Crieff – Perthshire’s Highland Gateway with a Wild Side

Crieff – a compact Highland town with big character – sits poised on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, where the soft lowlands of Perthshire dissolve into rugged mountain territory. It’s a place of layered history, nature-rich drama, and a quietly cool cultural streak that punches above its size. The town derives its name from the Gaelic word ‘craobh’ – meaning trees – a nod to the wooded landscape that cradles it.

Once the bustling hub of Scotland’s 18th-century cattle trade, Crieff carries its mercantile past with pride – drovers from across the Highlands once gathered here for wild markets, and a touch of that earthy, independent spirit still lingers in its winding lanes and stone-fronted buildings. There’s grandeur too – Crieff was once a favourite of Victorian travellers seeking ‘restorative’ air, giving rise to opulent villas and the stately Crieff Hydro – a landmark spa hotel set above the town, still drawing seekers of fresh air and fine views.

Culture here comes laced with whisky and wilderness. The Glenturret Distillery, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, has been crafting single malts since 1763 – now also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant that pairs Highland flavours with serious culinary flair. Crieff’s galleries and indie makers reflect a creative pulse – the kind you find in places that sit just far enough off the radar to nurture their own beat.

Step outside and the land answers back – the Knock of Crieff offers easy hill climbs with sweeping views across the Strathearn valley, while the MacRosty Park, laced with Victorian charm, is a green oasis complete with river walks and ancient trees. Further afield, the Sma’ Glen, Loch Turret, and Ben Chonzie draw walkers, bikers, and Highland rovers seeking solitude and elevation. Just 30 minutes north, the Tay Valley and Aberfeldy roll out cinematic river scenes and Highland drama – all kayaking, gorge walks, and poetic wilds. Push a little further and you’ll hit the southern reaches of Cairngorms National Park – 4,500km² of unfiltered Scottish wilderness, only an hour away.

You’re also within touching distance of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs to the west – Crieff is a gateway in every sense.

It’s brilliantly placed – under 90 minutes from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and just 30 minutes from Perth. But Crieff never feels hurried. It’s where the Highlands begin – and where the pace slows, the landscape opens, and tradition meets quiet evolution. Scotland, distilled.