The Braemar Gathering
Helga, Bjorn, Dick and I left pretty early on Saturday to attend the Braemar Gathering. The weather was foggy and overcast but not raining. I was happy that our friends were able to see the Highlands' Grampian Mountains. We stopped for a break at the Glenshee Ski Area. Then just a short bit further we were directed by police to turn off onto the single track gravel road going in the back way to Braemar. Lovely.
Helga, Dick and Bjorn in our Seats.
I had called for ringside seats the day before. We were quite happy to find that we were in section D, directly in front of the caber, stone, hammer, and weight toss arena. Off to the side was the tub of war section. Across the field were the highland dancers, the royal box, and some track step-hop-leap events.
All of us loved watching the caber toss. These athletes are from all over the world...two world class from Poland and one from New Zealand. They did this event, along with the weights and stones ALL DAY LONG!
This handsome guy was huge. A highlander in his clan garb keeping the track clear.
This is an example of the weight toss. We witnessed at the end of the day a tie to break the records at 16'9". Two of the athletes did make it over the record of 16'8". Our section really began to be boosters for the event and would yell to get this going building louder at the toss.
this is the pipers band.
I believe this is one of the hammer tosses.
I took this picture even though you cannot see the detail. This is the HILL RACE. The athletes run one lap around the track and then go up the TWO HILLS in the background. We could actually see the outlines of them on the far hill horizon as they ran across the top before coming back down. A gun was fired when the first athlete made it to the top.
One of the winners of the Hill Race coming back inside the track. The entire back of the athletes were covered in mud. INCREDIBLE.
The small white building in the left background is the Royal Pavilion. The queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles and Princess Anne came in at 3pm to watch and give awards. I hope to get some of Helga's photos as my camera ran out of battery.
Following are Helga's pictures
The athletes knelt as the Queen arrived
The Royal Family in their box
Helga caught this great picture of the two lassies competing in The Highland Fling. Look at those leaps!
Nearing the completion of the Gathering, the finalists were allowed to try to toss The BRAEMAR CABER! None ever got it flipped to 12 o'clock position.
The Queen's departure.
About a 2 1/2 hour drive back to St. Andrews. We stopped at Guardsbridge Hotel and they treated us to dinner.
A GREAT DAY.
Helga, Dick and Bjorn in our Seats.I had called for ringside seats the day before. We were quite happy to find that we were in section D, directly in front of the caber, stone, hammer, and weight toss arena. Off to the side was the tub of war section. Across the field were the highland dancers, the royal box, and some track step-hop-leap events.
All of us loved watching the caber toss. These athletes are from all over the world...two world class from Poland and one from New Zealand. They did this event, along with the weights and stones ALL DAY LONG!
This handsome guy was huge. A highlander in his clan garb keeping the track clear.
This is an example of the weight toss. We witnessed at the end of the day a tie to break the records at 16'9". Two of the athletes did make it over the record of 16'8". Our section really began to be boosters for the event and would yell to get this going building louder at the toss.
this is the pipers band.
I believe this is one of the hammer tosses.
I took this picture even though you cannot see the detail. This is the HILL RACE. The athletes run one lap around the track and then go up the TWO HILLS in the background. We could actually see the outlines of them on the far hill horizon as they ran across the top before coming back down. A gun was fired when the first athlete made it to the top.
One of the winners of the Hill Race coming back inside the track. The entire back of the athletes were covered in mud. INCREDIBLE.
The small white building in the left background is the Royal Pavilion. The queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles and Princess Anne came in at 3pm to watch and give awards. I hope to get some of Helga's photos as my camera ran out of battery.Following are Helga's pictures
The athletes knelt as the Queen arrived
The Royal Family in their box
Helga caught this great picture of the two lassies competing in The Highland Fling. Look at those leaps!
Nearing the completion of the Gathering, the finalists were allowed to try to toss The BRAEMAR CABER! None ever got it flipped to 12 o'clock position.
The Queen's departure.About a 2 1/2 hour drive back to St. Andrews. We stopped at Guardsbridge Hotel and they treated us to dinner.
A GREAT DAY.
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