Lang may yer lum reek!

And just in case you're wondering . . . that means "Long may the smoke go up your chimney!"  And that's a good thing ~ it really is. : )

'Tis the season to celebrate birthdays, and since we have been very negligent in posting, we have missed a few.  Okay, okay . . . I, Valerie, take the blame.  So what of it? : )

Sara has had her heart set on attending the Scotland County Highland Games for quite some time, and they fell at a very convenient time of the year.  October 1st ~ just two days before her birthday! : )  Since the location is just an hour away from our land and was actually on our way home, it worked out great!

Unlike the few previous days, Saturday dawned damp and chilly.  As they said, it felt like we were having a little bit of weather from Scotland. : )  We packed up camp and headed out.

Follow the yellow . . . uh . . . signs! : )

Our first stop once we were there was to see the solo pipers.  There were some ulterior motives (of which family and local friends know).

Sara's face of concentration as she watches.  The nervous piper . . . the solemn judge behind the table . . . the occasional scribbling on the judge's sheet . . . the short remarks after the piper's (hopefully) clean cut-off . . . it was enough to make you want to hold your breath.

There were kilts literally everywhere.  But what else would you expect?

There were some rather humorous sights as well.  Told you it was cold! : )

The sheep dog demonstrations were very interesting to watch. 

To see the total dedication and loyalty of the dogs was unbelievable!  Every command was met with instant obedience.

And next on the agenda is . . .

The Opening Ceremonies

The Color Guard

The Mass Band

Just got to *L*O*V*E* the trousers! : )

For some odd reason, Dad and Ray just absolutely refuse to even think about wearing them! : )

After the ceremonies and the introduction of the guest of honor, the mass band exited, and the games resumed.

This is the life!

The pipe band competitions were fun to watch.  Maybe it's just the Scottish blood running through our veins, but there seems to be no possible way to listen to the bagpipes playing perfect harmony, the rolls of the snare drums, the steady beats of the bass . . . to watch the acrobatic twirling of the tenor drumsticks, the rhythmic marching, the accuracy in formation . . . without your heart speeding up a little, your attention unwavering, and your foot keeping time with the pipe major's.  And, of course, an occasional glance in the judges' directions. : )

Rewind several months to the local 4th of July parade.  There was a pipe band there, and for the love of piping (namely, Sara), some of us hung around in the background listening to them practice.  And seeing as how it's practically impossible not to notice someone who has been hovering close for about an hour . . . : )  Sara and I talked to them for a few moments ~ and then continued listening to them practice. : )  After all, this was the first pipe band we had ever seen in person.  Time came for the parade, and we scurried to our position on the sidelines just waiting for the (what we soon found out was to be) the smallest "parade" we had ever seen.  As the pipers passed, Sara turned to me and said with a glimmer in her eye, "I could probably beat them to that point over there."  Pointing to another spot of the walking track.  "Wanna go?"  After looking at her as if she were crazy, I agreed, and we were off.  Dodging the puddles and the mass of people was quite a feat, but we succeeded and made it there in plenty of time.  As before, we stood right on the sideline watching them pass.  I thought for sure that would be it, but again Sara looked at me with that gleam in her eye.  "I bet we could make it over there before they do."  I knew it was useless to resist, so "over there" we went . . . I keeping an eye on her as I got caught in the crowd.  By this time, we were getting some curious looks from the police escorts, but that didn't phase Sara.  She had the "fever" as she called it.  We soon realized that the band would be playing in front of the stage, so we joined the crowd that had gathered 'round.  When it came time for them to march out, Sara and I kind of fell into step at a distance behind them and followed them out.  We caught up with them just as they were dispersing, and Sara got her picture taken with most of them.

Now to fast-forward.  After the opening ceremony, Sara and I made our way back to the solo piping.  As we were intently watching the pipers, Sara felt like someone was watching us. A quick glance down to the pipe bands' tents confirmed her suspicions.  Down there, gathered around at their tent, was the same pipe band . . . and they were pointing straight at us as they talked and laughed!!!!  Ha! Ha!  They remembered us!

Throughout the day, all day long, the main field was a bustle of activity as the athletes threw weights, tossed cabers, and just plain wore themselves out.  Every single one of them was going at it for 7 hours with only short breaks here and there.  Wow!  There were a few that came close to making world records.

Such as the man all the way to the right in the background looking into the sky at the sheaf he had just tossed.

  He came SO close to setting a world record in the Master's Division for the sheaf toss.

Those athletes were something else!  The guy that beat everyone in everything (all the way to the left in the yellow sk . . . urrr . . . kilt) is going pro next year.

The guy in the middle is throwing a 56 lb weight over the bar.  (If you look closely, you can see it in the air.)  And to think they were doing this sort of thing all day!

We had never been to the Games before, but this certainly won't be the last!  It was SO . MUCH . FUN!

At the end, there was a game of tug-of-war that anyone could join.  But after watching all those guys throw their weight around all day . . .  Maybe next time! : )

And this is the spot where Sara is planning to be in April.  Different location but same situation.  Nervous piper . . . solemn judge behind the table . . . get the idea?