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OUR TOWN
Crieff is a town full of energy - a place where locals and visitors can experience, explore and feel at home. Crieff is a destination that blends heritage and history, the best of outdoor thrills, local creativity, and a true sense of community.
Crieff offers an outdoor playground that’s just waiting to be explored. Action Glen is the ultimate spot for an adrenaline rush, with everything from Alpaca trekking to Zip wires. Comrie Croft offers fantastic trails for cycling, walking, camping and glamping - perfect for a weekend getaway or a quick escape from everyday life. Our town is the perfect base to dive into the best outdoor beauty and action that Scotland has to offer.
Culture in Crieff is thriving. Strathearn Arts brings the community together with everything from live theatre to art exhibitions and workshops. Nearby, Strathearn Gallery brings contemporary art to the forefront, featuring work by local and national artists.
And at the heart of it all, Crieff just feels like home. It’s the local cafés where you’ll catch up with friends, the independent shops offering something special, and the friendly faces you see every day. Crieff welcomes you with open arms, whoever you are, making it easy to relax and enjoy the pace of life here. The town is small enough to feel cosy, but big enough to offer rich experiences around every corner.
OUR HISTORY
Crieff isn’t just a pretty place - it’s a town with a story, and it’s one that’s been written over centuries.
Back in the 1700s, Crieff was the beating heart of Scotland’s cattle trade. This was a drovers’ town - a place where thousands of Highland cattle thundered down from the hills, herded by tough, weather-beaten drovers who knew every inch of the land. When they reached Crieff, the town came alive. The streets filled with the noise of traders, storytellers, and travellers all gathering for the famous October Tryst - one of Scotland’s biggest and boldest cattle markets.
But it wasn’t just about cattle. Crieff became a melting pot of people, culture, and craic (Craic (/kræk/ KRAK) or crack is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation) - a meeting point between the Highlands and Lowlands, where deals were struck, friendships were made, and a dram or two was never far away.
The town even played its part in Scotland’s rebellious past. Bonnie Prince Charlie himself gathered his commanders at The Drummond Arms Hotel, holding his war counsel here as he plotted his route south, before the Battle of Culloden.
And Crieff’s story didn’t stop there. In the Victorian era, it became the home of a whole new kind of wellness (doing wellness before wellness was a thing!) when Crieff Hydro Hotel opened its doors in 1868 as one of the first hydropathic retreats. Visitors travelled from far and wide to “take the waters” and enjoy a bit of luxury in the clean Perthshire air - a tradition that continues today as the Hydro remains at the heart of Crieff life.
The Crieff Highland Gathering, established in 1870, is one of Scotland’s oldest Highland Games. With its roots in celebrating Scottish heritage, it continues to draw crowds each year for traditional events like tossing the caber, highland dancing, and piping competitions. The Gathering is a key part of Crieff’s cultural fabric, blending history, community spirit, and a love for Scotland’s unique traditions.
More recently, Crieff has made its mark on the world in a different way - Hollywood stars Ewan McGregor and Denis Lawson (Ewan's uncle) both grew up here, proving that there’s something in the Crieff air that breeds a bit of star quality.
That energy and spirit still runs through Crieff today. You’ll find it in the warm welcome from locals, and the sense that this town has always been a place where people come together, share stories, and make memories.
OUR COMMUNITY
Crieff isn’t just a town - it’s a community where everyone pitches in and makes this place feel like home. It’s where neighbours become friends, where local events bring everyone together, and where clubs, groups, and volunteers keep things buzzing year-round.
Crieff’s community groups are the heartbeat of the town. Friends of Macrosty Park, Friends of Crieff Cemetery, LOGOS Youth Project to name just a few work tirelessly for the good of the town and the community. These aren’t just groups they’re the people who care about making Crieff the best it can be.
Then there are the local sports clubs that bring everyone together, like Crieff Juniors Football Club, Crieff Golf Club, Crieff and Strathearn Rugby Club and Crieff Bowling Club. These clubs aren’t just about competition - they’re about community spirit, friendships, and a whole lot of fun. Everyone’s welcome to join in and get active, no matter your age or ability.
And then there's the local events that make Crieff shine. From the lively Crieff Highland Gathering to events at Macrosty Park and the chatter at the Crieff Markets, there’s always something happening to bring people together. These are the moments when Crieff truly comes to life - when locals and visitors mix, share, and celebrate what makes the town so special.
Crieff isn’t just about living here, it’s about being here. It’s a town where everyone gets involved, where connections are made, and where a sense of belonging is always on the agenda.
