It was a wonderful weekend. I live in the smallest city in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Several miles to our west is the town of Athol. That is Athol with one L. We are having a spate of celebrations of anniversaries. Athol has a connection with Atholl and they have been having a series of events to commemorate their 250th this year. One of the ideas they had was to re-invite the Atholl Highlanders. They were here 25 years ago but I was not in the area to see them. I found out about this some months ago and watched for it and attended it.
Some of the fellows are in the pipe band and some are just soldiers. Regulations being what they are they had to scare up rifles this side of the Atlantic for these men to drill with. They were able to find the appropriate weapons and fit them all out with loaners.
John Murray, the 11th Duke, was not scheduled to come but his son instead. As it happens the Duke died in May so his son Bruce Murray is the 12th Duke and was elegant in his presentation.
The rifles were all in good condition and those in charge of obtaining them had slings made for the occasion - white nylon with the event information woven in. It was a nice touch and it got a lot of guys in camo hunting outfits out who wouldn't ordinarily be interested.
When the time arrived for their presentation - a mini-tattoo - they formed up and marched around the tiny common. A note about the weather: the weather has been cool and rainy lately - not unlike Scotland. In the hour before it began we saw mist, drizzle, cool breezes. When it started so did the rain. It rained gently at first:
The colors were beautiful.
Their discipline was impeccable.
They performed and the heavens opened up.
We followed them the whole parade route to the town hall where they formed up in the street before marching in.
It is a nice old town hall with an auditorium that has a balcony. The audience was small but appreciative. The Highlanders lined up on each side of the hall and speeches were made and all the Highlanders were given a medal struck for the occasion. Our Usonian, as noted elsewhere on the forum, presented a gift the the Duke on behalf of the Masons.
It was a great day. I was deeply impressed and my wife and I really enjoyed it from start to finish. Rain? No worries.
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