'B' is for Blairgowrie

Second on our A-Z tour of Scotland is Blairgowrie in Perthshire - 'The Berry Toon' and known as the 'soft fruit capital of the world during the 20th century' due to the many soft fruit farms located in the environs. Mr. J often recounts how, as a child, he spent many summers with his extended family not far away, in Alyth, picking berries for weeks on end to earn some extra money.  He still can't stand anything with raspberries having gorged on illicit mouthfuls during those summers!

Blairgowrie was a surprisingly busy little place on this Saturday in January.  There is a slightly incongruous mix of charity shops (which were all seemingly very well-patronised), and antique shops, a hunting/shooting and fishing gear supplier, an art gallery, book shops and a farmers market in the town 'square' selling artisan products. Several shops were empty or boarded up - sadly a common sight in High Streets across the country these days.

After exploring the High Street, we walked along the River Ericht to the Salmon leap, and to Cargill's Leap where a local minister, Donald Cargill (one of the Covenanters) allegedly leapt across the falls to escape capture by the authorities, although he was later caught and executed (the Covenanters were Presbyterians who signed a National Covenant in 1638 to retain their form of worship and, as a consequence, experienced persecution by Charles II). It was an enjoyable walk despite the rather drab January weather. On our return, quite a lot of the vegetation by the path looked trampled and it occurred to us as we retraced our footsteps that the river might have burst its banks recently - possibly during the recent storms.  Good to see a red squirrel playfully dashing up and down trees as we made our way back to the town.

On our drive home, we passed the Meikleour Beech Hedge (a little bare at this time of year).  Planted in 1745, it's the longest and highest hedge of its kind in the world (530m long and 30m high), according to the Visit Scotland website 

So, that's 'B' done and another new place explored. We're very much enjoying our little jaunts across the country so far. Next stop 'C'!