The Great Scottish Adventure

**Chas** · 28th June 11, 04:45 PM

Up early Sunday morning.

Must admit, I was a bit fearful. It is one thing to try and inform the English about kilt wearing and clan affiliation and Scottish history and heritage down at Harpenden.

But going up to Scotland and trying to tell them - more than once I thought that I was mad! If they didn't laugh at me they were sure to throw me out.

How wrong I was.

So we get to Mansfield Park for 08:00 and start setting up. Like all these things, there are never enough people to help and Alex and I were busy helping with the dancing stage. What a Chinese Puzzle that was.

Anyway, I had invested in a nice pop-up marquee and a couple of 20 foot flagpoles (eBay specials). And with very little effort the stall was up.

Alex and I in front:

And me looking fantastic on my own:

The noticeboard on the outside:

Once the gates opened to the public, I had a steady stream of visitors of all ages. The youngest was about 10 and the oldest must have been over 80. The whole of the Hawick pipe band descended on me on mass. They had to be rousted out by the other pipeband because the parade was about to start and they weren't on the field.

They weren't just humouring me - "Let's have some fun with the stupid Englishman". Oh, no - they wanted to know. There was almost a desperate hunger to their questions. One 'groom to be' was asking my opinion about the kilts he and his family were hiring for his wedding. When I mentioned that white hose marked the outfits as 'hire kilts' he was straight on the phone to Andersons of Dumfries and changed them to navy. Right there in front of me.

One group of early teens, after discussing various aspects of kiltwearing decided to ask their head teacher (principle) whether the kilt could be added to the school uniform.

That set the tone for the rest of the day. I was in the tent doling out information and whatever was happening out side, well, it was happening outside.

I did manage to get a couple of shots of the pipebands. The Scout Fellowship pipeband did a double turn at the barrier. I thought that I had missed the shot and they were marching away.

But no, they turned around, marched back, turned and continued off again. I have never seen that before.

The rain had been holding off all day. After most of the events were complete, the heavens opened and effectively the day was over.

All that was left was to pack up when the rain eased off. Alex and I were two of the last to leave. Re-packed the car and then off for a bite to eat before heading home. Went to a local place called BeenScene (I think). A great variety of foods from around the world - I told you Alex knows some great eateries!

So final thoughts.

One day in Edinburgh is not enough! I could easily have spent a week in the Royal Mile alone.

If you are going to make any purchases - HAGGLE. Walk out of the shop and into the one next door. If you are from outside the EU, ask about VAT exemption on goods you are taking back home. (You still have to pay it on the meal you are eating, but not on the jacket that you will be wearing at home.)

Work out what is Value For Money for you. If you are only going to wear a certain jacket twice a year, does it have to cost £600?

Note to self - Get descent batteries for my camera!

Would I do the XMarks stall again in Scotland Oh, yes.

It was a great trip - Alex is a fantastic host.

I got home at 02:00 in the morning - tired but so happy. I am looking forward to next year already.

Regards

Chas