Bridge of Allan Highland Games

Today we had a full day at the Bridge of Allan Highland Games.

We arrived not long after the gates opened and stayed there to the end for the final parade of the pipe bands.

Here are just a few photos.

The highland dancing went on all day.

There was the constant skirl of pipes as bands practiced and then competed.

We had seats on some tired seating.

We had a good view of the Heavyweights competitions - first the ladies (for the first tome here) and then the men.

The hammer. Can you see it flying?

Tossing the caber.

Posing for the press at the end.

The winner of the ladies' competition, Juliet Ramsey with the chieftain for the day - Judith Ralston.

There were several cycling events.

Wrestling (over the far side of the arena).

The men's Heavyweight competition included two different weights of hammer.

This chap was one of the judges.

The dancing continued.

The drum major competition.

Over the far side was a funfair.

Some giants appeared.

The final event of the men's Heavyweight competition is throwing the weight over the bar.

There were several running races too. The runners are handicapped and the slower ones have to run a shorter distance. The crowd rather took to this chap who came last in every race and gave him a huge cheer.

Behind us, in the afternoon, a group of welsh ladies on a 50th birthday celebration trip were having a merry time. They were all dressed in kilts and a white T-shirt with names on the back. "Gandalf" decoded she would go and ask the winner of the Heavyweight competition if she could have his shirt!

How could he refuse?

The rain held off until about 5pm, but it wasn't longer after that the final parade of the pipe bands began.

A great day out! I think we might be back next year.

You can see more of my photos and a couple of videos here on Flickr.