On Saturday the 29th we took a trip to Blair Castle in Blair Atholl to see the Glenfiddich Piping Championship.
We started out a little late. We were supposed to get up at 5:15 to catch the first train out of Waverly station at 6:30. Unfortunately, we woke up at 7:20. Not quite sure if the alarm did go off or not, but neither of us remembers waking up to turn it off. Either way, we caught the next train out at 9:30, changed at the Perth station, and made it to Blair Atholl by about 12:30. The walk out to the castle was great once we figured out which way to go. Signs here are less than helpful sometimes! But we found ourselves on a small gravel road which took us beside sheep pasture to deposit us onto the paved, tree lined lane that lead to the castle. It was gorgeous. It was a very overcast day so the colours in the leaves and the greens in the grass were vibrant. And the sheep were begging me to come in and hug them!
When we found our way into the castle we found that we’d missed all but three of the piobaireachd (traditional pipe music) plays. We listened to two and then they took a break for lunch. By that point it was raining but Brandon lead the way up a little hill and found us a great spot to eat our picnic. Then before we went back in to hear the rest of the competition, we explored a little.
What a beautiful estate. There seems to be a series of pathways that wander through the trees and along the stream. And again I was struck by how green everything still is here. The pasture land is lush and there are still green leaves hanging onto the trees. Between all the shades of green there were oranges and reds and browns – all working together to create a dream of what autumn should look like. I was actually kind of sad that we had something else to do that afternoon; I’d have been just as happy to go wandering around a bit!
Back inside we listened to ten of the best pipers in the world. Brandon would be a much better at describing what we heard and saw that day, but even I can say that the music we heard was flawless. How the judges can make a decision is absolutely beyond me. It took a long time to get through all of the plays and then a little longer to wait for the results. The lady who was MC-ing kept everyone happy by telling a few stories and even singing a little bit of a piobaireachd in Gaelic. But finally the results were given and everyone was happy. And as we left the hall everyone was presented with their very own tiny bottle of 12 year old Glenfiddich single malt.
I should mention that the room where the competition took place was rather interesting. I looked up what the room is online and it says this on the castle’s website: “Commissioned by the 7th Duke for the annual gathering of the Atholl Highlanders, this grand ballroom remains unchanged today. It is still used for its original purpose and for many Highland balls, wedding receptions, corporate hospitality and private dinners. Designed by David Bryce and completed in 1876, just before his death, the ballroom is essentially Scottish in style and setting."
The ceiling is all open beamed, dark wood and there are massive paintings of kilted Highland men looking rather serious and formidable. On the walls above the doors and windows are deer skulls, complete with their antlers, expertly hung in perfect symmetry. As far as I could tell there are approximately 180 of them. And then below all of that are spears and hunting garments that I assume are very old and they had a very foreign, almost African look to them. It was a beautiful setting for the competition.
We made our way back into town down the lane, in the pitch dark, rain coming down, and cars streaming along behind us. And then into restaurant at the hotel for dinner graciously paid for by Brandon’s mom and dad as an engagement treat. We caught the train back to Edinburgh and were home by about 11. It was a long and slightly soggy day, but a really good one too.
Yesterday we had very little planned. We slept in, made a great breakfast, and then set out for Calton Hill. It’s a hill park in the centre of the city and there are loads of monuments up on top of it. We spent a good bit of time up there just taking in the view and enjoying the weather. The nights cool off pretty quickly, but during the day the temperature is still warm enough to get by with just light coats.
On our way back down we stopped in at the pet store to buy a fish. We bought an interestingly shaped vase at a thrift store last week and got all the gravel and water treatment supplies too. We chose a low maintenance fish that though technically a goldfish, is black with rather googly eyes and big flowing fins and tail. Brandon named him Simon Fish and he seems to be settling in very well. Not as cuddly as Charlie, but a pet to love none-the-less!
As tonight is Halloween, we’re going out to experience the festivities (and the crazies!) on the Royal Mile tonight. We’re not dressing up, but we’re going to go down there when Brandon gets home from his lesson in Glasgow and spend some time people watching before our ghost tour at 11. We’re going down below the South Bridge again but this time for a more ghost story specific tour. I agreed to it only if Brandon promised not to laugh at me when I get so scared that I scream and cry. Happy Halloween!
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