Last few days of Christmas Trail in Blairgowrie and Rattray

Date: Monday 16 December

There are just a few days left to take part in the Christmas Trail in Blairgowrie and Rattray and be in with a chance of winning a special prize.

Entries to the Christmas Trail, which is open to everyone, close on Saturday, December 14th . More than 30 businesses around the town are each displaying a number that has been drawn by a local school pupil. To be in with a chance of winning a prize, entrants must match the number to the name of the business. Entry forms are available in each of the participating businesses and completed forms should be handed into the BaRI Building.

The Christmas Trail is part of a wider Christmas Festival in Perthshire’s largest town this festive season.

One of the highlights of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Christmas Festival was the late-night opening event on Tuesday, December 3 rd , which saw a number of local businesses in the town stay open late to give local residents and visitors to the town an opportunity to do their Christmas shopping locally.

Kate Davies from Adventure Into Books is chair of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Business Association (BARBA), which is organising the late-night opening event and the competitions.

She said: “The weather outside may have been frightful on Tuesday last week but our independent retailers provided a warm welcome to shoppers at our late-night opening event – and the snowy conditions certainly added to the Christmas-y atmosphere!

“The Strathmore Schools Pipe Band and Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band entertained shoppers in the Wellmeadow, playing through the snow, while the carol singers from the Women’s Walk and Talk Group visited many of the businesses that were open on the night and were also wonderful.

“The festival feel was further enhanced by Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network who served delicious, warming mulled wine, and Sholach Trees with their beautiful locally-grown Christmas trees and infectious festive cheer.

“Shopping in person and having the opportunity to chat to local shop keepers who know their stock and why they chose it really is the nicest way to do it, and of course, the treats on offer – everything from prosecco to mince pies - made shopping feel like a party!

“On behalf of the team at BARBA, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who braved the weather and came out to enjoy some festive shopping.

“Thanks also to all the volunteer groups who supported the event and to all the shop-keepers and business owners for going the extra mile and making the evening a wee bit more special, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

“With Christmas still a couple of weeks away, there are many more opportunities to pop in and see what gifts you can find locally that are that bit more personal – you can be sure of a warm welcome and will find something to suit all tastes.

“And remember to submit your entries for the Christmas Trail to be in with the chance to win a prize!”

Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) is supporting the Christmas Festival. Chair Linda Tait commented: “The late-night opening evening was a wonderful experience and the town looked very festive in the snow.

“BRDT’s BaRI Building was a hive of activity with wreath-making with Sholach Trees and pupils from Blairgowrie High School selling their specially designed reusable bags, while our Booklore shop was full of happy shoppers, carol singers and volunteers from Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine enjoying a festive get together!

“We are pleased to be able to support BARBA and its ongoing efforts to highlight the fantastic selection of independent retailers here in Blairgowrie and Rattray and would encourage as many people as possible to discover for themselves the pleasure of shopping locally.”

Business owner and award-winning florist Jillian Page from Something Special Flowers added: “The late-night opening evening is always lovely with lots of entertainment as well as the shopping on offer, and this year was no exception.

“It is great to be involved in events like this that support the independent businesses in our local community, and this year we’re also taking part in the Christmas Trail, which is a lot of fun. The children who have designed the festive-themed numbers for the shop windows have all done an amazing job and they look fantastic!”

Other highlights of the Christmas Festival have included a Farmers’ and Producers’ Market, the Christmas Lights switch-on event in the Wellmeadow and a traditional panto from award-winning local amateur dramatic group the Blairgowrie Players.

And a Christmas window display competition for shops and business in the town will be judged by representatives from the Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN) – winners of the Blairgowrie Advertiser Community Group of the Year Award this year.

For more information on BARBA, email admin@barba.org.uk

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk