Kilted fortnight holiday in scotland & france

[Mael Coluim]

My wife Sharon sees me to the Richmond, VA airport for my connecting flight to Scotland to participate in The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh. I am wearing my causal USA Kilt in the Caledonia tartan. It was a great choice for my hop across the pond.



Preflight preparations were essential for the night flight.

[Mael Coluim]

Sharon’s request on all my trips from home is to bring her home a stuffed sheep. It’s my first thing I do when I attend Highland Games. Find a sheep and then I can enjoy the festival. When I cleared Customs at the Edinburgh Airport at the exit door was a Visit Scotland Information shop and there was Willie the Wee Sheep. Success!

Here Willie and I wait for the train at Waverly Station to take us to Pitlochry. I will be attending the Donnachaidh Clan pre- Gathering activities there.

[Mael Coluim]

Here are some pix I took from the train on the way. Not the best, but gives you some idea of the scenery.

[Mael Coluim]

When I arrived at my booked hotel, I was told they were overbooked and they had another place for me to stay. I was too tired to argue, just let me go where I can end my long day. As it turned out, I really liked the Acarsaid where I stayed. The manageress informed me this evening there would be Highland entertainment in town. What a treat it would turn out to be!

The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band started in the city center and led us to the parade grounds where the activities commenced. Here’s a link on Youtube on the Band’s performance of the 2009 British Championships.

Here’s the procession to the fair grounds.

[Mael Coluim]

It was a beautiful venue with wonderful entertainment.










I wore my Newsome XMarks tartan box pleat. After the festivities I retired to nearby pub for a night cap.



It was a great first day in Bonnie Scotland!

More to come, tomorrow.

[BruceBC]

Thanks for the great photos..They brought back memories from my trip last year. I watched a pipe band practice at those fair grounds. I look forward to seeing more. Hope you are having a blast.

[Riverkilt]

Ain't them USA Kilts comfy to fly in!?

Ron

[Mael Coluim]

Ain't them USA Kilts comfy to fly in!?

Ron

Aye, Ron the best! My return flight time from lift off at Geneva to touch down at Richmond was 16 & 1/2 hours. With all that sitting, it was the perfect kilt to have on and move about the plane and airports.

[Rollo]

Thancks for sharing theses beautiful pics !

[Ancienne Alliance]

The adventure starts ! ith:

Great pictures of Day One !

This is going to be grand !


Happy you made it safely home. Evangéline checked out my closet to make sure my Robertson kilt was not gone with "le Monsieur".


Best,

Robert