Another fine day. Shona picked us up at 10 AM and we drove to Braemar. Parked in a cow paddock and then walked up to the Gathering venue. Ella, Shona’s mum got our tickets and we were in the Ringside seats, right in the front row and directly opposite Ma’am’s tent. Fantastic seats.
We had no sooner sat down and we were initiated into the Highland hospitality. The four guys sitting next to us come every year. They soon introduced us to one of the 11 brands of whisky that they had sourced for the day. They call themselves “The Braemar Imbibers” – Have one (or more on Us). They have a doll dressed in traditional Scottish kilt and bagpipes who is called Hamish. You can check them out at www.hamishatbreemar.com . The guys continued their hospitality all day!!! The consequence was that I was quite merry by the time ma’am left and the people did too.
It was a really fantastic day. It all seemed so low key when compared with events in Oz. There was an International Tent where you signed the book, then put you name on a tag and pinned it to the place in the world from whence you came. We were presented with a sprig of heather to place on our clothes, a wee dram of whisky and some shortbread biscuits.
As the massed pipe bands marched around, we had to put our belongings under our seats and tuck our legs in as we were the edge of the arena. Ma’am, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and her husband arrived at 3PM and stayed for just over an hour. The Queen presented all the medals to the winners. When she left, she droved right passed us.
Saw the guys tossing the kaber; Putting 16 stone; Throwing a 42 lb & 56 lb weight over Bar, one handed; dancing, Hill race etc. When Shona said they were racing up the mountain, I thought it was the hill close to us but it was a mountain in the distance!!! And they were up and back in no time. The big event of the day, was the armed services tug-a-war. Most of the guys have just returned from either Iraq or Afghastan.
After the games concluded we went to the local pub for a few drinks then headed back to Ballatar where we had dinner before Shona dropped us home.
Then! On Scottish TV News that night, the camera man did a scan of the crowd and guess who was there ?? On national TV!
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