Callander Highland Games

Callander Highland Games, originally uploaded by Lay Clerk.

Let's be honest, you wouldn't argue with the guy on the right would you? If he insisted that you tattoo his head you would just do it, no questions asked.

The photo was taken last weekend at Callander World Highland Games. The group, sorry, I can't remember what they were called, consisted of approximately 6 big hairy blokes and 1 fierce looking lady. I don't mean that disparagingly, she only looked fierce in the context of being amongst her colleagues. The instrumental mix was one set of bagpipes, and the rest were drums. Lovely drums. There's something about the primaeval beat of drums which resonates deep within your soul. I love drums me. OK I may be biased, being an ex drummer (in my late childhood) but I still maintain there's something very stirring about them.

But I digress.

The group were bloody fantastic. Traditional Scottish celtic folky type tunes, all to the surging, strong, exciting beat of the drummers. A great find.

So why the hell was I at a Highland Games? Surely they are more suited to photos on the top of tins of shortbread? Or for members of the royal family to attend when they're on holiday (from what!) in Jockland? Yes, all of that. But a couple of friends of RE from New Zealand were visiting, and we had gone to Loch Katrine for a short sail on a boat in the early afternoon, and afterwards found ourselves travelling via Callander back homewards, so stopped off to catch the last hour or so of the games. I was cynical beforehand. Why would anyone choose to go to such a tartan travesty? But I was very pleasantly surprised. The glorious weather helped of course.

The other main find of the weekend for me was a visit to The Lighthouse in Glasgow city centre. If you get a chance, go and have a look. Go on a Saturday because entry is free. And go to both the observation platform and the viewing area at the top of the spiral staircase. The views from each are great!

It's been a while since I've blogged, but as ever real life is getting in the way of virtual life. This weekend, tomorrow morning in fact, I'm off for the inaugural residential rehearsal weekend of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Scottish Voices choir. Should be enjoyable, and no doubt I'll eventually blog about the experience!