Tartan all around

Sunday 5th August

While we were in Thurso the tourist information office lady looked up Highland Games along our planned travel route, and today they were on in Bridge of Allan, 30k from here. We had no information about what time they started so ended up being early, but this meant a close parking spot and a chance to wander and browse before it all started.

What a great day we had with Scottish dancing, pipe bands, backhold wrestling, cycle races, footraces and the heavyweight section (hammer throw, shotput, caber toss). Lots of food and of course fun fair for the kids.

Falconry was a popular thing back in medieval times and we saw
displays of falcons and owls, both at the games and in Edinburgh.
Only £5 to have your photo taken with an owl.

Royal Army of Oman pipe band. They looked pretty slick.
Did the music sound good? Not too sure. It all has a sameness about it
even if the tune is different. I'm guessing they are also playing at the tattoo.

Backhold wrestling competitors. The little dot on the right must have been
about 3 or 4. You put your arms around each other, chin on the others shoulder,
and the first to break the hold or touch the ground with other than feet is the loser.
She actually won one fight - I think he tripped over his own feet.

Smoked fish.
Rob had this for lunch. It's been voted one of the best in Scotland. 

The cycle racing - on grass! Not many competitors but they gave it a good shot.

The highland dancing. We couldn't get very close
because of all the mums and dads and grannies.

Drum major competition - I don't know what the rules are for this one.
I'm guessing dropping the stick while you are twirling it is not a good thing.

About the heavyweights. Firstly, competitors for the heavyweight events must wear a kilt - including the Czechoslovakian fellows competing today. We didn't get to see the caber toss but it was interesting to read how it is meant to be. Cabers vary in length from 4m to 5m and usually weigh about 67.5kg. Prior to the games they keep them in the burn (stream) to let them soak up water and increase the weight, and makes them less likely to split. The aim is to throw it directly ahead so it lands on the heavy end and then the light end makes a perfect turn over and finishes pointing directly in line, away from the thrower. Points are awarded on how straight the caber falls.

We found out on the bus trip yesterday that there are 8 metres of tartan in a kilt - well I reckon there were well over 1000 kilts being worn there today. Some beautiful tartans, too many to pick a favourite.

One of the pipe bands competing was from Brisbane Boys College. They are in Scotland for 3 weeks and are also performing at the tattoo. I thought the tattoo was only a couple of nights but it appears to be twice a night for 3 weeks. Talking to a couple today who went last night and they were in the second showing - 9000 people per show. Amazing!

The boys from Brissie. A little bit of googling shows that thy are also
 playing at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow
in a couple of weeks, as are the Oman Army band.

We finally called it quits at 3.30 and visited the William Wallace monument which we could see from the showgrounds. It is the anniversary of his betrayal so they were doing a short 'play' of the trial of William Wallace.

The National William Wallace monument built in 1881.

This was a replica of William Wallace's sword - six kilos.
Try swinging that around in anger.

View of the river Forth, the location of the battle of Stirling Bridge,
from the monument.

This border collie had an empty water bottle to play with
- he'd drop it at his masters feet then wait till he kicked it away.
I know who will tire of that game first.