Coordinates: 56°35′31″N 3°20′24″W / 56.592018°N 3.340137°W
| Blairgowrie | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Ghobharaidh | |
| Scots: Blairgowrie | |
  Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 7,965 [1] (2001 census) est. 8,090[2] (2006) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Perth and Kinross |
| Lieutenancy area | Perth and Kinross |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BLAIRGOWRIE |
| Postcode district | PH10 |
| Dialling code | 01250 |
| Police | Tayside |
| Fire | Tayside |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Perth and North Perthshire |
| Scottish Parliament | Perth Mid Scotland and Fife |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Blairgowrie and Rattray is a town and twin burgh in Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
Contents |
Toponomy
Blairgowrie and Rattray (Blàr Ghobharaidh and Raitear in Gaelic, Blairgowrie - likely Scottish Gaelic Blàr Ghobharaidh and Rattray - possibly from an English language
History
The town expanded greatly in the 19th century around the many jute mills on the river. It is the market town for the surrounding area and a centre for holidaymakers. Blairgowrie is well known as a passing point for tourists and ski-ers. The town of Rattray dates back to the mid 11th century.
Geography
The second largest town in Perth & Kinross this twin burgh lies in the Strathmore valley and straddles the River Ericht, which flows into the River Isla and then the River Tay. Rattray is on the east bank and Blairgowrie is on the west.
Economy
Much of the expanding population works in the nearby cities of Dundee or Perth. Soft fruits such as raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are grown locally.
Education
Blairgowrie currently has four schools:
Sport
- Football
Blairgowrie and Rattray is home to the Scottish Junior Football East Region Premier League side Blairgowrie F.C. as well as the Scottish Amateur Football Association sides Rattray A.F.C and Balmoral United A.F.C. which play in the Perthshire Amateur League.
- Skiing
The Glenshee Ski Centre in Glenshee is some 18 miles to the north on the A93 Braemar road.
- Rattray
The traditional ball game of Rattray no longer takes place, but the Rattray silver ball which was the trophy retained by the winners is still in existence. It is believed to have been donated by Sylvester Rattray of Nether Persie who became minister of Rattray in 1591 and continued there until his death in 1623.[3] The Rattray silver ball is now kept at Perth Museum and Art Gallery.[4]
Notable residents
Blairgowrie was the birthplace of:
- Andy Clyde, actor
- George Anton, actor
- Hamish Henderson, famous British Soldier and Scottish Folklore Ethnologist
Blairgowrie is the hometown of:
- Belle Stewart, singer
- Andrew Clark, actor
- Ross Paterson, DJ & music producer [1]
- Jake Findlay goalkeeper [2] [Aston Villa, Luton Town]
- Andy M. Stewart, vocalist and guitarist for Silly Wizard
Twin cities
See also
- List of places in Perth and Kinross
- Kindrogan House Field Studies Centre
References
- ^ "Comparative Population Profile: Blairgowrie Locality". Scotland's Census Results Online. 2001-04-29. http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=blairgowrie&mainLevel=Locality. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data
- ^ Perthshire Diary - The Rattray silver ball - January 30th 1623
- ^ Silver ball of Rattray
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
