Perth, Scotland UK

by WBlackwell on October 14, 2017

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There are basically 3 ways to get to/from Plockton sans auto the I know. One is the train from Glasgow to the town of Mallaig from whence you take a ferry to Armadale on Skye then a bus to Kyle and then bus train or thumb to Plockton, I have done that route but only in good weather it is a great trip. This time I took the bus from Glasgow via Fort William. I runs along Loch Lomond, then through Glencoe ending up in Kyle of Lochalsh where I waited 45 minutes for the train.

The more common run is by train from Glasgow or Edinburgh via Inverness. This is a long day as the train from inverness to Plockton is only 2-3 times a day.That’s how I left at 12:21. It wasn’t a good day for pictures and my window was a mess but this station stood out. Note the barrel/train flower boxes. I was heading to Ayr but I realized when planning I’d arrive around half 9PM so opted to stop in Perth for 2 nights.

Since I’m an old geezer and my kit weighs about 3.5 stone (45#ish) I try and land a hotel close to the rail station. The Station Hotel fit. Built in 1888 it is a well kept pile. Even I could hit it with a golf ball from the station. Ok, on the bounce.

My room is the double windows under the top left arch. The second floor in Scotland as the first is called ground. Third floor to me.

I don’t usually say much about most places where I stay but The Station Hotel deserves a shoutout £102/$135 two nights with very big and good breakfast. Full Monty and/or continental. The large rooms were clean and the bed was perfect. Good wifi (very important to a blogger) and a few minutes walk to High St.

I went for a short walk to get my bearings and some grub for the night. I’m actually getting used to warm beer and even gin neat.

The next day I decided to log some miles (7.43) and see the city. Let me say that Perth is a nice enough place and easy to walk but there is not a whole lot to do. All the bigger churches were closed and no castles in town although a few near by for next time. There was a nice wee museum and gallery, the Black Watch Museum, some great parks, and Scotland’s longest River, The Tay.

I first met the Tay in Dundee. Here in Perth it is narrower, faster and as you can see by the flood gates and high-water marks, prone to flood.

This old church across from the river seems to be private residences now. The supports are a form of flying buttresses, both functional and artistic.

My first stop after the river was the John Fergusson Gallery. Fergusson was an important member of Scotland’s art community in the early 20th century. A contemporary and friend of the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh and husband of the celebrated dancer, collaborator and frequent model, Margaret Morris. Housed in at the old waterworks building.

From the Fergusson I headed across the city center to the Black Watch Museum housed in Balhousie Castle, it celebrates the history from the formation of the Highland regiment, The Black Watch from inception in 1725. The origins of the name are misty with it possibly because, after the Jacobite uprising, the King George II from loyal Highlanders to form “a watch” to prevent future uprisings and the dark plaid of their uniforms. It is a most proud unit known for it’s bravery in the French Wars and on through WWI & WWII to the present.

You can lift both the musket and bolt-action rifle to understand their heft and how difficult to carry.

This made me laugh.

The Duke of Wales is the official commander

So hard to take good photos of art behind glass with bright lights, this was the only one worth posting of a Black Watch minister.

After egressing I walked through a large park where the local rugby club plays. That’s a game I want to experience live.

Street art through the city

The Thistle, a symbol of Scotland dates from King Alexander II (1240-1286) when a group of Norsemen attempted a late night attack on Clansmen. The Norse removed shoes for stealth but that was thwarted when one stepped on a thistle and yelled out in pain. Note the flowers here in mid-October.