Camp 21 Cafe opens at Cultybraggan in Perthshire
A Perthshire prisoner of war camp has welcomed a stream of new customers thanks to the opening of a new cafe.
Ken McCutcheon and his partner Karen Sinclair have opened Camp 21 Cafe at Cultybraggan Camp in Comrie.
The cafe joins the museum and B&B facilities that operate in the grounds.
Ken said: 'I used to have the lease on Frandy Fishery, down in Glen Devon.
'When it came up for renewal I lost that to Gleneagles Hotel – obviously, I couldn't compete with them.
'Karen is a chef and worked at Kippen House nursing home.'
Ken added: 'I didn't want to retire and we were going to get a food trailer. One of Karen's friends had told her about the cafe at Cultybraggan.
'We had a look at it and thought, 'we can probably make a go of this'.
'It needed a bit of money spent on it and that may have put other people off. It didn't have a kitchen in it so we needed to put a fully working one in.'
The couple have welcomed a steady stream of customers since they opened the cafe doors.
Ken said: 'The weekend we opened, they were having their VE celebrations at the camp so it really was a baptism of fire.
'As well as that, last weekend they had a vintage bike event on, so again it was all systems go.
'It's been a busy stretch but the cafe is looking good.'
Karen's menu options include gourmet burgers, toasties, cold-filled rolls and breakfasts, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
Customers have been enjoying what is on offer.
Ken said: 'It has been very good so far.
'The camp were after a cafe, it was one thing they thought was missing.
'It now has one and it's proven to be quite popular, not just by visitors but local people as well.
'The camp are good at letting us know when they have events on so we can cater for that a bit better.
'The first weekend we were thrown into the deep end and we didn't know what to expect. We got through it but just.'
The village took ownership of the camp in 2007 and it is currently run by the Comrie Development Trust.
Last year, the trust backed the managers of the B&B facilities at Cultybraggan after they came last on Channel 4 show Four in a Bed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Statesman
9 hours ago
- New Statesman
Inside Trump's Oval Office
Donald Trump with the British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, in the Oval Office. Photo by Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images To foreign visitors, walking into President Trump's Oval Office has become akin to entering the Colosseum. My fellow ambassadors spend days trying to persuade the White House to allow their incoming head of government to forgo the thrill of the Oval media spray, or at least have the closed-door lunch beforehand as an early barometer of what may be on the president's mind. None succeed. The president is eager for the fray, and the visitor's secret of success is to leave him to it, stay relaxed, speak when spoken to and never take the bait. Keir Starmer's Oval appearance is viewed across Washington's diplomatic corps as the model. It's just a shame that not all of them have a popular king from whom to deliver a state visit invitation. Art of the deal The US-UK trade deal was smart, nimble diplomacy by my embassy and London officials – met by an equal measure of professionalism and goodwill from President Trump's team. When I entered the anything-can-happen Oval Office and picked my way past the Churchill bust and gilt adornments to take my place behind the Resolute desk for the trade deal's launch, the White House protocol officer issued me with clear instructions to stand behind the president and say nothing. I was there in a purely supporting capacity, while the Prime Minister was poised to be dialled in from Jaguar Land Rover's West Midlands HQ to give his endorsement to the VE-Day deal. President Trump was enjoying himself. The conversation and the cameras rolled on, and I was gazing around, soaking in the atmosphere when suddenly he looked over his shoulder and asked if I had anything to say. Luckily my political skills kicked in, my Rolls-Royce gag worked, and I was praised for my 'beautiful accent'. More than an hour (which seemed like a week) later, the press were herded out. The president brandished his trademark Sharpie and presented me with a signed copy of his talking points, plus a stash of signed Maga caps for my staff. They had earned them. No contest My conclusion from listening to the president on this and other occasions is that the secret of his political success is that he always knows what he wants to say, means it when he says it and is never lost for words. He is not gun-shy. The discipline of the administration – Elon Musk notwithstanding – is impressive. Compared with Trump 1, when freelancing secretaries and congressional revolts were widespread in the party, Republicans now are remarkably careful not to show any difference from the president. I regularly commute to the Hill to see House and Senate members, who may not all be cut from the same Trumpian cloth, but have nonetheless heard the views of their electoral base. The Maga movers and shakers who were instrumental to the Trump victory, and now form the DC establishment, are not ideologues. Nonetheless, like Trump and his forceful vice-president, JD Vance, they have clearly formed instincts and deeply held beliefs. They want to see these reflected in pioneering, radical domestic and foreign policies, unfettered by more conventionally minded civil servants and others they refer to as 'the Deep State'. They are impatient and ruthless, and leave those with more moderate politics flailing, unable to decide whether to stick up for their centrism or outflank them to the left. Democrats are, so far, at a loss to know how to oppose Trump. They hold on to the hope that history rhymes, the pendulum will swing and they will regain the House, if not the Senate, in the 2026 midterms. They may well be right, but hope, as they say, is not a strategy. Dog days There is no doubt that for my husband, Reinaldo, and me, living in a historic residence with such a beautiful garden is both a privilege and hard work, with all the hosting and entertaining that comes with the job. It is expected that 18,000 visitors will join us at receptions, events, dinners, salons and roundtables this year. Unfortunately, I cannot compete with my predecessors who conducted a lot of their diplomatic work on the residence's tennis court, but I do have another asset: Jock, the universally popular Ambassa-Dog, who is shortly to make his Instagram debut. He has all the wonderful qualities you associate with a collie and visitors queue up to throw his ball for him, which he retrieves and leaves at other guests' feet. But he is best not startled after he has turned in for the night, as Dame Emily Thornberry, the warm and redoubtable chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, discovered when she strayed into our flat rather than her bedroom when returning to the residence after an evening of networking on the Hill. [See also: How Russia became a franchise of the Wagner Group] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
Final Two Homes Available at Hunter's Meadow, Auchterarder
Homebuyers have a final opportunity to secure one of the last two homes at Hunter's Meadow, Auchterarder. Set against the backdrop of the Perthshire countryside, these four-bedroom detached homes offer high-specification living in a desirable location. From gorgeous Georgian town houses to jaw-dropping penthouses, converted campervans to bargain boltholes. Take a peek at the finest homes across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As a family-run, private housebuilder delivering quality homes across Scotland since 1973, Muir Homes is committed to maintaining high standards of craftsmanship and design. Denewood and Dukeswood are both spacious family homes, designed with modern living in mind. Each features a generous kitchen and dining area, perfect for entertaining, along with a bright and airy lounge. Both homes offer two en-suite bedrooms in addition to a family bathroom, while practical features such as a separate utility room, downstairs WC, and an integral garage provide convenience. Externally, both properties benefit from a monoblock driveway and an enclosed rear garden. Prices start from £349,995. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hunter's Meadow has been carefully designed to complement its surroundings, taking inspiration from the architecture of Auchterarder and Gleneagles. The development features a mix of heritage brick, render, and soft-coloured weather cladding, creating an attractive streetscape. A newly constructed roundabout provides easy access, while landscaped open spaces and a central play area make it a welcoming community for families. Muir Homes Auchterarder is a thriving town, home to a well-serviced High Street with independent shops, a supermarket, a post office, a pharmacy, and cafés. It is also within easy reach of world-class amenities, including Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Resort. Ash Sheikh, Sales and Marketing Director at Muir Homes, commented "We are proud to deliver high-quality, spacious homes at Hunter's Meadow. Our focus is on creating well-designed developments that enhance the communities they are part of, and we look forward to seeing these homes become part of a thriving neighbourhood. 'Muir Homes stepped in to complete the development as part of its commitment to creating vibrant communities. Without intervention, the site was at risk of remaining incomplete, which could have had a negative impact on the local area.'
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Famous fast food chain to shut its LAST branch in UK after being ‘forced into liquidation' with £400k debt
THE LAST branch of a famous fast food chain is set to shut its doors after being "forced into liquidation" with £400k debt. The unique restaurant went viral back in 2022 with its performative staff being purposely rude to guests. 4 The unique restaurant were viral in 2022 Credit: Karen's Diner 4 The chain will now close its last restaurant at the end of this month Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Karen's diner on White Lion Street in London's Islington will close at the end of June after trading for two years. It's the restaurant's last remaining venue in the UK and is regularly described as one of the most memorable and bizarre dining experiences in the capital. With their deliberately rude waiters, Karen's has racked up millions of views on TikTok with clips of them insulting customers. Their website describes it as an "absurdly fun experience" where you are "greeted and waited upon by rude waiters and forced to play a variety of stupid games". The unique eatery was inspired by the popular internet meme of "being a Karen". This meme references people who love to take their anger out on retail staff and people who typically work in customer service establishments. The closure of their last UK branch represents a wider shift for the company as it moves away from permanent venues altogether. They are now looking to establish pop-ups at venues throughout the South of England. But until then, Karen's will be serving up their trademark sass in Islington until the end of the month. A decision not to renew the site on White Lion Street was made earlier this year. The announcement from Karen's said they had "enjoyed being rude to thousands of its customers". But they cited an increase in fixed costs, including business rates, for the closure of its final London location. It comes as Viral Ventures UK Ltd, the parent company of Karen's Diner, was "forced into liquidation" last year after owing £400k to creditors. 4 Staff deliberately insult customers at Karens Credit: Instagram A spokesman for the brand said: "We want to thank the restaurant manager and all of his team for all of their hard work delivering great entertainment night after night. "People don't understand how hard it is to run both a restaurant and a theatre simultaneously, especially in such fierce trading conditions.' The eatery was launched in Sydney, Australia in 2021 and opened its first restaurants in the UK in 2022 with locations in Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham. Launches in London's Islington, Barnet and Brighton followed in 2023 in a rapid expansion. The Sun reported that the chain was growing in popularity with Brits at the time. The Brighton site closed in March after police found traces of cocaine on a baby changing table. A man was also slammed for taking his daughter to Karen's Diner for her eighth birthday. He shared a snippet of the evening's events that left people divided with some thinking it was hilarious and others saying it was "appalling" and "disgusting" to take a young child there.
