A sunny afternoon in Scotland (honest!)

Words: Euan

After the brief but energy sapping session on Sunday afternoon at the cauldron that is The Factory (those skylights are the work of the devil when the sun comes out) the newly appointed Skateboard Scotland Chairman, Vice Treasurer, yours truly and associated youngsters decanted to Kinross for some fresh air.

What a delight to be able to skate outside in the sun and especially at Kinross where the wind can be a bit cutting in the mornings. I hadn't been there since last summer so we spent an hour and a half rediscovering the sweet spots of the bowl in what has to be the most laid back concrete park around.

Ben managed to take the tricks he'd been learning on the micro at The Factory onto the 6' half pipe section within about 10 minutes. He'll be taking it to the vert next which he's getting a good taste for just dropping and riding out.

Pete King, who visited the Factory in January for the demo/surgery puts his skills on the vert firmly down to the time he spent learning on the mini ramp and then transferring it up the scale.

However, hunger got the better of us and we eventually headed off home.

On Monday morning I was uncertain as where to head - it was sunny again and there were too many choices thanks to a day off work - Blantyre, Kinross (again), Perth - how about Cupar?

I plumped for Perth - not too far and I might hook up with a mate who slides his longboard like a shrieking banshee across that crete. So off to Perth it was.

I arrived about midday and discovered that the previously free parking along the shore road (which may actually be called Shore Road!) was in the process of getting "metered up" by the council which wasn't so good however the aforementioned meters hadn't been activated yet so - another little bonus.

What was the true gem of the day however was that the park was quiet except for about half a dozen folk some of whom I immediately recognised as I headed towards the park - those Focus boys were back in town!

I can't help but feel self conscious when you're in alone in a beautiful outdoor park with some totally ripping skaters.

Mark Burrows, Mark Foster, Russ Hall, John Anderson (I think) and Colin Kennedy thrown in for good measure.

The sun was glorious and I had the tendency to stand just watching as Mark Burrows and Russ Hall totally flew round the transitions. We all know how much these guys put into it but the magic is to make it look effortless and they did - time after time, run after run.

These two were running lines I had never seen anyone skate at Perth since the day it was built. Had anyone ever considered them? I certainly hadn't. I skate goofy and always relish the opportunity to see other goofy footers pick out nice lines so this stuff was manna from heaven.

Mark Foster was popping massive air over the little hip between the two big banks without even - well anything! He just flew off the hip landing in full flow, up and along the big rail round onto grind rails at frightening speed.

That was another bonus to the sweetness - the speed. Big wheels - wee wheels, it's pure technique and these guys were rubbing it all over the park.

It's hard to try and trundle around when these blokes are sitting watching - you'd half expect someone to laugh at you when you park on your blunt end but they were just chilin in the glorious sunny afternoon.

Colin Kennedy clapped his hands and applauded as a wee guy popped up and slid the rail on top of the fun boxes before popping off again and riding away. Nice.

All in all a brilliant day skating in Perth. Not even a fatal flatspot on one of my wheels could get me down.

Soak it up.