Perth

14 - 20 February

Perth is not far from Dunkeld, so with our trusty Fiat 500 we did a bit of exploration of areas not readily reached by train and bus.

We visited Gleneagles resort, famous not only for its golf but also as the place where the Gleneagles agreement was signed. This was when, in 1977, commonwealth presidents and prime ministers agreed to discourage contact and competition between their sporting organisations from South Africa as part of their support for the international campaign against apartheid.

One day we followed the coast road to Arbroath, passing through towns like Carnoustie. Let's just say our appreciation of Australian beaches and places to camp by the coast was reinforced.

Above Perth is Kinnoull Hill. We walked up one morning to get a view of the town and see the castle wreck that lies on the edge of the cliff. After recent snow and cold weather, the path up was pretty slippy (a new word added to our vocabulary). To be honest we were dreading the walk back down! Fortunately we found an alternative meandering path that faced south for much of the route, so the ice was virtually non-existent until near the bottom of the hill.

We drove to Dundee one day, only about 25 miles (! miles!) away.

We had a grand day there, doing a self-guided city walk and a wander through the city and surrounds.

Scottish Gaelic - indecipherable!

This is a Desperate Dan, a famous Dundee cartoon figure

We spent one day driving to St Andrews, home of golf and a thriving university town, probably the most vibrant, bustling city or town we've visited in Scotland.

There are four markings like this in St Andrews, and another in the High St here in Perth. They identify who and where someone was burnt at the stake during the Scottish Reformation.

Sucks to be a witch!

The remains of St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Cathedral. There's been a church on this site since 1158

We dropped the car back after a few days and explored Perth on foot. 

Perth is a small city, on the Tay River as was Dunkeld last week.

Historically the city is located here because Perth is the lowest place the Tay could be forded reliably. The city grew around where merchants could bring their goods to market.

Perth has suffered some significant floods over the years, both historically and recently.

As a result, a few years ago, a gated levee was built along the river.

Here under one of the two road bridges are historic flood markers.

Fair Maid's House, likely the oldest secular building in the city

The Fair Maid statue in the High St

Curling is a big sport around here. There are half a dozen or more curling centres in Scotland.

They run come and try curling sessions, but unfortunately none of them coincided with when and where we'll be.

This historic stone is in the Perth museum.

The 1396 Battle of the North Inch (also known as the Battle of the Clans) was a staged battle between the Clan Chattan and the traditional enemies Clan Cameron or Clan Davidson.

Thirty men were selected to represent each side in front of spectators, including King Robert III of Scotland and his court.

The Clan Chattan killed all but one of their opponents, at a cost of 19 deaths on their own side, and were awarded the victory.

Now off to Glasgow, Scotland's biggest city, for the next 4 days before our final stop in the English midlands.