Crieff

Crieff sits on the southern slope of the Knock, a wooded hill above the River Earn, at the point where the gentle farmland of the Perthshire lowlands gives way to the first folds of the Highlands. For centuries this position made it a natural crossing point and marketplace, and the town's Victorian and Georgian streets, built from local sandstone, still climb the hillside in neat terraces above the strath. It is a compact, easy town to explore on foot, with the A85 threading through the centre on its way west towards Loch Earn and Crianlarich.

In the eighteenth century Crieff was one of Scotland's great cattle markets, hosting the October Tryst when drovers brought herds south from as far as Caithness and the Outer Hebrides to sell to Lowland buyers. That trading heritage has long since given way to tourism, and Crieff has spent the past 150 years as a holiday town, first for Victorians taking the hydropathic cure and now for visitors drawn by whisky, gardens, and easy access to Highland Perthshire. The result is a town that feels lived-in rather than manufactured for visitors, with a working high street, independent shops, and a strong sense of its own history.

Top things to do in Crieff

Crieff punches well above its size for things to see and do, with several genuinely nationally significant attractions on its doorstep.

• The Glenturret Distillery — Founded in 1763, Glenturret claims to be Scotland's oldest working distillery. Tours take in the copper stills and traditional production methods, and the site is also home to The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, a Michelin-starred restaurant unusual for being based at a working distillery.
• Drummond Castle Gardens — A short drive from town, these formal terraced gardens were laid out from 1630 and later embellished by the Victorians, with elaborate parterres, topiary, and a sundial at their centre. The gardens have been used as a filming location, though the castle itself is not open to visitors.
• Crieff Hydro — Opened in 1868 as a hydropathic spa, this hillside resort remains a major feature of the town, with extensive grounds and a long list of outdoor and family activities open to day visitors as well as guests.
• Innerpeffray Library — A few miles outside Crieff, this is reputed to be Scotland's oldest free public lending library, founded in 1680, with a fascinating collection of early printed books.
• Crieff Visitor Centre — Home to Caithness Glass, where visitors can watch glassmaking demonstrations, alongside shops selling Scottish crafts and a garden centre.
• Strathearn and the surrounding hills — Crieff is a good base for walking, with routes up the Knock behind the town giving views over Strathearn to the mountains beyond, and longer trails heading into Glen Turret and the Sma' Glen.

Getting to Crieff

Crieff lies on the A85, roughly 18 miles west of Perth and around an hour's drive north of Edinburgh or Glasgow via the M9 and A9. There is no working railway station in the town today — the old Crieff line closed to passengers in the 1960s — so the practical way in is by car, or by regular bus services connecting Crieff to Perth, Stirling, and Comrie. Perth is the nearest mainline rail hub, with onward connections to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.

Best time to visit Crieff

Late spring and summer, from May to September, bring the longest days and the best chance of good weather for exploring Drummond Castle Gardens and the surrounding hills, with the gardens at their most colourful in June and July. Autumn is a strong alternative, when Strathearn's woodland turns and the distillery and hydro both settle into a quieter, cosier pace. Winter can be atmospheric, particularly with snow on the surrounding hills, though some outdoor attractions reduce their hours.

Where to stay in Crieff

Crieff Hydro is the town's best-known accommodation, a large Victorian resort hotel set in its own grounds with a wide range of leisure facilities. Beyond the Hydro, the town has a good spread of independent guesthouses and B&Bs within walking distance of the high street, along with self-catering cottages scattered through Strathearn and the surrounding glens. For those keen to explore further into Highland Perthshire, Crieff makes a convenient base within easy reach of Loch Earn, Comrie, and the road west towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

Food and drink in Crieff

The high street has a good concentration of independent places to eat. Campbell's Bakery is a popular stop for breakfast pastries and fresh bread, while Café Rhubarb serves homemade bakes and light lunches. The Crieff Food Co combines a food hall stocking produce from more than 70 Scottish suppliers with a café serving breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. For something more substantial, The Meadow Inn and The Tower are both family-run pubs known for hearty, locally sourced food, and Craobh Restaurant on the high street serves open sandwiches and other dishes built around Scottish ingredients. At the top end, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant at the distillery offers Michelin-starred fine dining, while Crieff Hydro's East restaurant serves Asian-inspired sharing plates using Perthshire produce.