Stirling continued:

Staying in the Argyll’s Lodging Hostel was interesting as a Campbell. But there wasn’t much to see as construction and restoration was going on. There was only one Canadian family (Toronto) and myself in the place so it was pretty quiet once the construction guys were done for the day.

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The weather was cool, cloudy and windy. Walking around the town that evening (maybe 6 pm or so) there was hardly anyone on the street, all the buildings were dull gray to match the clouds. And the white painted ones looked so stiff.


Called ahead for a room at the youth hostel in Perth. Waiting a few more days before breaking out my pipes (too many people around/embarrassing).


Thoughts back to Edinburgh and comparing it to Stirling:
I was sorry to leave Edinburgh. The citizens have, or had (maybe from Glaswegians?), a reputation of being somewhat stuck-up, which I never found. In spite of being a city I liked it, and I am not a city person. Perhaps I would have felt differently if I worked there, but visiting was great. Stirling Castle was nice, although it did not have as much to see as Edinburgh Castle. However, it was not as “restrictive” (only word I can describe it with), and much better views all around.


This early on I found some of the accents hard to follow due to the accent and the lilt. The changing stress on syllables made it difficult.

I noted that carrying that suitcase around was such a pain. I wondered how soon I could send it ahead to Lewis, after going to Inveraray?

On to Perth:

£1.75 bus
35p extra for the luggage!
79p for hot bridie (also tea, scone, shortbread, 79p for all that)

I recorded the bus route to Perth via A9, saw Stirling Bridge, drove under Wallace Monument, saw Bridge of Allan into a glen north of Stirling. Saw Allan Water, was near Sheriffmuir, saw the Highlands to the north. Passed the Tullibarden Distillery, Blackford, lots of B&Bs. (I tried to follow this route now on Google Maps and it makes no sense. I'm guessing the routes have changed?)

Brunch at Jean Robertson’s Friendship Circle, with a hot bridie, shortbread and tea. All home baked by little old local ladies, with the atmosphere of a rummage sale. Phenomenal meal.

In spite of all I ate at the pastor’s house in Edinburgh I seem to have shed weight just from not eating sugar and the walking.

Weather is cloudy but very pleasant, warm even, and the sun breaks through.

Perth has an incredible number of antique shops. (Antique furniture noted: Queen Anne upholstered side chair £205; Queen Anne Dining Table £240). It is about the size of Binghamton, NY (both in 1983 sizes) which is the nearest city I was really familiar with growing up. But it feels like Owego, NY where I did grow up.

79p breakfast
£1.75 bus
20p museum
30p roll
23p 7-Up
10p for the shower in the hostel
10p phone
75p fish and chips

£2.99 Bought windbreaker, found out it wasn’t waterproof...
Went is a grocer to buy items for breakfast.

Mr. Fletcher was the hostel warden.