parkrun #268 event #68 and final letter in UK alphabet!
Reason for visit: attending the annual autumn gathering of Scottish Country dance in Perth.
I’ve been to this annual dance get together for 7 years in a row. Perth, while having a lovely parkrun of its own, right beside where the dancing happens, is also a handy base to explore further afield. I’ve used it to reach Camperdown and Kirkcaldy, and this year I was delighted to discover that a new parkrun had started at the University of Stirling, and did indeed begin with that elusive letter U!
Access:
From Perth, I caught the 7.15 train to Bridge of Allan.
I followed the very helpful directions given on the parkrun page, inclduing crossing the road at the appropriate point.
Trains are not that frequent so make sure you check a timetable for times.
Facilities:
There seemed to be plenty of parking, and clean loos were located in the swimming centre, a reminder of Scotland’s prowess in this acivity (swimming, not going to the loo…..)
Crowd:
Plenty of students, of course, and being an elusive letter I saw several other cow cowls, and gave a “Dolly or Bev” shoutout to a With Me Now T shirt. It’s dog friendly, and there were even a couple of prams. There were around 200 when I visited.
As I was doing my final km I found a barcode lying on the ground, and spent the rest of the run waving it at people and going Amanda? Amanda? Until I did indeed find the right Amanda who was over the moon to be reunited with her special scrap of paper. Remember, no barcode, no time!
Course:
It’s absolutely stunning! In November, when I was there, the leaves were all red and gold, there was a morning mist on the lake, and the swans and ducks were enjoying the calm day. 2 and a bit laps of the lake, which is hillier than you think, and prone to flooding and puddles.
Gear:
As it’s overlooked by the mighty Wallace Monument, I should really have worn my home Wallace apricot, but I was giving my 50 events T shirt an airing.
Gloves and cow bobble were important to keep the extremeties warm, and I left my bits and bobs at a tree by the finish funnel.
Time:
I’m still in recovery mode, so was jog walking to a 40 something time.
Afterwards:
I couldn’t find the cafe where they meet, but I called in instead to the lovely Meadow Park, where I treated myself to a veggie haggis bap and a celebratory glass of prosecco, complete with Scottish raspberry. 
All for a very reasonable £6.55, served by the friendliest of bar staff.
All My parkruns:
NI (and other) parkruns: summary list
Filed under: running, Scotland | Tagged: University of Stirling | 1 Comment »
Dancing At Lunacy 