Braemar Gathering

No not the Braemar Gathering attended by the Queen. This is a much more parochial event held in front of Braemar Castle. We were all lucky as the weather held up until the time when the event was just finishing. It then started raining, and we have had several heavy showers during the course of the evening.

In addition to the Bucksburn Pipe Band who appear in the photograph, there was sheep shearing and birds of prey, and a charming little Shetland pony. This was brought along by a Horse welfare organisation based near Aberdeen. They told me the pony was eating too much grass, and would be on a diet when she got home.

We also watched a narration of the history of Braemar Castle during the period of the Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1745. It didn't end well as the earl sided with the Jacobites on both occasions. The curtain wall around the castle would have been built by the English when they stationed a garrison there after the rebellion had been crushed.