Kirkmichael is a village located in Strathardle, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is north-northwest of Blairgowrie and east-northeast of Pitlochry on the A924 Bridge of Cally to Pitlochry road, and is linked to the A93 Perth to Aberdeen road by the B950. The village is centred around Kirkmichael Bridge over the River Ardle. The name Kirkmichael means church of (Saint) Michael; the Gaelic name is Cill Mhìcheil. The village dates back over a thousand years and was at one time an important market in the cattle trade between the Highlands and Lowlands with various drove roads converging on the village. The holding pens were on the rough ground known as the Market Moor near Whitefield and the market itself was on the grass area of Williamston, once common ground but now privately owned. Money traditionally had to be exchanged over running water and this was done at the nearby Sillerburn. The area became popular as a holiday resort following Queen Victoria's building of Balmoral Castle in nearby Deeside and many of the local shooting lodges, or "big houses" as they are known, were built at that time. Traditionally they were occupied for "the season" of August and September, which included the all-important Glorious Twelfth, when grouse shooting started. The village The village is split into two by the River Ardle. On the north side is the A924 (Main Street) with Kirkmichael parish church and graveyard, Session House community centre, Kirkmichael Hotel, shop, garage and traditional properties including the former police station and old dairy dating from the 19th century. On the south side are the primary school, Bannerfield, the fire station, the original part of the village known as Williamston, the village hall, the derelict Free Kirk, more recent properties in Sillerburn Road and Whitefield View, Sillerburn Cemetery, Balnald and Balnakilly. The population is approximately 150. The original village, known as Williamston, sits above the school on the old road from Blairgowrie to Blair Atholl, which entered the village past the Hall and Old Kirk and exited by the road to Balnakilly. The original inn sat here at the School Corner on the village green which is now private property. The old road now forms part of the Cateran Trail long-distance trail, a circular route taking in Blairgowrie, Bridge of Cally, Kirkmichael, Enochdhu, Spittal of Glenshee, Kirkton of Glenisla and Alyth, which takes around five days to walk. Primary school