Chronicle for 7 May 2012

After a hearty breakfast we left Anstruther and our wonderful hosts this morning, heading for Perth.

On our way we stopped at several of the little harbourside fishing villages (Pittenweem, St Monans) meandering along village by village towards Kinross alongside Loch Leven.

We caught the ferry, which was more of a dingy, out to the island in the middle of the Loch to admire the remains of Loch Leven Castle. This was where Mary Queen of Scots was incarcerated in 1567 before she devised her escape. We couldn't help but be impressed by how small the island was and also how cold and miserable it could have been. One woman on the ferry was saying how atmospheric and romantic she thought it was, to which she got a resounding "If you say so!"

From here we headed north of Perth to Dunkeld where we first admired the Cathedral, half of which is in ruins and the other half is operational as a church. Amongst other tombs within the church is the tomb of Wolf of Badenoch, who took his revenge on some of the nearby towns by burning them to the ground when they excommunicated him for running away with his mistress and bearing a number of children with her.

Of course no visit here would be complete without taking the short stroll along the river Tay to admire the last standing oak of Birnam forest of Shakespeare/Macbeth fame. However standing may be a stretch as it is being propped up on several sides with sturdy posts. But considering its age we think it deserves a bit of support. A huge old tree with a hollow centre. And to think that this area was once covered with specimens like this.

We finally made it to our destination of Perth tonight and checked into our hotel, a grand old building that appears as if was once a manor hall. Greeted with the hospitable service that we have become accustomed to north of the border.