring example being the Highland Council - newcomers are not told in advance that their new home goes up a band automatically, unless challenged promptly,with no justification for doing so unless extensive improvements/extensions has been done to justify a council tax band increase. Before you buy, establish not only what your council tax banding is but what those of your neighbours on your road or street you are, see under "Find my Nearest" on the  http://www.pkc.gov.uk/ site, insert your local postcode  or intended postcode and pull up the information you need on your property and others in the same postcode. Additionally, look at the asking prices of properties being sold in the town or village and neighbourhood and check their council tax bands. You can do so easily in Blairgowrie by going to the http://www.pkc.gov.uk/ website, then scrolling down to the bottom right. 
• Council Tax Banding appeals. It is a requirement that newcomers appeal within 6 months of becoming local council tax payers, namely from the date you bought the property.
• From 1 January 2010 the stamp duty "holiday" was changed, is no longer free up to £175,000 but is now from £125,000 despite protests from estate agents all over the UK. Many new homeowners now have to pay the stamp duty they did not have to pay before. Stamp duty is an anachronistic tax. It limits market flexibility, creates regional inequality and its slab structure unfairly distorts the housing market. 
• Mixed use homes, for residential and agriculture. Buyers of properties should make a point of asking if their properties are purely domestic, involving the stamp duty, or whether they may qualify as mixed-use premises if there is an agricultural or farming aspect to the property. In the past, some people have qualified for freedom from stamp duty for that reason. 
• Certificate of Property/Land registration. A certificate of land ownership/registration will be sent to new property owners by the Land Registry but not until about one year later, and not by the Perth and Kinross Council in whose jurisdiction your property is in (the authority that will have full details of that property) but by the Scottish Government. Why does it have to take so long to arrive? Until it arrives you have no proof of ownership of your property but are expected by the Perth and Kinross Council to start paying your council tax immediately. Moreover, any appeals against council tax banding must be made within 6 months as said earlier. Newcomers should surely have the right to get their certificate of property/land ownership before, not long after, they make any council tax appeal.

Suggestions

• To get the most from your locale, look for a property that sits comfortably in its own plot, preferably surrounded on all sides or three sides by private garden/land.
• Sewage provision. If the house you buy is not on the sewage mains but has a septic tank and/or soak away, insist your solicitor confirms the arrangements when the answer to the question Sewerage provision is “private.” People who buy a house may be completely unaware that shortly they may need to replace the septic tank or soak away. Depending on the situation this can be £2,000 or £12,000! Not a good welcome present so forewarned is forearmed. Yet another failure of the Home Report (see below).
• Find out in advance what your Council Tax Banding, electricity costs per kilowatt hour and oil or mains  or LPG gas central heating costs, or coal or wood costs if not centrally heated, are likely to be locally. Actual or estimated heating and energy costs may not routinely available in the Home Report or otherwise. It was supposed to have been one of the reasons for the Home Report. Know in advance that mains gas central heating may not be available anywhere locally.  If not, oil and LPG can be trucked in - but at a price, with the latter the most expensive.
• If oil or LPG, look at the tanks to see if they need replacing. If oil, is the tank plastic? If so, is it cracked anywhere?
• If you are not young and fit and physically mobile, check to see how far your favoured property is from the nearest GP, community hospital and Accident and Emergency hospital. Also, how quickly you can reasonably expect to be ambulanced to the latter.Can your fancied house, if not already equipped, take a stair lift if it is not a bungalow? Are its door frames wide enough to accept a wheelchair? if not, can the property be adapted?
• If a house does not have a wow-factor in terms of size or facilities, look for other elements that will make an impact, such as view, architecture or spectacular living space; flexibility, possibility to extend the property or convert any secondary buildings or build a studio, granny unit, office or playroom. A property with recent planning permission in principle to build a 1.5 storey unit on spare land can be a particularly attractive proposition.
• Internet access. If this is a key factor, with highest possible Broadband speed, as it is for many now with over 75% of the under 60s having home and/or office computers, focus on Blairgowrie areas nearest the local telephone exchange to get the fastest speeds. Unfortunately, Blairgowrie and district are not in cabled areas now or in the near future, meaning the fastest speeds are not possible. Best bets are BT, Sky and Virgin. Currently, best speed is about 6 Mbps.
• Disability Council Tax Band reduction. If you are qualified for it you should get it reasonably promptly from the Perth and Kinross Council.  In its brochure given to the public Council states this is due to any person with physical disabilities living in the house. To qualify, one of the following conditions must apply: a room has been provided for the disabled person's specific needs; a second bathroom or second kitchen has been provided for use by the disabled person; where sufficient floor space has been provided to permit the use of a wheelchair within the property and that a wheelchair is being used.
• Noise and possible Council Tax banding reduction. If you are a newcomer or elderly or disabled, spend most of your time at home but can't enjoy your garden because of the constant sounds of road traffic or children swearing or car doors slamming say from a convenience store or public facility nearby, apply for a council tax banding deduction if you believe you have a right to do so (for example, not more than 6 months after you buy a Blairgowrie property).
• Rights of way. If you find out there was once a Council-approved right of way to your newly-acquired Blairgowrie property but it has now been blocked or fenced off and cannot be accessed by you, raise it as a further issue.
• Is the home on a floodplain? If so, what does it cost to insure annually? A key question a seller must answer. Always check with SEPA.
• Is there a Neighbourhood Watch in your area? If so, joining it and taking part can save up to 10% in annual insurance premiums.

Home Reports

On 20th May 2010 it was announced Home Reports are being phased out of the UK except for Scotland. Until this is announced for Scotland too, by the Scottish Government, they will continue to apply.  Home Reports are an expensive failure to both home buyers and particularly home sellers in many respects and this is one reason why Home Reports were discontinued in May 2010 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From 1 December 2008 every property in Scotland being sold was required to have a Home Report (in other parts of the UK a Home Information Pack (HIP) paid for by the person or family selling the property before they can sell it.  See http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/BuyingSelling/Home-Report. A Home Report or HIP is a new document designed to provide buyers with more information about homes they are thinking of buying before they submit an offer. It is part of a series of measures said to be introduced across Europe reflected in legislation to help cut out carbons emissions and tackle climate change. The Home Report is reputed to provide a measure of the overall energy efficiency of the home and its environmental impact and is required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The property's performance is rated in terms of energy use per square metre of floor area; energy efficiency based on fuel costs and environmental impact based on CO2 emissions. You, or more likely your selling solicitor, will be required to have a copy before your home is advertised for sale and to make a copy available to interested buyers of your home. The Home Report includes three separate reports; the Property Questionnaire; the Single Survey; and an Energy Report.

What is a Home Report in Scotland and how is it different from an English one?

See http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/BuyingSelling/Home-Report/prof/faqs/Q/editmode/on/forceupdate/on. 

Property Questionnaire, Single Survey and Energy Reporr, all three referred to below.

The Property Questionnaire

This asks you to answer questions about your home that only you are likely to know. Have you, for example, installed new replacement windows, or added an extension? Do any of your neighbours have the right to walk across your property to empty their bins? As far as you know, has your home ever had a problem with rot? These are the sort of questions you will be asked to answer. While many of them will be straightforward, you may not be clear about the answers to others. In some cases, your answer could raise questions at the conveyancing stage that should be dealt with now. If, for example, you made an alteration to your home, you will need to show that you obtained a building warrant if one was required and that you got planning consent if necessary. If you don't have these documents, then this is the time to take remedial action. If you are in any doubt, the solicitor you appoint to sell your home will be able to advise you on the best course of action. 

 The Single Survey

The Single Survey is a detailed survey of your home conducted by a qualified surveyor. It will also provide an estimate of market value. The survey will list the main features of your home and give an assessment of condition for each one. There are three scales, namely: Scale from 1 = no repairs necessary, to 3 = urgent repairs or replacement are needed now. If the survey for your home features a category 3 repair, you might want to consider carrying out the repair yourself before putting your home on the market. However, that may not always be the best solution. You can rely on your solicitor to advise you on whether it is better to repair or to sell your home as it is. You can also expect your solicitor to appoint a surveyor on your behalf who is familiar with, and sympathetic to, your area. 

The Energy Report

Provides a measure of how energy efficient your home is. It is done in pretty much the same way that dishwashers and other electrical appliances now display an energy rating. The report, which will be conducted by the surveyor who provides the Single Survey, also provides information on how you or any buyer could improve the energy efficiency of your home. Unfortunately, all who live in Blairgowrie or Perthshire  are not necessarily going to get a good energy rating on the homes they want to sell. Why not? Some Energy assessment scheme are a travesty. It boils down to the fact that unless you have mains piped-in gas as many cities and towns (including Blairgowrie) do you'll get a poor rating, despite the quality of local plumbing and heating. You can have a very efficient "green" boiler and it might well have a boiler-efficiency rating of 90% or above to a boiler inspector but unless you run it on mains gas the report will say your boiler is inefficient. Similarly, if you use electricity to heat hot water and cook by not mains but LPG gas (it has to be trucked in and put into a metal gas tank), or use oil (kerosene) from an oil tank on your property to heat your house you'll get a low rating. Why? Because LPG is regarded as inefficient for two reasons, it costs more than oil or mains gas. Both  the LPG and oil have to be trucked in. The UK Government and Scottish Governments have made no allowances at all for better efficiency ratings for homes in this region that have no piped-in gas, even when home heating - for example, from locally-sourced wood - is considered to be good from an environmental point of view. If you are disabled, there's no upfront way of checking out the disability-friendly qualities (for example, door widths for wheel chairs access) of the property in advance. No provision for this was made by the Scottish Government Instead, you have to view the house first, then ask formally to see the Home Report.

Open Homes and Gardens

Not yet locally but it is hoped this seasonal activity, so popular in Canada, USA, etc in attracting and retaining so many additional tourists in April or May or both will become established in Blairgowrie.  See  http://www.vagardenweek.org. This writer can say from personal experience how hugely interesting, culturally and environmentally stimulating and uniquely enjoyable the programme is. New York, Toronto and small towns elsewhere all have similar programmes to that in Virginia. It could be a huge success here in Blairgowrie too, perhaps start another first for Blair. Britain in Bloom and Scotland in Bloom are fine in their way but are much more limited in scope and don't usually bring visitors en masse. But in the USA and Canada Open Home Homes and Gardens are so hugely popular they increase visitors by 30-50% for the months involved. Plus, they lead to new friendships, referrals galore, much repeat business, encouragement to home owners to show off their homes and gardens and a recurring source of income to hosting organizations from the charges made to visit all the Open Homes and Gardens on specific days, in sequence. Some folk go to Virginia, Savannah, Toronto  etc, purely to coincide with the Open Houses and Gardens. It's been recommended for the special attention of Blairgowrie in Bloom, the Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company and the Blairgowrie Tourism Office of Visit Scotland.  

Why this special relevance to Blairgowrie? In his books "Blairgowrie and Rattray" and "More Old Blairgowrie and Rattray" author Maurice Fleming, once a writer with the Scotsman newspaper, described Blairgowrie as a "garden-embowered town." He noted the fine gardens on the slopes of the Hill 0'Blair, along the Perth Road and elsewhere, often with houses and shops in summer adorned with hanging baskets, turning the town info a floral delight. There are some lovely homes and gardens in Blairgowrie and district.

Written, administered and web-mastered in Blairgowrie, Scotland, by

Keith A. Forbes, at keithaforbes@sky.com  
© 2010. Revised: September 2, 2010