From Menstrie we moved on to an antiques centre just outside Doune in Stirlingshire where both the good lady and myself bought books.

The one I stumbled upon was Recent English Architecture 1920-1940. Published by Country Life, the content was “selected by the English Architecture Club.” Its cover is shown below.

Lots of great Art Deco buildings are pictured inside. The cover illustration is of Woodside Ventilation Station, Mersey Tunnel, Liverpool. It’s one of those brooding, monolithic, Stalinistic edifices.

From Doune we retreated to Bridge of Allan where we dined out (which is to say we dined inside, of course.)

Afterwards we took a stroll through the town and over its eponymous bridge where I spotted this heron in the Allan Water.

This bird is a bit scruffy looking but they’re fascinating creatures. I don’t remember it moving at all while we were watching it.

I was fairly surprised to see that the pub in Menstrie has Art Deco features. This is the Hollytree; rounded facade, horizontals (and the gable angle) picked out in a different colour from the overall cream, nice stepping on the roofline above the door. The windows have been replaced but the wood effect isn’t too bad.

The photo below shows how it and the neighbouring pharmacy look against the surrounding hills.

Menstrie is a village on the A91 at the Stirling edge of Clackmannanshire. Not much there really but close to hills and the War Memorial is an elegant obelisk.

The 1914-1918 names are in the central shield. 1939-1945 ones are on the plaque below.