Aberfeldy could inspire a new hit song from Ed
Perth’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid has prompted an impressive makeover for the popular cafe in AK Bell Library.
Following a four-week revamp, the refurbished eaterie opened on Wednesday, fittingly renamed ‘Café Culture’.
Cafe Culture focuses on well-priced, freshly-baked and locally-sourced ingredients.
Bread is supplied from Casella and Polegato in Whitefriars Street, and fruit and vegetables from Martin’s Fruit Bazaar in South Methven Street.
As well as food for library visitors, Café Culture also features a small gift shop which showcases items sourced from artisan designers and makers through Perthshire Creates, as well as Fair Trade produce.
Roy Jenney, sales and customer experience manager at Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “The makeover has created a warm and welcoming rendezvous spot in the heart of the city, and staff have worked hard to source local produce and use local suppliers. We are especially proud of our home-baked scones.”
The venue is available for hire. Bookings have been taken for musical recitals, talks, book launches and stand-up comedy. Aberfeldy could be about to become a household name for Ed Sheeran fans.
The singer admitted he had written a Scottish folk song in the style of the massively successful ‘Galway Girl’ about having a holiday in Highland Perthshire, which is likely to be on the next album he releases.
He visited Aberfeldy during downtime in 2014 and made an impromptu performance at the Breadalbane Arms.
The Grammy-nominated star was 22 at the time and stepped up when the 10-piece band, The Victorian Trout Conspiracy, were playing the Aberfeldy watering hole and asked if he could join in with them.
That same weekend he went to other local pubs, including the Black Watch, where for a few minutes he played with his friend, musician Foy Vance.
The buddies left when word got out and fans began filling the bar to capacity.
Sheeran gave a rare interview to Des Clarke, columnist from the Daily Record on the Capital Breakfast radio show earlier this week.
The star revealed: “I wrote a Highland folk song called Aberfeldy that was due to go on this album but didn’t make it.
“It was a bit too folky for this one but it will go on the next one. Or on a film soundtrack. It’s about being on holiday in Aberfeldy .”
He also revealed he has the Aberfeldy whisky label tattooed on his arm.
The songwriter explained his link with the spirit distilled in Perthshire: “You can go to any Scots or Irish bar in the world and they have a bottle of Aberfeldy.
“I was in a bar in Germany and the barman had it - I showed him the tattoo and he gave me a free shot!” The drinking experiences of the hit
The revamped Café Culture at the AK Bell Library
Ed Sheeran during a trip to Glasgow album ‘Divide’ performer, currently playing sell-out gigs in Glasgow, came up when he revealed to Des Clarke how as a 15-year-old his Scottish cousins took him out on his “first actual night out” and introduced him to traditional Scots tipple Buckfast among other things.