Brechin hasn't changed a bit!
A COUPLE from America have said they "think Brechin hasn't changed a bit" despite it being more than 40 years since they last visited the town and the surrounding area.
James and Elinor Mallon, hail from just outside of Bismarck, the State capital of North Dakota and Jim spent some time at RAF Edzell during the sixties.
However, having returned for a visit to the area along with his wife, he says so much has stayed the same, despite the best of 40 years having elapsed since their last stop off in the area.
"I wanted to come back and have a tour around Angus while I was still able," said James.
"You have probably heard it said before, but RAF Edzell was arguably the most popular place to be sent for anyone who worked in the American forces and I was no different to that.
"We took a drive past the gates of the old base, but it looked much the same from the outside as I remember it. The countryside around about the former base is just glorious.
"Coming back through Edzell on the way home, we stopped off for lunch and there were a few things that stuck out in my memory.
"The first is that when me and some of the guys from the base used to come back to Edzell for supplies, there was a cafe called Smokey Joes, right beside the muir, which is no longer there.
"However, we also went for a walk along the Rocks of Solitude and I have to say they must be one of the numerous reasons why people who were posted to the base wanted to come back time and time again.
The scenery and landscape are quite stunning and you Scots are so lucky to live in one of, if not the most beautiful, country in the world.
"When we arrived in Brechin, I turned the corner at the top of the High Street and it was like going into a time warp; its just how I remember it.
"Although there are a lot less in the way of shops and retailers, the lay-out of Brechin High Street is exactly how I recall it when we used to come in to town to have nights out or social events.
"One of the things I do recall is getting into a highly competitive game of darts in the Exchange Bar, which is also no longer there in Church Street.
"We had some sort of competition, it might have been Americans versus Scots and it went right to the wire before the home side won the day!
"Things like that were a regular occurrence though. There was always a very good relationship between the Americans and the people in Brechin and Edzell and that's one of the reasons why I was happy to make a return trip.
"I hope that Brechin can get back on its feet with more shops and more choice for the locals and visitors.
"I always remember it as a busy and bustling little place, where the people were so friendly.
"The people are just as friendly now as they were then and I'm delighted we had the chance to fit a visit to Brechin into our retirement plan."
After visiting Brechin, James and Elinor were due to travel to England and Yorkshire, before heading back home to the United States.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
