Sunday, October 21, 2018

Pitlochry and the Pitlochry Highland Games.


The following quotes were taken from the website of the Pitlochry Highland Games:
  • It was a tremendous gathering for what is the end of the outdoor games season and people told us they built their trip to Scotland around the Pitlochry Highland Games.
  • We had a crowd of around 7,000 from all over the World, who witnessed great competitions throughout the day, bathed in glorious sunshine.
  • The turnout was the largest in the games’ history.
In fact, we did pick our travel dates to include the Pitlochry Highland Games! September 8, 2018 the temperature as about 70 degrees and sunny. It did get a bit cloudy later but stayed warm and dry. We happen to overhear some games officials talking about how great the day was starting out, and it would likely makeup for the past two years where rain had put a serious damper on attendance.

But first of all, the town of Pitlochry is a must visit for tourists. It is centrally located in Scotland and near lots of landmark spots to visit. It is close to Blair Castle and the village of Blair Atholl, with its wonderful, working watermill, the Falls of Bruar, Killiekrankie visitor centre and the close by Braes of Killiekrankie (where one of the first Jacobite battles was fought in July of 1689), the Birks of Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, the Queens View near Loch Tummel, Tay Forest, Cairngorms National Park, and so much more.

The town itself has great restaurants, shops, bed and breakfasts, hotels, a helpful visitor centre and, wait for it, two distilleries, The Blair Athol distillery (spelt with one l) and the Edradour distillery. The question on your mind.... well of course we did!

Back at the games, there were 16 pipe bands competing, as well as numerous dancers and athletes. I included photos and videos that I took that day. Notice how young some of the competitors are among the dancers, pipe bands and athletes. (Makes me wonder why some of the organizers of some festivals in the USA claim that by bringing in “Celtic” rock bands it brings in a younger crowd. Do you really think that these young folks are interested in “Celtic” rock bands?)

Also, take notice that the way it was arranged with the large oval field and from the terrace on one side of the oval you could watch everything at once, dancing, pipe bands, highland athletics, track and field, cyclists, and tug of war all going on in front of you in one big field.

A truly great event!


















The massed bands at the end of the day.





2 comments:

nikkisa889 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
yosabrams0918 said...

Howdy! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great information you will have right here on this post. I shall be coming again to your blog for more soon. online casino slots