Time in the sun

I do have some constants in my life. Certain activities or smells or places that invoke a familiar and well-loved feeling. One of mine...going to Highland Games.

It starts with heading to a large park or fairground. Today it was Levengrove Park in Dumbarton on the River Clyde. 

The sound of pipes in the distance is the reassurance you are headed in the right direction (except for my dancing days when we were the first to arrive at what seemed like the break of dawn). I start to notice an above average number of people in kilts and people lugging enough stuff to set up camp for a week.

Subconsciously I stand up straighter, push my shoulders back, stretch my neck long, walk with a bit of a swagger. Dance mode. 

Not that I have any delusions that I could actually still Highland dance. No desire to either. I absolutely loved it. The athleticism of it. The pipes and melodies. The sway of the kilt. The competition. The feeling of being suspended in the air with each beat. The events I got to be part of. There is nothing like dancing at a Tartan Ball with a full pipe band. Although I tired of the politics and seriousness that crept into certain competitions, I never lost the thrill of dancing through the 11 years I danced. I did have some temporary sadness at quitting when I went to uni. But I knew it was the right time and have never wanted to put my body through the rigor of it again.

Still the first thing I did today at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships was to go to the dancing stage. Watched wee beginners do their pas de bas (don't remember if that is the correct spelling). Hair in buns plastered to their heads (with probably 20-30 bobby pins stabbing into their scalp to force it stay in place). Mums that have mastered how to manage the schedule, heat, clothing malfunctions, etc. I know it very well.

On to the pipe bands. Compared to dancing, I really know very little about pipe band competitions. I just love listening to the bands. How much? I sat in the sun for 5 hours today. Not much will entice me to do that. Good crowd enjoying the competition (although Katie preferred to not be distracted by the poms of the drummers while listening and hence had her back to the bands - the dog in this photo)

Here is Inverary & District Pipe Band at the line learning which selection they should play. The pipe major, Stuart Liddell, is one of my piping idols. If you like piping and have not heard of him, google. 

We are only a few weeks away from the World Pipe Band Championships. The bands are sounding sharp. Many of the bands that competed today often place in the top ten at Worlds, including the band who is the reigning Worlds winner for two years running (and took the trophy today along with the British Championships a few weeks ago). So much talent in these bands. If I had to pick one Scottish band to root for, it is Scottish Power Pipe Band. Ever since seeing an incredible gig by them, I have been a fan.  

Here are some images from the day. Some people came more prepared for battle than the rest of us. 

Some last minute practicing for the drum majors before the final...