Old Photograph Town Square Rattray Blairgowrie Perthshire Scotland

Old photograph of people and shops in the Town Square in Rattray by Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Blairgowrie town expanded hugely in the 19th century thanks to the employment provided by the many textile mills which were built along the River Ericht. Soft fruit growing, mainly raspberries and strawberries developed in the 20th century and became a very important part of the town's economy. Berry pickers were brought in by bus from Perth and Dundee, and large encampments were set up on farms for pickers from further afield, mainly from the Glasgow area, who made this their annual holiday. They were joined by the travelling community who congregated here for the berry season. The coming of the railway revolutionised the textile and soft fruit trade, but the last train ran in 1960.



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