Aberfeldy Twins With the ‘Scottish Capital of Texas’; Town Begins Training Highland Cattle to Answer to ‘Y’all’
The Highland Perthshire town has agreed to twin with Salado, Texas, which hosts its own Highland Games. Locals are already arguing about whether a Stetson counts as a bonnet.
A Perthetic cartoon of the new special relationship, as seen from Wade's Bridge. Illustration: Perthetic Cartoon Desk (digital illustration; not a photograph)
Aberfeldy is getting a twin, and it is about 4,800 miles away, wears a cowboy hat and holds its own Highland Games.
After a lively public meeting in the town, a twinning agreement with Salado in Texas, which proudly calls itself “the Scottish capital of Texas”, has been approved. The agreement is due to be signed at the Salado Highland Games, which run from 13 to 15 November.
Salado is a small village of a few thousand people in central Texas, with a Scottish heritage centre, clan tents, pipe bands and a very strong opinion about haggis. Aberfeldy is a small town of a few thousand people in Highland Perthshire, with a Scottish heritage centre, which is the whole town, and an equally strong opinion about haggis.
“It’s a perfect match,” said one Aberfeldy shopkeeper. “They’ve got ranches, we’ve got crofts. They’ve got longhorns, we’ve got Highland coos with a fringe. They’ve got the Brazos River, we’ve got the Tay. They’ve got 35°C in summer. We’ve got… well, we’ve got the Tay.”
Not everybody is convinced. A man outside the Co-op on Dunkeld Street said he had nothing against Texas, but wanted it confirmed in writing that nobody would be expected to line dance. “I did the Gay Gordons at a wedding in 1983,” he said. “I’m not going through all that again for a stranger in boots.”
The Perthetic understands that cultural exchanges are already being planned. Aberfeldy is expected to send tablet, a Birks of Aberfeldy postcard and a full explanation of the offside rule in shinty. Salado is expected to send barbecue sauce and a hat so large that Wade’s Bridge may need a weight limit.
A woman from Kenmore said she had looked Salado up on a map and was pleased. “It’s got a creek, a mill and a lot of people called MacSomething,” she said. “Honestly, it’s Aberfeldy with a sunburn.”
The Highland cattle at a farm near the town were unavailable for comment. One was seen chewing a leaflet about the Alamo.
The real story: Aberfeldy twinning with Salado, Texas (The Courier)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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Our coos will not be answering to ‘y’all’. They barely answer to their own names, and I’ve known Morag for eleven years.
— Alasdair M., Aberfeldy, 2 November 2026 -
If they send us sunshine we’ll send them midges. Fair trade.
— Kirsty D., Weem, 2 November 2026 -
I’ve been to Texas. Everything is bigger. I look forward to seeing their face when they see the size of the Co-op.
— Graham P., Kenmore, 2 November 2026 -
Pitlochry would like it noted it was never asked. We’d have twinned with Las Vegas. We’ve got the theatre.
— Sheena W., Pitlochry, 2 November 2026
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