A DELEGATION from the Australian district Bland have paid a visit to
the Perthshire village Dull, in hopes of striking up a partnership.
The tiny village in Perthshire is twinned with the American town
Boring and now Australian district Bland want their own like to the
town.
the Perthshire village Dull
Dot McCaskie and Gail Platz travelled to Scotland from New South Wales
after hearing about the partnership.
Highland Safaris in Dull, near Aberfeldy, welcomed the two women last
week, and the pair said they were “excited about teaming up with Dull
and Boring.”
Julie Riddell, who runs the Land Rover safari company with her
husband, Donald, said: “Their slogan goes ‘Bland by name, not by
nature,’ and if their friendly personalities are a taste of how things
are back in their home town, then I would say they are totally right.
“Dot said Bland was just a bit tired of being made fun of and when
someone spotted the Dull and Boring twinning they thought they’d make
it a threesome.
“We very much enjoyed our visitors from Bland.
“The sun was shining and the whole valley was looking as beautiful as
ever and their day here was just not long enough.
“We hope that their marks the beginning of a long day and happy association.”
The Australian region is named after William Bland, who was
transported as a convict after killing a sailor in a duel in Bombay.
He was later pardoned and became a pillar of colonial life, going on
to found the Australian Medical Association.
Dot McCaskie, who works for the local council, said: “We’re hoping it
will basically make people aware of Blandshire, and also make people
aware that there are unusual names around the world.”
Her travelling companion, Gail Platz, who is a community ambassador
for Blandshire, said: “We’ve loved our visit to Dull.
“There is beautiful scenery and friendly people at Highland Safaris.
“We are very excited about teaming up with Dull and Boring.”
Dull made world headlines when, in a move to attract visitors, Perth
and Kinross Council agreed to sign a declaring Dull’s relationship
with the northwest American logging town of Boring.
The idea was suggested by Elizabeth Leighton, from Grandtully in
Perthshire, who came across Boring while on holiday.
Boring in Oregon has now designated August 9 as Boring and Dull Day to
commemorate the day the places were twinned.
