Scotland: Day 2 (Highland Games)

For our second day with Ross and Anna we headed to a highland games. Along the way we stopped briefly at the Falls of Feugh to see if we could see any salmon heading upriver. We watched several salmon try to get up the falls. Unfortunately we did not see any make it all the way up, we enjoyed cheering all of them on.




This highland games, the Braemar Gathering, is frequently attended by the royal family, as their estate (Balmoral) is just down the road. This year was no exception. Partway into the games the action stopped, the secret service types (MI5s) appeared, and the Queen's Bently rolled into the arena. They made themselves comfortable in this fine little house surrounded by Paparazzi.


One of my favorite parts of the games were the piper band competitions. I particularly enjoyed this drummer practicing outside the grounds.


At one point all of the piper bands marched through the arena together. It was an impressive sight/sound.






The pipers in action:


The heavy games were also a lot of fun. We watched the weight over the bar event where large men in kilts attempt to throw heavy weights over their heads and over a bar. The man pictures below tied the record, but was not able to beat it.


Next came the caber toss where they throw large trees. Fascinating!




Tug of war was another favorite. This was a contest between the staff of Balmoral and another nearby estate


The Queen departing.