Monday, 6 September 2010
Saturday 4th September Braemar Gathering
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!
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!
Friday 3 September Fort Augustus - Ballater
We awoke to another beautiful day. Temperature 8 degrees but soon rose to 20 degrees. There was fog over the Lock. This is where Loch Ness begins. We drove to the start of Loch Ness and watched the swing bridge open to allow boats, including a rescue boat to enter the lock to take them into the Caledonian canal.
From Fort Augustus we drove alongside the lock with the deep, dark mysterious waters of the Loch on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. The cliffs were covered with heather and other grasses but there were warnings about rock falls. Lock Ness is long and narrow - is over 200 m deep and flows from Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch – a distance of 23 miles. Didn’t see Nessie!!! Mick will be most disappointed.
Stopped at Urquart Castle for a look and meet some other Aussies who left Oz about the same time as us. Urquart Castle over looks Loch Ness and has been the subject of many battles and has been sacked, damaged and rebuilt over the centuries but is still in ruins today.
We continued north to Inverness and then on to Culloden – the scene of the 1746 battle between the Redcoats and the Jocobites under Bonnie Prince Charlie. This is the last battle on British soil. The Scots have built a really good historical centre here and after visiting the interactive museum, we waked the battle field with our own recording. Was very well done.
Just near there, we discovered the Clava Cairns, a group of stone cairns and circles dating from the Neolithic period (about 2000 years old). What amazed me was the fact that these ancient people could construct a vaulted roof of stone.
Very close by was another viaduct – Called the Nairn or Culloden Viaduct depending on what book you are reading. Jo reckons I have her conditioned to driving to find the best vantage point from which to take a photo!!!
We than had to find our way to Ballater. Got lost several times as I took the wrong road and so we had to find our way across country via many side roads!!! Was interesting. “Are we there yet? “ was a frequent question. The one good thing to come out of it is that we came across a Highland Cow! We have been looking for one to photograph since we got here. SOOOO into the farm we go and I found the owner and asked if it was okay to photograph the cows and he was on for a chat!!! He even got food and come down to the fence with us so that the cows would come close. He told us he was a true crofter and spoke a Scottish dialect. Anyway tomorrow, he will be a judge at the Highland Games so will catch up with him again.
We finally arrived in Ballater about 6.30 PM and found our cabin. It is quite cosy so Jo will be happy as a pig in mud tomorrow she can wash to her heart’s content. Mind you, she will have to finish before 10 AM as that is when Shona is collecting us for the Games.
From Fort Augustus we drove alongside the lock with the deep, dark mysterious waters of the Loch on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. The cliffs were covered with heather and other grasses but there were warnings about rock falls. Lock Ness is long and narrow - is over 200 m deep and flows from Fort Augustus to Dochgarroch – a distance of 23 miles. Didn’t see Nessie!!! Mick will be most disappointed.
Stopped at Urquart Castle for a look and meet some other Aussies who left Oz about the same time as us. Urquart Castle over looks Loch Ness and has been the subject of many battles and has been sacked, damaged and rebuilt over the centuries but is still in ruins today.
We continued north to Inverness and then on to Culloden – the scene of the 1746 battle between the Redcoats and the Jocobites under Bonnie Prince Charlie. This is the last battle on British soil. The Scots have built a really good historical centre here and after visiting the interactive museum, we waked the battle field with our own recording. Was very well done.
Just near there, we discovered the Clava Cairns, a group of stone cairns and circles dating from the Neolithic period (about 2000 years old). What amazed me was the fact that these ancient people could construct a vaulted roof of stone.
Very close by was another viaduct – Called the Nairn or Culloden Viaduct depending on what book you are reading. Jo reckons I have her conditioned to driving to find the best vantage point from which to take a photo!!!
We than had to find our way to Ballater. Got lost several times as I took the wrong road and so we had to find our way across country via many side roads!!! Was interesting. “Are we there yet? “ was a frequent question. The one good thing to come out of it is that we came across a Highland Cow! We have been looking for one to photograph since we got here. SOOOO into the farm we go and I found the owner and asked if it was okay to photograph the cows and he was on for a chat!!! He even got food and come down to the fence with us so that the cows would come close. He told us he was a true crofter and spoke a Scottish dialect. Anyway tomorrow, he will be a judge at the Highland Games so will catch up with him again.
We finally arrived in Ballater about 6.30 PM and found our cabin. It is quite cosy so Jo will be happy as a pig in mud tomorrow she can wash to her heart’s content. Mind you, she will have to finish before 10 AM as that is when Shona is collecting us for the Games.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
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