What’s On’ in Dunblane

October 23, 2008  

Dunblane in Scotland is becoming a well known destination - not least because UK tennis star Andy Murray is from the area.

In recent years the cathedral city has grown with much development witnessed in the area.  The town is situated off the A9 road on the way north to Perth.

Its main landmark is the Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre.

Lucy MacKechnie, mum to boys Archie and Dougal took us on a tour around her Dunblane.

What’s it like for the kids being brought up in Scotland?

We’re in the middle of Scotland so we’ve got access to the hills and access to the towns and cities as well. I can see snow covered mountains out of my windows now so it is very pretty but we don’t have the lovely weather.

What’s Dunblane like?

It’s actually got quite big. We moved here from Stirling, so just down the road but there are lovely groups and things that you can do. There’s everything from toddler groups, playgroups and sport activities. Dunblane has a Cathedral so it’s officially a city but it’s still very small….compared to cities down south. It’s right at the bottom of Perthshire.

Is there much for Mums?

I do something every day with my children and I have to admit half of that is for my sanity to speak to other Mums who are maybe having a bad day too. There are lots of toddler groups and there’s a group for people with twins and triplets too. Our library service is very good. They have a story time and they have Joe Jingles, a kind of music thing. In September they have a book week and get some authors in.

Our swimming pool has been shut down and they’ve started building another one in Stirling which should be ready by 2010.

What’s Stirling like?

It’s a tourist destination, especially since the film Braveheart because we’ve got the Wallace Monument.  

Is Stirling a good holiday destination?

Definitely because it’s very central. Nothing is more than an hour away. Glasgow, Edinburgh and the hills are easily accessible in a car. Edinburgh has got a zoo and there’s the castle. Glasgow’s got a transport museum. In Stirling there’s a play park called the Kings Park and that’s a great place. The kids absolutely love it.

Do you have indoor playareas?

The nearest one is in Falkirk and that’s about a half hour drive. Stirling could do with one and I’ve heard some rumours that there is going to be one.

What’s eating out like in Dunblane?

You have to venture further afield than Dunblane. In the Bridge of Allan there’s a place called the McRoberts Centre and that’s great. They can play there and eat. We went to see Julia Donaldson who wrote The Gruffalo there and there’s also a cinema there.

There are a couple of more formal restaurants in Stirling. There’s one called The River House which is owned by the husband of Carol Smilie. They have a nice area with toys so if you’re booking ask for a table near the toys!

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WHERE NOW? Listen to the interview on podcast listed below.

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