Edinburgh.

36.0 Miles. Now at Edinburgh Caravan Club site.

Firth of Forth Railway Bridge from the A921.

Well, so much for summer as this morning was cloudy and cool. We were in no hurry as we were only travelling 36 miles to our next destination. While on the move along the A921 we had been watching for any signs of the Firth of Forth Railway Bridge which suddenly appeared as we drove over the crest of a hill. A short distance further on we spotted a layby with no warning signs to say that there was a parking area. Luckily there was only 1 car in it which gave us plenty of room. With the overcast conditions the view of the bridge was very murky but as we were well ahead of schedule we sat it out for an hour hoping the visibility might improve.

Inchmickery Island that had been made to look like a battleship to deter attacks in WWII.

During this time we kept taking photo’s hoping they would turn out better than the previous ones. After a reasonable length of time had elapsed we set off again down into the narrow streets of Aberdour. Things got a bit tricky when a van towing a trailer tried to push his way through even though technically he should have been giving way to me especially with a double decker bus behind me. I could see what was going to happen so I stopped where there was a gap in the parked cars on my right and hoped that he would fit into the space. He just managed to squeeze in between us and the parked cars allowing us to carry on. Every other vehicle pulled over and gave us right of way after that.

Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth.

Heading up onto the Forth Road Bridge I felt a sudden sideways push as we came out of the shelter of buildings and trees. There was no indication of any wind, strong or otherwise but I suppose as we were fairly high up with no protection I should have expected it. The journey over the bridge was quite noisy caused by the expansion joints in the roadway.

Firth of Forth Rail Bridge over North Queensferry. A cruise ship is berthed just around the corner.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at the camp site just 10 minutes after the midday deadline for new arrivals. We had no sooner stopped to register in the office when 3 more motorhomes pulled in behind us, two of them towing a small car. There has been a steady flow of new arrivals all afternoon and the camp must be close to full now as we haven’t seen many empty pitches on our walk around the site.

Heading across the Firth of Forth Road Bridge.

This evening we had intended to go for a stroll to locate the bus stop ready for the morning. As we walked around the camp we spotted a motorhome displaying a New Zealand flag. As the occupants were home we walked over, two hours later we finally dragged ourselves away after a very enjoyable chat. Apparently they had stopped at Lymm on the Bridgewater Canal and spoken to a couple on a narrow boat who said “They knew a Kiwi couple who had sold a narrow boat and were returning to NZ”. A coincidence or is it us?

Gypsy Rover at Edinburgh Caravan Club site.

A total of 3692 miles, since 5 March 2011

Markinch Railway.

We were in for the second day of Summer today so we headed off into town. Dot was hoping to get a haircut but one salon was closed the other fully booked. Having no success in this matter we decided just to take a walk in a different direction to where we had been yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markers on an ex railway branch line which is now a cycle/walkway.

Turning into one street we were confronted by a huge factory which gave the appearance of being empty and desolate. There were no indications as to what had been produced here or the name of a company but it would have been a big employer of the district. A bit of research shows that the area had mined coal until it ran out, involved in the woollen industry and had several paper mills some of which still exist.

Mainline viaduct just outside Markinch Station.

Another piece of railway history in Markinch. This was a level crossing to a paper mill. The town of Glenrothes didn't exist then.

Further along we found a cycleway which I guessed had been an old railway branch line which turns out to be the Markinch to Leslie Railway. The main line from Edinburgh to Dundee runs across a viaduct about 1 mile away and the branch line would have branched off this. We followed this path which split two ways. One path way was across another viaduct and the other went off in a different direction, this appears to have been Auchmuty Junction. We followed the former which lead us to a tunnel under the roadway, through a park back to a suburban street. Here we turned right which we hoped would take us back to town. A short way up the road we found what I suspect was the other cycleway and running across the road were the old railway tracks and two gate posts of an old level crossing still in situ. Eventually this led us back up onto the A92. We had no choice but to follow this road until we reached the roundabout where we turned off towards the camp yesterday. We eventually found a track through some woodlands where horse and pony riders go riding away from the traffic. This bought us out at the gateway to the campsite so we had walked in a very large circle right around the town.

A rather tight curved tunnel on the old railway line at Markinch.

On our travels lately we have spotted a Weasel running across a road as fast as his little legs would carry him, an owl sitting on a pile of gravel (until we stopped to photograph him, he must have seen me and scarpered) a Buzzard sitting on a fence post watching the traffic go by, a Tree Creeper on a tree opposite our camp site and some birds that looked like Sparrows except they had a white breast. I have not been able to identify them with our bird ID book.

An old church in Markinch now converted to 4 apartments.

This was the 2nd church in Markinch converted into 8 apartments.

The remaining church in Markinch.

River Tay Railway Bridge Disaster

The River Tay Railway Bridge of course needs a mention all of it’s own. The North British Railway had taken full control of the East Coast railway lines and had to work out a route across the Rivers Tay and Forth. Thomas Bouch had put forward plans in 1854 but it wasn’t given Royal Assent  until 1870. The 2 mile span across the River Tay was completed in 1877 and after Board of Trade clearance in February 1878 was officially opened in the following May.

June the following year, Thomas Bouch was knighted in June 1879 for his efforts but what he didn’t know at that time was that the foundation survey he had based the build on what badly flawed. Queen Victoria actually travelled across the bridge some time during that year.

On the night of the 28th December 1879 Hurricane force winds blew down the Tay Valley. As the 7pm train from Edinburgh was crossing the bridge, weak iron work gave way and the bridge crashed into the river taking the train with it and a total loss of life. The only survivor so to speak was the locomotive which was recovered, repaired and back in use the following year. It was nick named “The Diver” by railway staff after this.

Excerpts from the poem by William McGonagall ‘The Railway Bridge of the silvery Tay’ are engraved in granite alongside the River Tay.

The Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay

BEAUTIFUL Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
With your numerous arches and pillars in so grand array
And your central girders, which seem to the eye
To be almost towering to the sky.
The greatest wonder of the day,
And a great beautification to the River Tay,
Most beautiful to be seen,
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
That has caused the Emperor of Brazil to leave
His home far away, incognito in his dress,
And view thee ere he passed along en route to Inverness.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
The longest of the present day
That has ever crossed o'er a tidal river stream,
Most gigantic to be seen,
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
Which will cause great rejoicing on the opening day
And hundreds of people will come from far away,
Also the Queen, most gorgeous to be seen,
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
And prosperity to Provost Cox, who has given
Thirty thousand pounds and upwards away
In helping to erect the Bridge of the Tay,
Most handsome to be seen,
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
I hope that God will protect all passengers
By night and by day,
And that no accident will befall them while crossing
The Bridge of the Silvery Tay,
For that would be most awful to be seen
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay !
And prosperity to Messrs Bouche and Grothe,
The famous engineers of the present day,
Who have succeeded in erecting the Railway
Bridge of the Silvery Tay,
Which stands unequalled to be seen
Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.

Dundee puts on Summer.

46.9 Miles. Now at Balbirnie Park Caravan Club site at Markinch.

We had an inkling that today was going to be a scorcher while we were breaking camp this morning. Clear blue sky and the temperature was rising quite rapidly even at 9am. The Garmin had been set for Discovery Centre, Dundee but upon arrival in the city it seemed to have trouble sending us in the right direction. A quick change of plans to locate the Tesco’s supermarket and the problem was solved. As we pulled into the Tesco car park alongside the River Tay we could see the mast’s of the “Discovery” about half a mile further ahead.

Chimney sweep's dream or nightmare. Total of 61 chimney's.

The famous Tay Railway Bridge undergoing a major refurbishment.

We did some shopping in Tesco’s and then took a walk along the river side promenade back to the famous Tay Railway Bridge. We were a bit cheeky in leaving the Motorhome in the car park but being Sunday there was plenty of room for all concerned and we are regular Tesco customers after all said and done.

River Tay Road Bridge.

Dundee Tay Bridge.

We struck lucky with the bridge as we caught a couple of trains passing over it at greatly reduced speed due to a major overhaul taking place along the bridge’s length. Dot was amazed at how such a structure could have been built in the 1870’s without modern day equipment. After a reasonably lengthy walk to the bridge and back again, we drove on towards the “Discovery” only to encounter the usual parking hassles. We followed the signs to the coach park which were a bit hit and miss, leading us into a car park where there was nowhere suitable. We then spotted the coach park on the other side of a building and managed to manoeuvre ourselves around there. I stayed on board while Dot went off to survey the situation. Eventually after some quick photo’s of the “Discovery” we pushed on over the new Tay Road Bridge towards our new camp site location. In the meantime the temperature had continued to rise and we were pleased to find the camp is nicely shaded with trees.

Dundee Tay Bridge.

Royal Research ship Discovery at Dundee. Famous for Antarctic research voyages in 1903. Back where she was built.

As we pulled into the camp at approximately 2pm the warden’s wife came out of her caravan telling us they were closed until 4pm. She did allow us entry telling us to find a site and come back after 4pm. This we did, only finding one suitable site large enough for us which we naturally parked on. After lunch we walked into town for a look around and to stretch our legs. Upon return to camp we found a car and caravan parked on the driveway in front of us and took no notice. The warden then arrived on the scene requesting our name and how long we were staying. It turned out that the pitch we were on had been booked as a seasonal pitch by the owner of the caravan and should have been marked off by the warden. Eventually the caravan owner opted to take another pitch until we leave and then he will take possession.

Discovery Centre, Dundee.

Demure Penguins at the Discovery Centre, Dundee.

It seems that there is a lack of communication between Head Office who take the bookings and the camp wardens when vehicles of larger than usual dimensions are booked into a camp. We have only once arrived at a camp to find a pitch set aside for us but plenty where no organisation has taken place and we have had to sort it out ourselves. An email to Head Office may be required to be drafted once our tour is completed at the end of the month.

A total of 3656 miles, since 5 March 2011

Meffan Museum and Loch Forfar.

Loch Farfor.

This morning was setting out to be the hottest day we have encountered in Scotland. No time to waste so we headed into town to see what we could find. Dot had established that there was a museum which we found without too much trouble. They were also running an art exhibition of local artist’s in which there were a few interesting piece’s. Even the museum had some interesting item’s even though the museum is small by most standards.

Cossack soldier's watering their horse's. Made by E A Lansere 1878.

Plan of proposed canal from Forfar to Arbroath(wick) surveyed in 1788.

There were some well presented diorama’s of local craftsmen of the area, weaver,cobbler,clock maker and a very generous civic minded confectioner who donated land for a park and an extra ward on the local hospital for convalescing patient’s. There was also one of the Forfar witches and a full story where the last woman burned as a witch was back in the mid 1600’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stonework from Kirriemuir church demolished in 1787. Old stone work with Gaelic symbol's.

After lunch Dot had the idea of walking around the Loch which is in the park behind the campsite. Well the weather had deteriorated slightly with dark clouds rolling in over the hills but we chanced it anyway. The walk wasn’t that interesting with just a few birds that I have been unable to identify. The Loch is totally different from all the other Loch’s we have seen with reed’s growing around most of the perimeter and only a couple of very small streams flowing into it. The water was no where near as clear and there was a lot of algae floating around on the surface. It reminded me of a dis-used gravel pit in England which would have had load’s of fishermen sat around it on a week-end. Here there were no fisherman.

Old buildings in Forfar.

Who’s this then?

We had read in the museum that the Loch had been lowered by 6 feet in the late 1700’s which would have put our camp site under water. Make you wonder how big the Loch was in those days. Still, we managed the 2.5 mile walk without the skies opening up and with the 1.3 miles we had walked this morning we were a tad weary by the time we got back to the motor home.

We heard about these in the museum.

The witches circle or where they were burned in a barrel?

Aberdeen. The Granite City.

72.1 Miles. Now at Lochside Caravan Club site at Forfar.

Our plans for the day didn’t exactly work out the way we wanted. We set off from Banchory reasonably early by our standards with the intention of spending some time in Aberdeen. We had done an internet search regarding parking in the city but drew a blank so it was a case of wait and see. It didn’t take long to reach the city and our search for parking began. We kept a watch out for Coach parking as that is always a good place to start but we couldn’t even find one of those. There were plenty of parking buildings for cars but nothing else. We drove around for the best part of an hour even checking out around the docks to no avail. Eventually we had to admit defeat and drive on towards Forfar.

Quick snap of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots as we passed through Aberdeen.

The original owner of this building imported Cigars, Tobbaco, Snuff and Meerschaum Pipes.

The A90 from Aberdeen to Forfar is dual carriageway all the way so it didn’t take long to make the trip. We were well ahead of schedule, and as we cannot enter the new site until after 12noon we tried to find a decent layby to stop for a refreshment break. Eventually we spotted a service centre which was only about 15 miles short of Forfar so pulled off there for a rest. Unfortunately we finished up among refridgerated truck’s carrying fish so the place was a bit smelly.

Aberdeen, The Granite City.

Aberdeen to Edinburgh Railway.

Arriving in Forfar we missed the turning to the campsite as it is poorly sign posted but managed to use the local police station car park to do a “U” turn. We were later informed that the camp were having a battle with local authorities over signage. This camp is not really geared up for motorhomes as it doesn’t have grey water dump points for motorhomes and water supply is a bit hit and miss around the site. The site is due to close at the end of the season for a complete revamp. As it’s only for 2 night’s I’m sure we will cope.

Gypsy Rover at Lochside Park, Forfar.

A total of 3609 miles, since 5 March 2011

Bridge of Feugh, Banchory.

Scottish thistle in wood.

With the weather looking a bit indifferent this morning it was a choice of the bus to Aberdeen or a walk into Banchory and look for the Bridge of Feugh. The latter won the toss of the coin. According to the sign in the information room we could take the old railway line route alongside the River Dee which takes 30 minutes. This was a very pleasant walk through woodlands and a park when we got closer to town. This bought us out onto the road leading to the Bridge of Feugh where we were told that you can watch Salmon jumping the falls.

The falls of Feugh famous for Salmon. Spot the Salmon in this turmoil.

The original bridge is only a single lane road bridge with passing bays for pedestrians to move out of the way of vehicles. A later edition footbridge has since been built so that pedestrians can stand for as long as they like watching for leaping Salmon. We saw 5 although there was only one of any size. The others were no bigger than herrings.We got into conversation with a local lady who knew the falls well and she told us that she had never seen the river so high before making it very difficult for the fish. It’s understandable when we thought about the rain we have had over the last week up in the mountains where the river rises.

The Falls of Feugh.

We walked back to camp via the township and the main road. We called into Morrison’s supermarket for a few bits and pieces which was lucky, as while we were in the store there was a torrential downpour. There was quite a congregation around the store’s front door as shoppers took refuge before heading off to their cars when the rain eased. We arrived back in camp just as a thunder storm kicked off but no more rain. Around trip of just under 5 miles, now that's a reasonable walk for us, wonder whether we will still do this when we get home?

The ex Aberdeen to Ballater railway line.