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In 1200, it gained the title of Royal Burgh. Kings and generals stayed here, in the great houses around the town. During the great burning of 1715, it was razed to the ground by retreating Jacobites. Thanks to the handloom industry, however, it was later to rise again.
Auchterarder is known locally as The Lang Toon - a name derived from its extended High Street. Today, little of the original Burgh of 1200 remains. Indeed you will notice that the town dates largely from the 18th Century and is now famous for the quality of its shops. This is a window shopper's paradise!
The narrow fields and woodlands of the area lead into narrow Glen Eagles, a name derived from the Gaelic 'eaglais' meaning church. Enjoy the panoramic views that were the inspiration for the location of the world famous Gleneagles Hotel.
Mention of Gleneagles leads the mind inevitably to golf. There is no doubt that this is an area beloved of golfers, providing glorious scenery and challenging courses not only at Gleneagles but also in Auchterarder, Whitemoss by Aberuthven and Dunning. Horse riding, shooting, fishing and falconry can also be enjoyed here.
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Explore Celtic chapels and Benedictine abbeys
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History addicts will be enthralled by this area. Explore Pictish forts, Roman roads, Celtic chapels and Benedictine abbeys. Literature lovers will be fascinated by Innerpeffray library, the oldest surviving public library in Scotland.
Like Auchterarder itself and Aberuthven (a small village to the East), Blackford has a peaceful timeless quality. Lying at the foot of the Ochill Hills, the quality of its water has been famous for centuries. Today, water from this source (Highland Spring & Gleneagles Spring Water) is bottled at two plants and is sold internationally.
Braco is a small village close to the ancient Ardoch Roman Camp guarding the approach to the Antonine Wall which you can still trace. On the way, visit Tullibardine Chapel - a perfect example of a 15 & 16th century church.
The small village of Dunning is also heavily steeped in history. It can boast an Iron Age fort, a 1st century AD Roman camp and the 12th century Norman Tower of St Serf. It was here it is said St Serf killed a dragon! The church also houses the Dupplin Cross - a fine example of Pictish stonework said to have been erected by Kenneth MacAlpin to mark the union of Scots and Picts. To the west is a more macabre monument to Maggie Wall, who was burnt at the stake as a witch in 1657.
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Looking from the steep sided glens of the Ochil Hills across the broad strath of the River Earn, and with the Grampian Mountains northward, Auchterarder sits amongst some of Scotland's most stunning scenery.
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