Another kilted opportunity

[Jimmy]

The Cowal Games is on tomorrow at Dunoon and one of the largest games on the calendar. It is also one of the five major piping competitions, the others, Worlds, British, European, Scottish.
The weather is not too promising so far but that never dulls the buzz that you get in Dunoon on games day.
Next to a major international football match, Cowal has a great number of guys wearing the kilt for the occassion, it seems to be '' costume de rigueur''.
After the games, the parade of pipe bands is a spectacular sight, the parade seems to go on and on through the narrow streets of Dunoon.

The Waverley paddle steamer has its busiest day of the season making frequent trips from Glasgow, Helensburgh and Greenock delivering thousands of spectators.

One problem may be that CalMac now do not operate a vehicle ferry from Gourock to Dunoon and it will be left to Western Ferries to take vehicles across, unless extra ferries are put on, the long road to Dunoon via the Rest and Be Thankful will be very busy.

I will be leaving the games for a time in the afternoon to join the Waverley round the Kyles of Bute and back to Dunoon in time for the parade, then its on to Cairndow Stagecoach Inn for dinner, bed and breakfast.

[Laird_M]

Damn am I jealous!

We missed out on making it up to Scotland this month due to a massive great mix up. I missed the Harpenden Games due to one of my kids being ill.

And now I'm missing the Cowal Games.

I don't care what happens next year, I'm definitely going to Harpenden and definitely coming back up home in August.

[Chas]

Good to hear that there are many wearing the kilt. At Ashbourne this year, there were lots of kilts - lots and lots and lots. But they were all bandsmen. Apart from half a dozen XMarkers and some men from the clan tents, everyone was in trousers.

Regards

Chas

[creagdhubh]

Sounds like a lot of fun - especially around the Kyles of Bute - beautiful area indeed! Please post some photos of your travels!

Slainte,

[cessna152towser]

Have fun Jimmy. I am busy with my local model rail show this weekend, will be kilted both days. I once took my car on Western Ferries from McInroy's Point to Hunter's Quay. Never again. In my personal opinion these little landing craft type ferries are a death trap, an accident waiting to happen. They packed the cars on so tight that it was impossible to open your car doors on either side to get out of your car in an emergency - and my car didn't have a sun roof or a hatch back, so if the boat sunk there would have been no means of escape. Now that MacBraynes have abandoned the car ferry, when I go to Dunoon I will drive the long way round or will travel without my car on the pedestrian ferry from Gourock or on an excursion ship such as the Waverley.