Tour Scotland Photograph Keathbank Mill Blairgowrie Perthshire

Tour Scotland photograph of Keathbank Mill, River Ericht, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Keithbank Mill is one of series of water powered textile mills situated on the banks of the River Ericht. It dates from the 1820s, but is dominated by a two storeyed, with basement and attic, 8 bay jute spinning mill dating from 1864. This mill is now converted into apartments. It was opened in 1864, and finally closed in 1979.



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Tour Scotland Photograph Oakbank Mill Blairgowrie Perthshire

Tour Scotland photograph of Oakbank Mill on the River Ericht, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. This Mill was the first place in the world where jute was successfully spun by machine. Built in 1830 the mill has been long closed. At one time the Grimond family controlled 4 of the twelve mills, including Oakbank, in the Blairgowrie area, having originally owned a lint mill on the Lornty Burn. James Grimond was the first owner. On James Grimond's death David Grimond, his nephew, took over. Oakbank Mill was burned down once in the spring of 1872, the fire arising from a gas jet igniting some of the tow.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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June Photograph Blairgowrie Scotland

June photograph of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Blairgowrie lies in the Strathmore valley and straddles the River Ericht, which flows into the River Isla and then the River Tay. Rattray is on the east bank and Blairgowrie is on the west. The town expanded greatly in the 19th century around the many jute mills on the river. It is the market town for the surrounding area and a centre for holidaymakers. The town of Rattray dates back to the mid 11th century. Soft fruits such as raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are grown locally.

Tour Scotland Photograph Strawberry Salesman Blairgowrie Perthshire

Tour Scotland photograph of a Strawberry salesman in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Blairgowrie and Rattray’s location led to its growth as the soft fruit capital of Scotland, boosted particularly by the introduction of strawberry and raspberry cultivation to the area in the late nineteenth century.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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Tour Scotland Photograph Video Riverside Methodist Church Blairgowrie

Tour Scotland photograph of the Riverside Methodist Church, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. In February 1885 the community of Blairgowrie and Rattray discovered that a prominent local resident, David Borrie had left most of his fortune to the building of a Methodist Church in the town. This was surprising as all his life Mr Borrie had been involved with the Established Church of Scotland, then the Free Church, of which he was an elder, and had attended communion there a few days before his death. As a consequence of this bequest, the Wesleyan Methodist Conference appointed a minister, Rev. Edward Brailsford, and after two years of meeting in the Mechanics’ Institute, with open air services occasionally in the Wellmeadow, the present church was opened in August 1887. The church has now closed.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.