Some fast paced ticking action now, as the No. 54 brings you to the heart of Bridge of Allan, birthplace of Judy Murray, the most powerful woman in Scotland.
Another Scottish town with a population between 5,601 and 8,901 to add to the growing list I was to tick off on the trip.
Between Stirling Uni and the massive tennis court of Dunblane, Bridge of Allan looked a charming one street sort of place that I nominate as “The Wheathampstead of the North” to annoy someone.
Cafes, boutiques, ice cream and a brewery tap emitting an astonishingly attractive smell as I descended the steps from the main street.
It looked a bit ramshackle from outside, and I always expect these places to be unexpectedly closed as BrewDog have bought up all the water or whatever it is that beer is made of these days.
But Allanwater’s Tap was open, and astonishing.
Half a dozen folk spread out in a cosy pub that made the best of its surrounding, and was packed with authentically Scottish reading materials.
An eclectic soundtrack had reached “Music From The Big Pink“.
The young barman was, as young people invariably are, chatty and helpful as I dithered over a range of beers that was greater than one.
The first half, possibly the 70/, was end of the barrel. Unless it was meant to taste like that.
Our bar hero had a sniff, had a taste and went “Ooh, thanks for telling me“. He went off to do something complex in the cellar, and when he got back produced a half of the same beer that was somehow nectar.
Always take your beer back, folks. Even if I don’t.
I left to the sound of Nick drake’s Pink Moon. Perhaps a pink-themed playlist, but I didn’t stay to find out if Lily the Pink was coming up next. I really should have.
You’ll be getting a But ‘n’ Ben as a cosy couples weekend retreat for all these exotic Scottish locations Mrs. RM is being financed to visit.
Have you been online searching for an Orkney posting for her yet?
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Scilly Isles
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Ooh, look at you, going all tropical.
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“packed with authentically Scottish reading materials” that made you forget the GBG for a while ?
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Fish taking credit cards and Google Pay? They gotta live too…
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Cosy – and colourful, with a refreshing absence of tartan.
Take note, the Stanhope Arms in Stanton-by-Dale.
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Yes indeed,
I remember when Tartan or the equally dreadful McEwans Export was everywhere north of the border.
Now Tim’s carpets is your best chance of finding tartan.
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Or the Swan in Buxton.
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Now THAT was a pub.
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The Swan, yes, the highlight of both of my Proper Days Out in Buxton last spring.
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McEwans export, unfortunately, has been making a bit of a comeback in recent years. No idea who is producing it at present; last heard of at Charles Wells, so possibly one of Marstons breweries.
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Craft brewery in Wolverhampton.
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Mudgie, I might risk a half at some point in the next decade.
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Scott,
But is McEwans Export any better now that it’s brewed south of the border ?
Maybe Marstons have improved the recipe since taking on the Charles Wells Brewery in Bedford.
Marstons certainly seem to be making a good job of that Tetleys now that it’s brewed in Wolverhampton, yes, in the Swan one of the best pints in Buxton.
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Long time since I was there. A comparison few will be able to make. Bridge of Allan is in the shadow of Stirling. Wheathampstead is in the shadow of er Luton.
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Yes, that’s an uneasy comparison.
I was trying to think of a one street upmarket village in the shadow of a bigger neighbour.
Thought of Poynton as well but thought Old Mudgie would get cross.
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Lower Gornal’s in the shadow of Upper Gornal – well it was the one time I went there and the sun shone.
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All these “pink” songs got me thinking of the band Kissing the Pink. Their track “Big Man Restless” got a bit of radio airplay here in the States back in the early 80s– do you know it?
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I bought that LP!
“The Last Film” was their hit over here, had no idea they had a different hit in the States.
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Interesting! I’ve gone to listen to “Last Film” on YouTube; definitely didn’t get any airplay over here that I recall. There was a brief moment circa 1983 or so when all sort of ‘arty’ bands like this could get one song on the radio for at least a little bit– doesn’t seem so possible these days.
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Yes, that’s very “83.
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Were Scaffold a one hit wonder? A bit like Animal Magnet and the Toy Dolls?
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Stafford Paul is our pop expert, but they did have a few hits, not just novelty stuff, and sang the theme to The Liver Birds (you’re too young).
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I do remember that….Nerys Hughes’ finest moment 😉 was she related to Emlyn?
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Emlyn in drag.
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😄
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