On Sunday the 12th of July, I visited the Harpenden Highland Gathering. I had only ever been to one other Gathering or Highland Games and that was in Hawich, so this second one had a lot to live up to.
They use a clever ploy - cheap, discounted or free entrance and then make their money on food and drinks. It certainly works as the people were flocking in.
I arrived well before the official start time but they let me in because I was wearing a kilt; the stalls were setting up already.
There are always vast numbers of highland dancers for the competition, so they start as soon as the first arrive.
Soon after opening time, no more than 1/2 hour. The dancing stage, above is seen on the far left here.
I pitied the poor piper, he had to play the same tune over and over and over again so it fair for each set of competitors.
Here's the St Albans Band. They played a whole medley of Scottish tunes that are usually played on the pipes. Different - not better, just different. Note the young critic, lower right.
There was a group of re-enactors (I don't quite know how to describe them) who represented the Black Watch at the time of Waterloo. They are about 75 in number. On Sunday they were double booked, so we go a smaller contingent. They marched from the main road into the park a few times before the start of the day - a kind of mobile advertisement.
The little old Drummer is in fact a little old lady.
More to come - Massed Bands and Opening Ceremony
Linear Mode
