Saturday 10th August 2024

 

Alarm at 0750. Hauled ourselves out of bed. Wandered over to the pub for breakfast…I went for the Full Scottish. Felt rather bloated afterward…waddled back to the rooms and packed our bags. Walked over Eddie’s and knocked him up. He lead us up the driveway of the nearby hotel, a 17th century manor that had been requisitioned by the army during WWII. A contingent of Polish army emigres was stationed there, and in return for the hospitality then shown, one of their descendants created a large concrete relief map of Scotland, set in a pool of brackish water…we ventured into the grounds to take a look. It looked rather like a malformed crazy golf course…but photos from the air look brilliant…shame we couldn’t be floated above the creation…called The Polish Map of Scotland. Said our farewells to Ed and drove north to Perth via the new Queensferry Crossing. Eventually found our hotel…it’s a Best Western, but looks grim. Couldn’t get into our rooms so walked into town. The town centre is pretty run down. 

We found the refurbished Town Hall, now the Perth Museum. Had tea and cake in the airy Stone cafe. The gal behind the counter told us we’d just missed Ewan McGregor, a former resident of this parish. Walked up to a restaurant on the northern periphery of the town centre, hoping to book a table for this evening…but they were fully booked. Looks like the only decent restaurant in town. Heard music coming from the park by the river so went to take a look…found ourselves at a Gay Pride Perth event…walked back to the museum for a 1530 appointment with the Stone of Destiny. We were ushered into a small viewing room and subjected to an immersive video telling the story of the stone, then into an antechamber to gawk at it as it sat in an illuminated glass case…it looked more like someone’s doorstep than anything else. Wandered round the exhibition then trekked back to the hotel and got our room keys. It looks as though Kath’s room is situated within earshot of tonight’s 18th birthday bash. We are in a neighbouring annexe, a couple of converted Victorian terraced houses. The room is large but has seen better days, and the bathroom is geared up for the disabled, complete with pull down seating in the shower…Aki not pleased! Telly doesn’t work. 

Drove back into town for a late dinner sitting at Dean’s on Kinnoull Street. It was very good…we shared a starter of scallops with caviar, pea puree and smoked ham hock, served on a plate of pebbles with dry ice! I had Orkney beef medallion on put lentils and bacon, with an ox-cheek tartlet, fondant carrot with garlic crumb, and butternut puree. Kath and Aki went for the seabass. Walked our dinner off with a stroll along the Tayside, then back to the car to drive to the Lovat Hotel. The 18th birthday bash was in full swing as we rocked up. Had to park on the street, as all the parking spaces had gone…