Alyth & the surrounding area
Although there has probably been a Christian settlement in the area from around the 6th century, Alyth was first mentioned in Royal charters signed by King William the Lion, King of Scotland, around 1200AD making the town of Alyth approximately 1000 years old.
The modern town of Alyth, overlooking Strathmore in Perthshire, nestles in the foothills of the Grampian Mountains, close to the Cairngorm National Park, and is centrally located in the very heart of Scotland. The town has a population of about 2300 and has grown up around the Alyth Burn or Queich, where mills previously used the fast flowing waters for power, and traders would gather in the market square to sell their animals and produce.
The Cateran Trail
Close to Alyth lies the Cateran Trail, a 60 mile sign-posted walk winding from Blairgowrie to Bridge of Cally, taking in some breathtaking scenery in Glen Isla and up to the Spittal of Glenshee close to the Glenshee ski centre.
The Cateran Trail is based on historic drove roads used by cattle drovers and rustlers back in the Middle Ages and nowadays provides an ideal way to relax and enjoy the beautiful Perthshire country side. In the summer the Alyth Folk museum provides further insight into country life in Strathmore in days gone by.
Local Amenities
Alyth is still a vibrant community that has three small supermarkets, an excellent ironmongers and a good variety of other shops, many selling a variety of quality local produce. For those needing refreshment and sustenance the town is well served with pubs, inns and cafes as well as a fish and chip shop and a Chinese takeaway. On the outskirts of the town, and within a 10 mile radius, there are several quality restaurants, many of which specialise in local produce.
For those requiring more extensive shopping, there are large Tesco stores in Blairgowrie and Forfar, while very good shopping centres are located in the cities of Dundee and Perth less than half and hours drive away. Aberdeen and Edinburgh are about an hour's drive away, with Royal Deeside and Pitlochry being other popular tourist destinations under an hour away.
