14 September 2022
This walk started from the centre of Blairgowrie. We reached the bridge over the wide River Ericht and headed upstream along the riverside path. There were several viewpoints where we looked down at the turbulent and fast flowing river.
One viewpoint was the site of Cargill’s Leap. Donald Cargill was a Presbyterian minister and one of the Covenanters who pledged to maintain their own way of worship following signing of the National Covenant in 1638. During the latter half of Charles II reign, Presbyterianism was outlawed by the Scottish Parliament and many groups met illegally. The meetings were often broken up by the military; it is said that on one occasion Cargill escaped by leaping across the falls. This certainly looks like it would have been an impressive and potentially dangerous leap.
We passed a number of disused textile mills. These were what made Blairgowrie prosperous – in 1860 there were eleven water powered mills employing 1600 people. Today these are a mix of derelict buildings and mills which have been or are being converted into desirable apartments and even large houses.
We climbed higher and away from the river. The land became more open with views to Mount Blair.
Suddenly we reached a path on the left and turned the corner. We had reached The Knockie – a fine viewpoint for Blairgowrie and the Sidlaw Hills in the distance. The view also takes in Newton Castle and Ardblair Castle. Around the time of Robert the Bruce, Lady Jean Drummond of Newton Castle fell in love with one of the Blairs of Ardblair Castle. The two families were engaged in a violent feud over neighbouring land so a union between the two families was out of the question. Lady Jean was heartbroken and is thought to have wandered out over the marshes never to return – her ghostly figure, dressed in green silk, is said to haunt the two castles, pining for her lost love.
We descended back down a grassy then surfaced lane, passing Newton Castle, now a private house obscured by trees. Conveniently the walk led us down the High Street where we succumbed to the temptation of an ice cream and sat near the river watching some workmen clear a sluice gate.
It was a relatively easy walk but there was a lot to see!
Where's Kathryn? 