I joined a van full of co-workers for the 90 minute drive up the Deeside Valley to the hamlet of Braemar, famous for the Queen's summer residence and the annual Braemar Gathering and Highland Games.
The Braemar is a gathering of the Scottish Clans, (bag)pipe bands, and competitors in a variety of traditional Highland Games.
Pipe and drum bands from all over Scotland attended.
The sound of the bands marching in one-by-one into the games arena was fantastically moving.
It doesn't get more Scottish than this!
Each band reflected their clan affiliation through the wearing of the clan tartan. Historians note a total of 89 main clans which have innumerous sub-clans or septs.
Pipe band members are not confined to men only. There are many women and young people involved in pipe bands.
Pipe bands are a family affair.
All ages participate.
Loitering drummers waiting to enter the arena.
Not all of the marching Highlanders were musicians.
There were also units of historic Highlander troops present as well.
The Scottish people have a strong sense of national identity . . . and pride in their heritage.
All the parts of a kilt have symbolic meaning.
I like that the piper bands are open to women members. Good on you Scots!
Lovely feathered head gear buffeted by the wind. The bands had arrive . . . now for a walk around the old mountain village of Braemar.
Braemar is the nearest town to the Queen of Englands summer home, Balmoral Castle.
Most of the houses here are of the traditional Scottish construction: Aberdeen grey granite and slate roofs.
Iver Cottage in Braemar. Sweet.
These wooden blocks spun in the wind . . . to scare birds from the garden.
I love how people here name their houses. The name of the house is also it's address. If you wanted to send a letter here you would only have to address it "Downfield, Braemar, UK."
I love exploring these small Scottish villages. Here, a garden shed.
This garden gate tells the story of a very wet climate.
There is a small commercial district in Braemar where I encountered this old busker.
I dropped a pound coin in his cup and asked him if I could take some photographs . . . he nodded yes.
There were two churches in Braemar.
A wonderful old church door.
The back door of the church stood wide open . . . so I went right in.
Wonderful light spilled into this quiet space . . . far from the crowds at the Highland Games.
Quiet and serene.
The church interior was simple and beautiful.
After a so-so hot dog and crisps, I made my way back to my assigned seat in the grandstands.
Pipe bands took turns supplying the music in the main competition arena.
Each pipe band was led by a flamboyant drum major.
The games' security was provided by these kilted stewards.
Several Highlands games, and traditional dancing, went on at the same time in the arena.
The start of the 6 mile 'Hill Run' - a grueling race up the steep 'hill' that served as a backdrop to the games.
The hill runners had to run up a set path, but they could come down any way and on any route they chose.
The cut, scratched, and bruised returning hill runners returned to large applause in the arena.
The Tug-O-War event took place directly in front of or stands.
Tug-O-War is a very dramatic sport.
The crowd cheered loudly at each pull.
Great human struggle.
A Tug-O-War is a very photogenic thing.
Several of the Tug-O-War teams represented military units.
The Caber Toss involves tossing a caber,made from a "Larch tree and is typically 19 feet 6 inches (5.94 m) tall and weighs 175 pounds (79 kg)."
The Queen and Prince Charles arrived from their nearby castle at mid afternoon.
The Royals took their place in the Royal Shed. The crowd around me was abuzz because The Queen was not in her traditional pastel colors, but a bold, primary red! OMG!
The Royals stood to review the entering massed pipe band and Highland military units.
. . . and in marched the massed pipe band . . . amazing!
Hundreds of bag pipes playing together is a sound that cannot be described.
In addition to the fantastic sound of it, the visual spectacle is impressive.
Impressive indeed!
Many Highland military units marched in as well.
The Queen seemed to enjoy the day.
Beautiful regimental flag.
The last event was a sack race for the children, of course.
You've got to admire the Scot's respect and reverence for tradition.