The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
ROYALS ARE TOAST OF STRATHEARN
Parts of Perthshire came to a standstill yesterday as hundreds of people gathered to give a rousing welcome to the Earl and Countess of Strathearn as they toured Crieff and Forteviot. As part of the tour William and Kate enjoyed a dram at the Famous Grouse Experience.
HUNDREDS OF people gathered to welcome the Earl and Countess of Strathearn on their first visit to Perthshire yesterday.
William and Kate started the day off at the Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff, where they were greeted by a massed pipe band.
As part of their visit, the pair spent more than an hour meeting a number of groups and organisations.
The countess met members of Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services’ Young Carers Project.
She was presented with a posy by 10-year-old Kayleigh Taylor, before being introduced to Spirit of Youth award winner, Abbie Scrimgeour, 13.
PKAVS chief executive Helen MacKinnon said Kate showed a lot of interest in the work of the young carers. “She was wonderful,” she added. “She took an awful lot of time to speak to the little ones about their caring roles.
“We have got over 200 young carers in Perth and Kinross and she was genuinely interested in their work.”
Meanwhile, William showed off his expert knowledge while meeting Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance staff.
Although he did not comment on reports that he will soon be taking to the skies with the East Anglia Air Ambulance, the earl was still keen to find out about the work of the crew and accepted a cuddly toy for Prince George.
SCAA chief executive Gavin Davey said: “He was very knowledgeable about the helicopter from his search and rescue days.”
The earl and countess then met pupils from primary schools across Crieff before continuing the rest of their tour, which included a visit to MacRosty Park to unveil a plaque marking the field as a trust and a trip round the Famous Grouse Experience before moving on to Forteviot.
There, William and Kate were presented with a kilt for Prince George.
Marion Foster, of Askival of Strathearn kilt-makers, designed the garment to allow for the young royal’s growth.
“The organiser asked me if I would make a kilt for Prince George,” she said.
“It’s in the ancient Strathearn tartan. I’ve made it with a hem so it can be lengthened. It should suit him till he’s four or five.
“I think they quite liked it. William was asking if he should have worn a kilt – he said he hasn’t worn one since he was young. He wasn’t keen on the yellow tartan, which is the modern one.”
William also told locals he was enjoying his visit to the region which gives his earldom its name.
Robin Bell said: “He said he was enjoying coming into his earldom and that he felt there was a great deal of history in this area.
“I got the impression this may be the first of many visits.”
The couple had earlier sampled the delights of the village fete.
Arriving to the strains of Hey Jude, played by Brass Central Strathearn, the couple visited stalls set up in the village square.
Kate tried a variety of foods, including a hog roast and fresh ice cream.
Pepper Young, 10, invited the countess to try some oatcakes made by her family firm, Perthshire Oatcakes, and presented her with a friendship bracelet she had made for the occasion.
David Burberry, of Dalchonzie Fruit Farm, joked that he faced being put in the Tower of London for producing a William and Kate jam for the event.
The royal couple were presented with flowers by nine-year-old Elisabeth Dewar and seven-year-old Moss Middleton before watching a display of creative dance by pupils at Forteviot Primary School.