Harpenden Highland Gathering

**Chas** · 15th July 09, 05:06 PM

Somme Battlefield Pipe Band in the display area

Some other stuff before the final

You might have noticed that there have been no pictures of the heavy games. There is a reason for this - the standard was very poor, even I could see that. The other thing is I think possibly more important, half the competitors didn't wear kilts. Or as in the case of the overall winner, put a kilt on to receive the trophy. I thought it was wrong so didn't photograph it.

Moving swiftly on.

The winning Solo Piper.

And the piper who came second.

Just for the record, the piper father of the boy in the "Sporran bites Woman" thread came nowhere.

Picture of a very dapper gentleman. Note the belt through the sporran loops, but the sporran belt not.

The Parade Marshal. Wearing a Prince Charlie that was too small and a long tie. He smoked the foulest smelling roll-ups. When I was in the RAF we used to call it "Camel $h1t and Cannabis". It smelled awful. Although he was Parade Marshal, no one took a blind bit of notice of his directions all day.

I suppose really I should have a picture of me just to prove I was there. This is me with a young man from Kenya, whose name is (this is no lie - he showed me his passport) Peter Myfatherhasthebiggestpotatoes. It's a cultural thing - I don't understand it either.

**Chas** · 15th July 09, 05:37 PM

Closing Ceremony

Unfortunately the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band had to leave early; they had a ferry to catch, back to France.

The final was a bit chaotic. Everybody wanted the massed bands to have a final all together. So in the end the massed bands held a final parade off to one side while the lack lustre caber tossing was going on in the main arena.

The Bedford and the Somme Battlefield Pipe Bands.

The Bedford Band had sponsored and hosted the Frenchmen for the duration.

The final parade.

The Official Finish

Note the 'Black Watch' has joined the parade to make up for the missing Somme Battlefield Pipe Band.

Well that concludes the day at the Harpenden Highland Gathering.

On the way home there was a small incident. I stopped at a Motorway services for a bite to eat. As I walked through the food hall I passed a table of 20somethings. One of their number burst out laughing and pointed at me. I stopped in mid stride and stared him down. Suddenly the rest of the table erupted with apologies and were begging me to forgive the idiot in their midst (their words). I did so and they bought my a huge meal and I am happy the say we all parted in good spirits (even the idiot).

THE END

**kscaddo** · 15th July 09, 06:10 PM

Those are some fantastic pics! Thanks for posting.

**Paul** · 15th July 09, 06:20 PM

great pics and videos!
You're descriptions are nice and clear and the popatoes thing is hilarious. I can believe it though.
I once met a guy called Abi (nickname) from Nigeria. I don't recall what his actual forename was - but he showed my his passport and it was 40 something characters. It meant "the reincarnation of [his grandfather's name]" because his grandfather died hours before he was born. He explained that his gramdfather's name was very long too!

and the fact that some Scottish names mean the silliest things i.e. Campbell just emphasises that names can be fun and funny!

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 15th July 09, 08:35 PM

Peter Myfatherhasthebiggestpotatoes. It's a cultural thing

Thats blinkin priceless.

Also, I have reason to believe that these pics are photoshopped, as everyone i talk to who has travelled / lived in the UK tells me it rains all the time...looks like a great day... ;)

great pics and post.

**David Dalglish** · 15th July 09, 11:45 PM

Great set of Pictures

**McClef** · 16th July 09, 01:30 AM

Great set of pictures indeed.

There were a couple more pipe bands than last year but the crowds watching seem less and it's not just the X Markers who didn't make it this year that are responsible for the difference.

But maybe there will be more of us there again next year.

**cessna152towser** · 16th July 09, 02:25 AM

Fabulous pictures and videos Chas, sorry I couldn't make it this year.
Obviously a warm day otherwise the young lady drummer in your "Last Band Leaving the Field" video would have realised that the front selvedge of her kilt was snagged on her drum.
The commentator needs a lesson on etiquette though, he should not be doing voice-overs while the bands are playing.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 16th July 09, 03:11 AM

Thank you for posting !

Just like being there.

Best,

Robert

**Chas** · 16th July 09, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

great pics and videos!
You're descriptions are nice and clear and the popatoes thing is hilarious. I can believe it though.

He was so proud of his father's potatoes - and I was struggling not to laugh. He wanted to send me an email with pictures of the potatoes, but - when you've seen one potato; you've seen them all.

Originally Posted by ###KILTEDKIWI###

Thats blinkin priceless.

Also, I have reason to believe that these pics are photoshopped, as everyone i talk to who has travelled / lived in the UK tells me it rains all the time...looks like a great day... ;)great pics and post.

It was a hot bright day. I was wearing a Balmoral and my glasses are photo-chromatic (the brighter it is the darker they get). On Monday I looked like a panda - red face and white eyes and a white band half way up my forehead.

Originally Posted by McClef

Great set of pictures indeed. There were a couple more pipe bands than last year but the crowds watching seem less and it's not just the X Markers who didn't make it this year that are responsible for the difference.

But maybe there will be more of us there again next year.

There should have had a fifth band - the British Airways Pipe Band. But it seems that they are victims of the recession as well. BA has withdrawn funding for them - so if it doesn't pay; they don't go. They have never had to worry about funding in the past and have no money at all now. Everything belongs to BA and the word is that they might be defunct before the end of the year.

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Fabulous pictures and videos Chas, sorry I couldn't make it this year.Obviously a warm day otherwise the young lady drummer in your "Last Band Leaving the Field" video would have realised that the front selvedge of her kilt was snagged on her drum. The commentator needs a lesson on etiquette though, he should not be doing voice-overs while the bands are playing.

Alex, the atmosphere and feel of the event was almost like Hawick, just not quite as good. It is as they say "A day out with a Scottish Flavour".

I have a new 'wish list' and at the top is not a kilt, but a new camcorder. I was using my little Sony Cyber-shot. A good pocket camera, but it only has a 3X zoom.

I will definitely be going again next year. There were many kilties and ex-pat Scots there and all I talked to were interested in X Marks. So for next year, a new camcorder, lots of cards to give out and, almost forgot, a new kilt.

Regards

Chas