You must remember,it's not just Blairgowrie. There are an awful lot of towns and villages between Edinburgh and Aberdeen!Dundee has an airport,but ONE service? So these people have to travel to Edinburgh too!
I don't know about Cumbria,so can't compare.
Anyway,I don't really want to hijack thread,so back to Carlisle.
Well,there you go!
From this site--------------
http://www.world-gazetteer.com/fr/fr_gb.htm
Carlisle Pop 2004-----------------74,700
Dundee Pop 2004-----------------155,400
I rest my case!