The Best Scottish Road-trip continued the next morn. After breakfast, on the last morning in Glasgow we went to Queen’s Station and boarded a train destined for Perth. The plan was to rent a car and have a quick overnight stay in Perth. The the next morning, check out, and drive up to the last major Highland Games of the season in Pitlochry. And things progressed as planned; we got our car and went for a quick road-trip, to kill a little time till we could check in at Parklands Hotel.
Our initial car driving experience in Scotland, left my wife and I….well let’s just say this southern boy has no troubles with driving on a very narrow and rough country roads at top speeds. Of course that is until you try to meet someone in a curve on your side of the road. Well I was on his; I was driving on the right side of the road as is customary for the US; not on the left as is the UK way of doing things. Anyhow, on a rough narrow road in a curve at a speed less than the posted 60 mph (yes 60 mph), but still too fast for road conditions. There I was, a car was coming straight at us, my wife yelling in fear of her life, and me whipping over to the left side of the road just in time. I, in all my embarrassment, could say was, “stupid American drivers.” Unfortunately, a repeated scenario over the next two days as I acclimated to the, foreign to me, road rules.
Perth
After our brief road-trip we returned to Perth. Being too early to check in to our lodging, we parked and walked around down town Perth.
We got a bite to eat, walked the river front, and through an ancient Grey Friars cemetery.
Scone Palace
After a brief walk-about we decided to take in a local historic attraction; the Scone Palace. This place that wasn’t even on our tour radar, but was an awesome discovery. Likewise, it was highly informative of Scottish history and set the tone for the remaining two weeks of our excursion.
This moot hill chapel is all that remain the remains representative of the Scone Abby which has long since been destroyed during the Reformation. It was the holy sight of coronating all Scottish kings and the home of the Stone of Destiny, now on display at Edinburgh Castle.
A replica of the Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone)
I encourage you to visit the Scone Palace website for more about this surprising rich historical landmark.
A visit to the gardens provides and interesting array of foliage and vegetation. The Earl of Mansfield was an avid botanist and traveled the world sampling and cataloging many exotic specimens. Several of which are on display in this garden.
Back to Parklands Hotel
It was late afternoon and we’d enough excitement for the day, between the harrowing driving experience and the luxurious palace, so we made our way back to the hotel, parked, and checked in.
Then we grabbed a delicious and well deserved dinner. Then bedded down for an early rise to drive to tomorrows games in Pitlochry.
The Pitlochry Games
The Highland Games in Pitlochry are the last major games of the season. Athletes, dancers, and musicians from around the world participate in the annual games. The games are for participants of all ages. These events offer a whole range of activities for showcasing their talents.
After a whole day of events, the participants and spectators were exhausted. The awards were given, the audience went home, the vendors break down, and the town of Pitlochry returned to normal; planning for next year’s games.
As for us……we continued on our trek of Scottish discovery; on to Kingussie, Scotland.