Highland Cattle in Perthshire & New Year BBQs

It's been a very busy few weeks and I feel guilty at not spending a little time writing.  

This photograph was taken locally the other day but the weather wasn't too bright.  I think it's amusing as it was so strange they all turned to face me - just as if they were about to burst out in song!

September was a hectic month, lots of golf finals to be played, fishermen making their last attempts to find the elusive record-breaker trout or salmon and many other guests here for family parties or some type.  More and more people seem to prefer small bed and breakfasts to large hotels these days.  

Barbeques seem far more popular in Scotland these days and party guests usually speak highly of the variety and quality of the food offered.  It no longer seems to be a choice of burgers or sausages.  My favourite BBQ meal is a venison steak, baked potato with courgette and carrot salad (either hot or cold).  Just delicious!

Must tell you about my strangest BBQ.  It was New Year some years ago and we'd invited friends round for a meal and to welcome the New Year.  I'll take the blame for coming up with the idea of having a BBQ, although the food would be cooked outside and consumed inside. Guests were forewarned to bring warm clothing if they wanted to be part of the cooking staff.

Around teatime that Hogmanay the snow started.  Then it snowed and snowed.  The BBQ went ahead amid such stunning scenes of winter and it was a roaring success.  Part of the secret I'm sure, was providing everyone with a whisky mac on arrival, just to warm their insides. 

For quite a few Christmases (weather allowing) we've taken the portable BBQ up into the hills on Christmas Day and thoroughly enjoyed our meal - even though I have kept my gloves on to eat at times!  A thermos of soup, baked potatoes done here at home then wrapped in tinfoil, a decent steak from my favourite butcher and stunning scenery make the event as near to perfection as possible.  Saves on all the washing up a traditional turkey Christmas dinner creates too!

 

Highland Games, Scotland

It's been a busy few weeks with so many events going on in Perthshire. Last Saturday was the Braemar Gathering, possibly the most famous of all the Scottish Highland Games and fortunately the weather was reasonable for all concerned.

Blairgowrie jumps to life during the weekend which locals refer to as 'Braemar Night'.  The town buzzes with hundreds of visitors stopping en route through the Grampians to see the spectacle of Highland entertainment.  There is something for everyone to see including a glimpse of HM The Queen as she is a staunch admirer and visits the Gathering every year.  On the Saturday evening music is to be heard all over the town and a ceilidh is organised in a local hotel for anyone who wishes to have a wee dance or just enjoy some Scottish music.

Every year we are fully booked for this event and this year I had the pleasure of two European couples staying with me - one couple from Germany and the other from Belgium.  The Belgium couple had come specifically for a pop concert which took place at Glamis Castle on the Friday evening and the other couple were intent on visiting Braemar.  In fact, they were so intent they had booked their tickets online 5 months ago!  

The Sunday following the Braemar gathering Blairgowrie holds its own Highland Games. Another success this year by all accounts and the turnout was excellent.  Again the weather was kind.  All in all another pleasant weekend enchanced by the company of lovely guests.  Who says doing bed and breakfast is boring?  It's hard work I agree, but such times make it so worthwhile.

A Visit to Dunkeld, Perthshire

The weather during August has been the worst on record all over the UK.  I've had many visitors from Europe this month and most say it's very similar in their countries so at least I don't feel as if Scotland is unique.  Mind you I think Scotland is quite beautiful in any weather as long as you have the right clothing.  Yesterday was a dry day so I decided I would like a drive to Dunkeld.  It is a 20 minute drive from Blairgowrie along a pleasant, winding road.  Although it was a Bank Holiday weekend parking was available in The Square (see photo) which is the centre of the town.

The wonderful Dunkeld Cathedral is just a few minutes walk away and it never ceases to impress me with its dignified splendour.  What a building.  How many cathedrals are half ruin and half community places of worship?  Over the years I've had the privilege of attending several musical events in the Cathedral and have never been disappointed.  Most events sell out quickly so do book in advance.  The Cathedral website has a programme of most events.

 No visit to Dunkeld would be complete without a walk along the banks of the River Tay.  What a grand river it is although, with the recent rain, it was exceptionally high. The picture is looking east from the riverbank in front of the Cathedral and towards the Dunkeld Bridge designed by the famous Thomas Telford.

The day wasn't very sunny but it was reasonably warm and we ended by having a quick drink at the Taybank Hotel.  This used to be owned by the famous folksinger Dougie MacLean and his wife. The new owners have continued to use it as a centre for Scottish music and culture with instrumental classes, concerts and spontaneous music sessions.  Pop in if you're in town, you may be surprised what you hear!

Vintage Motor Cycle Club at Blairgowrie, Perthshire

Last week the Central Scottish Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club held their 34th Scottish National Assembly here in Blairgowrie (in fact just 2 minutes walk from the house).

I was delighted champions Fran and Harry Wiles stayed with us at our Bed and Breakfast in Blairgowrie.  What an inspiration they are to us more mature adults.  They've participated in this sport for many years and what they don't know about motor cycles isn't worth knowing.

Fran rides pillion and I thought her a brave woman, until she told me there's no suspension in a vintage motor cycle, with the exception of a wee bit of springing in the seat.  I'm still wondering if she's brave, a bit eccentric or both!

This is the motor cycle on which they won the Cup.  This was for the best performance on a Sunbeam motor cycle in the vintage class of the time trial. They also won overall second in the same trial. The bike is a Sunbeam 1929 Model 5 which, you can see, has been given much tender loving care for years.

Thank you Fran and Harry for sharing your interest with me.  I enjoyed our chats very much and you can be assured a little of your enthusiasm rubbed off.  Next year I'm going to visit the meeting to see these works of dedication.  Good luck to the two of you for future events.

Fran and Harry gave their permission for the use of their names in this article.

Baby Wipes aren't just for Babies

I must tell you about this before I forget!

This morning a young guest accidently spilt some ground coffee which splashed the curtains and carpet.  I was intent on getting a cloth dampened with cold water, when she asked, "Do you have baby wipes?". 

"Yes," I replied, wondering why she would ask such a question when she was so obviously embarrassed at what had happened.  I tried to assure her it would be fine when she asked me to bring her the baby wipes.  This I did.

She proceeded to dab the offending stains on the curtains and carpet with a couple of the wipes and within a minute or so there was no evidence of the accident, other than some coffee grounds, which the carpet cleaner easily removed.

I have to admit I was impressed, but also thought outlines of the stains would be left, similar to when you use a damp cloth.  This afternoon I checked the curtains and carpet, in fact I checked several times.  Why?  Because I couldn't even remember where the coffee stains had been, that's why.  Not a mark on anything; it's as if they never had been.

So my thanks to my young guest for such a wonderful cleaning tip which I wouldn't have known about without her wee accident.  My understanding to all mothers of babies if they wonder what these wipes do to babies' bums if they can remove coffee and other stains so efficiently.

Tip:  The stains must be fresh for this to work.  Haven't yet missed my mouth with red wine so can't vouch for them working on that.  Mind you I expect the day will come when I am forced to try!

Red Squirrels, Blairgowrie, Perthshire

The other evening I was sitting in the sitooterie reading whilst I waited for guests to arrive.  My other half had received his new camera that morning and was putting it through its paces.  You know the kind of thing - silly photos of me and zooming in and out of plants with his new 10x lens.  

Red squirrels are frequent visitors to our garden.  They usually appear between 7 and 8am for breakfast and hang upside down for ages on the bird feeders extracting as much as possible.  It was no surprise to see one that evening at 7pm having its last meal of the day from their usual place.

Suddenly though, it rushed across the lawn, jumped up onto a stone by the water feature, then nipped into a nearer stone and had a lengthy drink from the bottom well!  This photo is its arrival at the water feature and the photo of it having a drink has gone forward to a national competition (I'll post that one at a later date).

To think all this happened within half a minute of time was incredible!  Nature is always full of surprises.

A link which may be of interest to you:  Highland red squirrels

Rumbling Bridge near Dunkeld, Perthshire

Having to visit a friend in Crieff yesterday, I decided to take the scenic route.  That's from here to Dunkeld, cross the A9 onto the Sma Glen and Crieff road.  The whole journey takes around 40 minutes and the scenery through the Sma Glen is absolutely stunning at any time of year.

But I'm going to tell you about a hidden gem tucked away on this route.  Once you are over the A9 and into the Crieff road, you pass through a couple of hamlets and around 4 to 5 miles from Dunkeld, there is a small sign of the left hand side saying 'Rumbling Bridge 1/4 mile'.  Turn down here to the right and park in the car park on the right hand side.

Walk down the wee hill to the bridge (you'll hear the noise of the water) and you will see the fall of the River Braan down the gorge.  Look to the right hand side of the bridge first then the left where it is dark, still and deep.

In any weather this is just a lovely reminder of the wonders of nature and definitely worth a visit. Rumbling Bridge can also be accessed from the Hermitage Walk starting at Dunkeld.  There are even picnic places (although just a few) for those who wish to sit and watch the rolling waters.

There is another Rumbling Bridge in this part of Scotland near Kinross and it seems to get all the publicity.  This one is far more interesting - but then I would say that, wouldn't I !