Not so dull around Dull

 This week has seen a lot of excitement about a dull place - and for a very boring reason.

The reason for this has been the decision by the council of the US town of Boring in Oregon to twin itself with the small Scottish village of Dull.

Naturally, the link will have a lot to do with road signs and the publicity such related names will generate for both locations.

And in the case of Dull, these benefits will run deep, as its local economy includes plenty of tourist accommodation and therefore a growth in visitors will bring obvious gains.

Those thinking of climbing on ferries from Belfast to Stranraer to visit Scotland may be wondering whether, however, the area offers wider appeal.

Luckily for Dull, the answer is yes. Perthshire is set in the geographical centre of Scotland and this means it is within easy reach of many other attractions, be it the vibrancy of Glasgow, the history of Edinburgh and Stirling, or the grandeur of the Highlands.

And the latter is right on the doorstep, as some of the highest mountains in Scotland are close at hand.

Dull is near Aberfeldy, through which the A827 passes. Westwards from here lies the 24-miles stretch of Loch Tay, one of the largest lakes on mainland Britain. Above it stands the lofty Lawers range. Those who want to get their walking boots on can climb Ben Lawers, which at 3,982 ft high is the tenth highest mountain in Scotland. Other peaks over 3,000 ft - known as Munros - abound, such as An Stuc and Meall Garbh, two neighbouring peaks in the range of identical 3,668 ft height.

Other nearby Munros include Meall Greigh, Meall a' Coire Leith and Carn Mairg.

The western end of Loch Tay marks the boundary of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park at Killin. This includes many high mountains of its own, such as Ben Lawers (3,852 ft) and Stob Binnein (3,822 ft). Loch Lomond itself is the largest lake on mainland Britain, while nearby Loch Katrine offers popular boat trips. And yet, just a convenient distance south of this lies the metropolitan area around Glasgow.

So visitors to Dull will find its surroundings are anything but.

Larne - Cairnryan

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Larne - Cairnryan

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09/09/2013 - 24/09/2013

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