Highland games virgin

[creagdhubh]

"Baking sun"???!!! What's that?

***

The sun doesn't really "bake" you in Scotland in August. Though, there are indeed some warm days up north in the Highlands, it's nothing like the heat and humidity we tend to get in the States. It's advisable to pack for all seasons, layering is key. This is mountain weather after all and conditions can change rather quickly and without any warning. Below are a few photos of me in Scotland, specifically in and around Newtonmore, Kingussie and Laggan in Inverness-shire, during the month of August. I try to go every year to attend the annual Clan Macpherson Gathering and Rally in Badenoch.

Hill-walking near Creag Dhubh (I don't always do this whilst kilted as sometimes, it can be quite impractical).


Getting ready for the march from Old Ralia to The Eilan (I am holding the Bratach Uaine, or "The Green Banner" of the Clan Macpherson Association).




The men of the Clan Macpherson on the move!



Having a chat with Lachlan Macpherson of Glentruim and his mother, Lady Glentruim.


Luncheon with our Chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie (seated in the center with Scots Guards neck tie), TD at Lachie Mackintosh's house in Newtonmore.


Cheers,

[imrichmond]

***

The sun doesn't really "bake" you in Scotland in August.

Obviously you weren't sitting in the grade 1 enclosure stands at the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green last August 11th! The sun was relentless. No shade anywhere, not a cloud in the sky. The only relief from the sun was in the overcrowded, standing-room-only beer tent, where it could take up to 40 minutes to get a drink by the time you had queued outside to buy a drink ticket and then queued again inside to get the drink. This sort of weather may not be typical, but it certainly happens. Since most highland games take place in an open field with little to no shade for spectators, I would advise having a sun hat handy just in case.

[creagdhubh]

Obviously you weren't sitting in the grade 1 enclosure stands at the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green last August 11th! The sun was relentless. No shade anywhere, not a cloud in the sky. The only relief from the sun was in the overcrowded, standing-room-only beer tent, where it could take up to 40 minutes to get a drink by the time you had queued outside to buy a drink ticket and then queued again inside to get the drink. This sort of weather may not be typical, but it certainly happens. Since most highland games take place in an open field with little to no shade for spectators, I would advise having a sun hat handy just in case.

You're right, I wasn't (though, I have attended the World's before, yet it was mostly rainy and miserable). And to be fair, I further eluded to the fact that the verb "bake" is fairly subjective and when applied to warm, summertime weather in Scotland and the US, you typically end up with different results. I know there have been some rather hot days in Scotland, I have experienced them, yet I have never experienced anything remotely close to the heat and dreaded humidity felt in some areas of the US. This is all I was saying, mate. Your advice of having a sun hat handy whilst attending a Highland games is sound and I completely agree.

Cheers,

[Alan H]

I will be at Stirling, this coming July. It's one of the four Games I plan to compete at, while I'm over there.

I will be dressed in a kilt, whatever hose are in my suitcase and still clean, and a t-shirt. If it's bluidy cold I'll have on a set of polypropylene leggins and long underwear tops, and may have a black Tommy Kono neoprene gut support band on.... and a green handkerchief on my head.

See? I have my wardrobe all planned out!

[creagdhubh]

I will be at Stirling, this coming July. It's one of the four Games I plan to compete at, while I'm over there.

I will be dressed in a kilt, whatever hose are in my suitcase and still clean, and a t-shirt. If it's bluidy cold I'll have on a set of polypropylene leggins and long underwear tops, and may have a black Tommy Kono neoprene gut support band on.... and a green handkerchief on my head.

See? I have my wardrobe all planned out!

Well done, Alan!

Cheers,

[cessna152towser]

Bridge of Allan games.
Well, no clan tents or clan march.
You will see a reasonable amount of kilts, not just on the pipe bands but on a minority of the spectators too.
Large funfair with carousels, dodgems etc.
Lots of trade stalls selling stuff entirely unrelated to highland games.
Pipe band contest.
Heavy Athletics.
Highland Dancing.
Lots of other sports, cycling, running and even women's wrestling!
It will be a great day out.