We started out July with a weekend trip to Perth.
We attended the Scottish Game Fair, an event put on by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. They had over 300 exhibitors, and a variety of food, displays, demonstrations and various competitions. The fair was held on the grounds of Scone Palace. We enjoyed walking around the exhibits, watching the demonstrations and competitions and of course John had to do a little shopping at the fishing vendors.
The falconry exhibit was amazing to see up close.
After the fair we walked up to the palace, finding a zipline on the way! Of Course, John had to take it for a ride.
After the goofing around we then took a tour of Scone Palace
Scone Palace was constructed (by recasting a 16th-century palace) in 1808 and completed in 1812. It has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, (on the Stone of Destiny) including Macbeth and Robert The Bruce.
The grounds of the palace were the first place of introduction to Britain of the Douglas-fir tree species, after being introduced by David Douglas. The palace grounds is also home to many peacocks, including a few rare male albinos.
Perth is a beautiful town and we enjoyed the 2 nights that we spent there. We look forward to getting the chance to go back again.
We headed North, where we stopped in a small village called Stanley. The village of Stanley was built to house the workers of the Stanley Mill, a cotton mill established in 1787 and was responsible for 200 years of cotton production. It was a purpose-built mill, with accommodation, school, shops and other facilities for the millworkers. In the 19th century, the dormitory village employed up to 1200 people.
During the 1960's and 1970's the mill was in decline and finally closed down in 1989. After that the mill fell into dereliction. The buildings were later renovated and turned into private flats and a museum depicting life in the 19th century and the story of the mill.
We continued north to Dunkeld, where we would be staying for the next 2 nights at the Hilton Dunkeld House. The Dunkeld house sits on 280 acres of woodlands on the banks of the River Tay.
It was built between 1898 and 1900 for the 7th Duke of Atholl. It replaced an older Dunkeld House built in 1676. The new house was built with stone taken from a grand, but unfinished, palace started by the 4th Duke of Atholl in 1828 and demolished in 1899. The "new" Dunkeld House also recycled features such as fireplaces and wooden carvings from the staircases of the 1676 house. Dunkeld House became a hotel quite early in its life except for a short period during World War II, when it was a girl's school. While at Dunkeld House, Beatrix Potter wrote a ‘picture letter’ which provided the basis for her first book ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’. Similarly, a later book ‘The Tale of Jeremy Fisher also started life as a picture letter with characters clearly based on her study and exploration on the banks of the River Tay.
We set out for a short walk, exploring the property before dinner.
I bet those were some beautiful wedding pictures.
The next morning John set out to try his luck at salmon fishing. His "ghillie" (fishery guide) set him up on his own private "beat" (stretch of river). Unfortunately the salmon did not want to play. John was just happy to fish a beautiful mountain stream again, like he did with his family when he was young.
While John was fishing CJ set out to explore the area.
Dunkeld Cathedral
CJ was suppose to have a "spa day" while John was fishing, but our plans changed. (The spa cancelled her appointment due to the therapist being ill)
It was a huge disappointment as we booked the Fishing and Spa Package for a reason. So now with free time on our hands we decided to take a little trip to a place we passed on the way. The Hermitage.
The Hermitage is a protected, woodland walk on the banks of the River Braan in The Craigvinean Forest.
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| Several Douglas-fir trees — one of which was the first tree in Britain to reach 200 feet in height. |
Stone bridge, dating from 1770
Ossian's Hall of Mirrors was originally an unremarkable view-house in a position overlooking the Black Linn Falls. It was built for the 2nd Duke of Atholl in 1757.
Black Linn Falls
Ossian's Cave
The Hermit's Cave was built around 1760 for the third Earl of Breadalbane, who unsuccessfully advertised for a permanent eremite. The guide in 1869, Donald Anderson, dressed up with a long beard of lichens and clothes of animal skins.
Totem pole carved from a Douglas Fir tree by a native Canadian from the Squamish Nation.
We headed back to Dunkeld where we did a little shopping before heading back to the hotel.
We had a wonderful weekend despite the disappointment of the spa cancellation. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed exploring the area. We look forward to returning in the Spring to take advantage of Hilton's promise to make it up to us.
We had a beautiful summer with lots of sunny days spent in the garden and around Helensburgh.
Some fun time with the girls!
Well that's it for now, look for our next blog about our trip to Inverness, Loch Ness and a wee distillery tour.
Sending love to our family and friends.
Cheers!
John and CJ
