Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Fiddler, Burns Night, Glasgow

This evening, I attended a Burns Night Supper in Glasgow arranged by the local centre of Scotland’s National Trust.

The programme was as follows:

• There was a lad
• Fiddle selection by Hugh MacGilp
• The Immortal Memory
• Songs by harpist, Pauline Vallance.
• Toast to the Lassies by Iain McGillivray
• Green Grow the Rashes
• Fiddle selection by Hugh MacGilp
• A rendition of Tam o’Shanter by George Robertson
• Songs by harpist, Pauline Vallance
• Vote of Thanks by John Foote
• Auld Lang Syne

Sangs and Clatter, Burns Night, Glasgow

Toast to the Lassies, Burns Night, Scotland

Reply for the Lasses, Burns Night, Glasgow

Harpist with Clasarch Harp, Burns Night, Glasgow

An enjoyable and convivial evening.

Ian Muir Sound, Midwinter Ball, Erskine Bridge Hotel

This afternoon, I am posting information on the Midwinter Ball held by the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Glasgow Branch at Erskine Bridge Hotel near Paisley.

This event was very well attended, perhaps by 150 in total with music provided by the Ian Muir Sound.

At the foot of these images can be found links to video clips of various dances.

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow Branch

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow

Video clips:

• The Happy Meeting  (Jig)
• The Whistling Wind ( Reel)
• The Moray Rant (Strathspey)
• Miss Hadden’s Reel (Jig)
• Salute to Glasgow (Strathspey)
• Polharrow Burn (Reel)
• More Bees A-Dancing (Reel)
• Blooms of Bon Accord (Reel)

Scottish Highland Dancing at Killin Highland Games, Scotland

This evening, I am posting images and video clips of my visit to the Killing Games held on Aug 3rd 2011.

Killin is a nice little town sitting on the southern tip of Loch Tay, in the centre of Scotland. The River Dochart flows through the town and then enters into Loch Tay where it is the principal feed. As will be evident from the images below, Killin is set in some impressive Highland scenery which adds an element of grandeur to the Games. This year there was the added bonus of warm and sunny weather resulting in a good turnout. Killin is also known for the scenic Falls of Dochart and as location of the the burial ground of Clan McNab.

Top image shows the Highland Dancing competition in progress.

Here is the shot putting competition in full swing.

Putting the Shot at Killin Highland Games, Perthshire

Here is the Games setting in context of local scenery.

Highland Setting for Killin Highland Games, Perthshire

Here is the Pipe Band crossing the River Dochart en-route to the Games.

Callendar Pipe Band crossing River Dochart at Killin

Piping Competition in process.

Piping Competitor at Killin Highland Games, Perthshire

Amongst the food stalls was this one selling Arbroath Smokies, a traditional Scottish smoked fish.

Arbroath Smokies on sale at Killin Highland Games

My tour group enjoyed this encounter with a tradition and culture dating back perhaps 1000 years.