To The Highlands and The Games at Ballater

HUGE DAY TODAY!! We were off to the Highland Games in Ballater. Heading north from St. Andrews, across the Tay Bridge and the Firth of Tay, on through Coupar Angus and entering the gorgeous HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND I so love!! Up route A93 into Crairngorms National Park. The heather is in bloom all the way to the sky. Incredible beauty here.
We had rain most of the way but not heavy rain. However, I the sun was never quite bright enough to catch the heather on the hills. So just use your imagination to see these hills abloom with the heather to the sky.
Then a quick pit stop at Glenshee Ski Area. Brrrrr..cold at this altitude of 1018. Several ski lifts in the area and half-way houses near he upper lifts. We saw many hikers pullig on the wool socks and ready to hike in the hills.

Onward pass the Braemar castle, hoards of tourists at the Balmoral Castle and then into the parking area for The Games at Ballater. It was a mowed down wheat field that was a BOG! Slippin and Slidein we drove and slid our way to the third row of parking and got out the rain gear; on with the pants, the jacket, the hat, the umbrella and muck through the mire to the field.

Really, it was sun on and rain on...always on and off but we were never uncomfortable.

Upon entering the field, we immediately came across Glenfiddich's booth for tasting their single malts...the 8, 15, and 18. Lovely. Served with a drop of water to bring out the flavors and aromas. They had sample aromas on the tasting table for you to compare...pear, cinnamon, etc.

The Games were played in one huge field with events going on continuously here and there...rather like a big track event in the US


The field events included the Hammer Throw (heavy and light); The Stone Toss over the head and the bar above; and the most impressive Tossing the Caber. Quite fun to watch the younger locals. The huge "TREE" had to be lifted,braced by the shoulder and then tossed upward where it MUST flip over and land at 12 o'clock. Some of the young local boys did get the toss upward and over, but fell at 3 o'clock. ALAS. We did not stay late enough to watch the Scottish Champs compete in this event. However, we did see the champs do the Heavy Hammer toss.

Amongst the walking around the outside of the field was the fun in watching the locals...like this family of 3 plus the 3 dogs. And the next picture of a lovely couple with their baby Mabel, a labradoodle...
We were quite attracted to Mabel. . a sweetie

Of course the highlights also included the open dancing competitions, the Piping competitions and seeing the Pipe Band march through the grounds playing Scotland The Brave.

To enter a competition, one only must buy an entry to the gate. The competition is open to all abilities and all ages. We loved to cheer the kids racing events. Each child received a quite lovely lollipop and the winners 1st. 2nd. 3rd won prize money. The kids were fielded in the front by the wee ones and the older in the category to the rear. They ran like brave hearts!!


We took a quick turn in the village of Ballater before heading back to St. Andrews and through Dundee at PEAK TRAFFIC.


Back to St. Andrews safely and over to Ogstons to watch the PGA Championship on the tellie and have a burger and chips...followed by fudge cake and ice cream and apple pie with ice cream.


Good thing were walking the Old Course tomorrow.

A Fine Day.