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Home  >  Blog  >  A Dull and Boring Holiday

A Dull and Boring Holiday

Trish Burgess Posted on07/04/201310/08/2016 Scotland 31 Comments

In the car, when I’ve not got my nose in a map, attempting to second guess or counteract the efforts of our hormonal Satnav, I try to look out of the window as much as possible. On our journey ‘oop north’ last week,  the signposts caught my eye, even more so as we travelled into Scotland, with memories of the stern warning that ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ on a previous visit.

Dougie whooped as we drove across the border into his homeland, via the town of Coldstream which markets itself as ‘The First True Border Toon’. We didn’t stop to get out so he could pose by the sign or have one foot in each country, though we did wonder whether we’d need a passport to come here in the future. If the vote is yes to independence, will they ever let Dougie back in?

Further up the road, the town of Greenlaw stands proudly on the River Blackadder. Of course, all I can think about is Rowan Atkinson and the TV series but then, if I’m thinking that, surely there must be other people who think the same. Does the town make the most of its link with the TV programme? The pub is named ‘The Blackadder Arms’, which is encouraging, and I noticed there was a ‘Blackadder Mini-Market’. But the local chippie has the rather unimaginative name, ‘The Chip Shop’. Surely they could call it ‘Baldrick’s Battered Bream’ or ‘The Flashheart Fryer’?

Onwards to Edinburgh and as we approach the main city bypass there is a huge sign:

Edinburgh City Bypass
– no cyclists, horse-drawn vehicles, pedestrians and animals.
 
I’m sure this must be something to do with the road not officially being a motorway, but to have a picture of a horse and carriage underneath the sign does seem rather archaic. I don’t remember seeing this sign on other dual carriageways in the UK.
Our favourite sign of the whole week, however, was spotted just a couple of miles from where we were staying in Kenmore, Perthshire.
Dull paired with Oregon, road sign

The story behind this fairly new sign is that Elizabeth Leighton, resident of Grandtully, Perthshire, passed through the town of Boring on a cycling holiday in Oregon. She told her friend, Emma Burtles, who lives in Dull and the two thought it would be a great idea to somehow link the two towns. They can’t officially be twinned, as Boring is too big, but Steve Bates, the chairman of the Boring Community Planning Organisation and Marjorie Keddie, chairwoman of the Dull and Weem Community Council, worked together in 2012 to make the pairing happen. The sign was erected in June last year and a street party was held for the 84 residents of the tiny Dull village. The two communities are tentatively getting to know each other via the Dull and Boring Facebook page. I gather this new sign is causing quite a stir with American visitors very keen to see it. One tourist took a taxi to see the sign…..from Edinburgh… 75 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes drive away.

 

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31 Comments

  1. Bass Pryce Reply
    07/04/2013 at 7:49 pm

    Perhaps the town where you stayed – Kenmore – should be paired with Barbieless, just a thought and if it exists.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/04/2013 at 8:18 pm

      I think they've missed a trick there, Bryce.

  2. Nana Go-Go Reply
    07/04/2013 at 7:56 pm

    My dear girl, didn't you know we still go around in pony and traps up here. Why, I traverse to my employment verily each day by the same mode!Seriously though, nothing archaic about the sign at all – you were driving through horse country!
    As an aside, for True Scots, the question of independence goes far deeper than being anti-English. That's NOT what it's about at all, for the unenlightened.
    Did you go to the House of Bruar?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/04/2013 at 8:44 pm

      Hmm, fair enough Nana, but I can't recall seeing that many horses around Edinburgh. That bypass is pretty busy, so no-one in their right mind on a horse would even contemplate going on it, surely. Anyway, I found the sign amusing, just imagining a whole lot of horses, pedestrians and other animals lining up to travel on the bypass.

      Yes, the question of independence is a serious one in our house too. Dougie very torn and, of course, not living there, has no vote, but still cares very deeply for his country.

      Didn't do any shopping in House of Bruar this time bit did walk up to the falls – it was such a sunny day, we loved it!

  3. MsCaroline Reply
    07/04/2013 at 9:19 pm

    You see that sort of warning quite a bit in rural parts of the US – but I don't know if you see them outside capitol cities like Edinburgh. I'll have put out the query. Hats off to Elizabeth Leighton for having such a clever idea and following through on it. I'm sure I would like her and her sense of humor! Hope you're enjoying yourself – sounds like it!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/04/2013 at 9:34 pm

      We're back home now, MsC. Thought I'd get a post up on the blog and then have a proper read of everyone else's blogs tomorrow. Can't wait to read about your trip to Bali.

  4. Troy Reply
    07/04/2013 at 11:18 pm

    Frankly I feel a little cheated after reading your posting as you didn't actually go to Boring. But on reflection I suppose you're allowed a little poetic licence.

    Isn't Kenmore the home of quiz winners? It should be.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/04/2013 at 6:35 am

      I know, trades description and all that. Just couldn't resist it.

      Kenmore. Genius.

  5. Sonja Hoyt Reply
    08/04/2013 at 12:37 am

    That's funny…wouldn't you hate to live in a town by those names, though?!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/04/2013 at 6:38 am

      I'd have to try and make the most of it, maybe naming my house 'Tedium' ?

  6. wellfedfred Reply
    08/04/2013 at 2:17 am

    wait, aren't you going to tell us about Weem?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/04/2013 at 7:03 am

      Ah yes! Weem. We did see Weem, or at least travel through it. Famous for its woods, called Weem Woods ;-). I do like the name Weem.

  7. libby Reply
    08/04/2013 at 6:54 am

    I have never really understood the 'twinned with' signs you see all over the country…and I know this makes me the grinch who stole Christmas but I only ever think 'who pays for this twinning lark and who does it benefit?'..aren't they just jollies for the selected few?….but on a less grumpy note I am now trying to think of towns that could be paired amusingly…..

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/04/2013 at 7:07 am

      I know what you mean, Libby. I suppose at least with this 'pairing' and not 'twinning' is that there won't be tax-payer funded jollies, although I wonder who paid for the sign…

      You've got me thinking now. A whole other blog post. Need to get the atlas out.

  8. auntiegwen Reply
    08/04/2013 at 5:16 pm

    Every time we cross the border, I play Runrig "Going home" and I cry and I feel properly at peace. One day I can retire back there and blessed am I in an English husband that's willing to move back with me xx

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/04/2013 at 6:58 pm

      It is an emotional thing, going home. I tend to feel the same when we approach Newcastle – whether it's over the Tyne Bridge or through the tunnel, it feels familiar and welcoming.
      Where will you and your hubby settle when you retire? Any thoughts yet?

  9. BavarianSojourn Reply
    08/04/2013 at 7:44 pm

    I love the story about the sign, that's brilliant! I have similar feelings when I touch down at Heathrow, that's quite sad isn't it?!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      09/04/2013 at 2:00 pm

      It's not sad at all, Emma. As you live abroad that must be quite a lovely feeling when you reach home turf. Do you kiss the tarmac?

  10. Curry Queen Reply
    08/04/2013 at 10:14 pm

    Hilarious! I hope they eventually let Dougie back in once the passports are introduced!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      09/04/2013 at 2:01 pm

      Oh I do hope so or I'll just get him to wear his kilt.

  11. Funky Wellies Reply
    09/04/2013 at 10:19 am

    You totally caught me with that title… I was already feeling sorry for you lot! Great "jumelage" story. xx

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      09/04/2013 at 2:02 pm

      I like to tease…

      Ooh I like the 'jumelage' word!

  12. Very Bored in Catalunya Reply
    09/04/2013 at 1:46 pm

    I wonder if they all have stickers on their fridges that says something like "you don't have to be dull to live here, but it helps"?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      09/04/2013 at 2:02 pm

      They have fridge magnets of the sign already. I bought one!!

  13. Sarah Reply
    09/04/2013 at 2:27 pm

    How do they pronounce Dull? Like with a double o? or short and snappy?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      09/04/2013 at 2:34 pm

      I'd say short and snappy – like Mull as in Kintyre?!

  14. Jay Reply
    09/04/2013 at 6:00 pm

    That sign is just brilliant, such a great idea to twin them!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      10/04/2013 at 8:34 am

      They should do more silly twinning – makes for more entertaining signs.

  15. Steve Reply
    09/04/2013 at 8:26 pm

    Does anyone really need to be told to drive safely in Dull?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      10/04/2013 at 8:36 am

      Ha! I didn't think of that. One of the main businesses in the village is a company which arranges 4×4 Land Rover safaris up the mountains. Must be strange to have Dull as the address.

  16. Pingback: Dull, Boring....and Bland. - Mum's Gone To ...

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