It was another quiet evening in camper-car land. Rodney gardenโs has a path that follows the River Tay, very popular with the locals on an unusually warm evening. We enjoy a walk ourselves after dinner, but its been a long day.
A lovely summer evening on the River Tay, Perth.
Walking Rodney gardens in the evening.
Our 25gb data sim has run out after almost a month, so a walk up to the 3 mobile shop to get another (ยฃ60) is required.
Walking across the bridge over the Tay. Whilst Perth and its waterfront are very elegant looking. There is not a lot to do here other than visit the St Johnโs Kirk, which is closed when we walk by.
A quick picture of St Johnโs in central Perth, founded in 1126. The reformation of the English church started here after a speech by John Knox 1559.
We drive on for Stirling, but the man in the tourist office advises the tourist drive along the A85 and Crieff. We are not in a hurry, so why not.
The A85 is a pleasant drive, we find a free park in Crieff and go for a walk up the main street. Lots of elegant old buildings and flower baskets.
Soon enough we are done and make our way back to the Hymer and Stirling.
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We roll into Stirling in the early afternoon. The Castle is evident as we approach and proceed through Stirlingโs 14 round-a-bouts to our carpark.
Itโs still early afternoon so our initial intention is to go for a walk and find the tourist office. Our first discovery is this building with a magnificent William Wallace statue. The building is currently a real estate agency, so it may have had a previous life.
The lady in the council chambers provides a map so we start the long walk to Stirling Castle. We pass the Eskine Church, itโs really only the facade of the original 18th century church. Itโs now a youth hostel behind all that stonework.
Itโs not really a long walk up to the castle, but a very steep one. Looking up from here, there will be a lot of stairs this afternoon. The car-park here charges ยฃ4, no wonder.
Through the casements to the entry portal. Damage from cannon fire mark the outer wall here and there.
A statue of Robert the Bruce, Scotland another great national hero.
King James built this palace within the castle in the mid 16th century. He brought in French builders and masons to please his wife Mary of Guise who was you guessed it, also French.
For the next 90 minutes we walk the palace apartments, the great hall and chapel. The audio tour is excellent, providing lots of history.
The palace apartment have been undergoing a major renovation since 2011. Repainted and furnished as if new. They are not mannequins but staff.
Stirling Castle provides panoramic view from the upper battlements. This picture looking down on the casements and cannon.
Another view back at the palace, the great hall is the painted building on the right of frame. The gardens are lovely as well.
From the casements again, looking down on the Church of the Holly Rude and itโs graveyard. The smaller white building to the right is Cowanโs Hospital.
Having enjoyed our visit to Stirling Castle we make our way down the hill and back to our car-park.
We stop at the Waitross supermarket and pick up a couple of things. The car-park has emptied out by the time we return, however one other motorhome remains with us for the night.
