Beach campsites near Blairgowrie with campfires

Lying on the banks of the River Ericht, the Perthshire town of Blairgowrie is the gateway to Glenshee, best-known for its ski centre but also a destination for year-round sports including golfing, mountain biking, abseiling and paragliding. Blairgowrie is also popular with golfers and the River Ericht is known for its excellent salmon fishing. The town is also the starting point for the 64-mile (103-kilometre) circular Cateran Trail that follows the historic drove roads long ago used by cattle rustlers, and the Angus Glens and Cairngorms National Park are also within easy reach. 

From Blairgowrie’s town centre, you can follow the river 1.5 miles (two kilometres) to the history-soaked waterfalls and woodlands of Cargill’s Leap. In the town centre. Blairgowrie Holiday Park has nightly and seasonal pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes, as well as a handful of lodges with hot tubs.

Spring and summer are the best seasons for visiting the area. While days of hot, sunny weather are very much hit and miss, you can be sure of long daylight hours and mild temperatures. To avoid the biggest summertime crowds, try to avoid weekends and the school holidays in July and August. Autumn, though potentially wet and chilly, can be a good alternative: the crowds will have gone and the countryside will be ablaze in rich colours.

• Wild camping is legal throughout Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Most organised campsites in the area are open only seasonally: Check dates if planning to travel outside of peak season.
• You can reach Blairgowrie by bus from Dundee, which is connected to Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond by both bus and train. Local buses can get you to most nearby places of interest, but having your own transport is preferable for heading into the Angus Glens.
• For stocking up on food and camping gear, visit Dundee’s High Street.