Leaping Salmon

This afternoon I made my usual annual pilgrimage to watch the yearly ritual of salmon 'running upstream' at Buchanty Spout.  The drive over, along all the back roads, was glorious.  Perthshire is achingly beautiful in the 'fall'.  Although everything is dying back, it all seems so alive, vibrant and ablaze. Nature's last impressive push before the long, dark, dormant day's of winter surround us.
Quite a few people out watching the salmon today, gasps of amazement at the salmon's impressive leaps against the torrential, rushing flow of water and rocks.  The power of this majestic fish negotiating the falls to return to it's spawning grounds is a sheer joy to watch.
Took a little run up to Little Glenshee as well, not to be confused with Glenshee. Decent walking and mountain biking territory.

The McManus - Dundee

Into the second week of the children's two week October holiday, so I thought a bit of 'culture' was in order.  I took them through to Dundee to visit The McManus - Art Gallery and Museum, worth it just to look at the inspiring building the gallery is housed in.  Entry is free and there is so much to look at.  Dundee is 'on the up' as they say, with huge investment going on along the front, new swimming pool etc.  There are many spectacular old buildings in the city and it is a very vibrant place.  Dundee is only 25 minutes away. Scotia Heritage is a good contact for tours around Dundee, especially the walking tours.  I think I need to visit Dundee more regularly, so much to look at, I always seem to go to Perth.  My father's family were all from Dundee and I probably mentioned it before that my mother's father had a guest house in Dundee in the 70's after he sold his hotel in Comrie.  One of the pleasure's upon driving back from Dundee is the spectacular view before you drop down towards Coupar Angus.

I had a  couple staying for a couple of nights, they left this morning, from down Cumbria way. I enjoyed reminiscing with them about my time working in the Lake District.  Interestingly the gent had written a book which was very impressive and what an interesting life and such a sweet devoted couple, it was lovely to see them together.  True love can strike at any age.