Friday, July 25, 2008

Highland Games

The Gnu Herd traveled to the mountains for a quick vacation. It was good to take time off from work. I still had class assignments to do, so it was a working vacation, sort of. Still, The Skating Gnu and I managed to find some free time to go take in the sights at the annual Highland Games taking place down the road.

A good time was had by all, and The Skating Gnu even got a quick lesson in playing the bagpipes from a pipes master visiting from Aberdeen, Scotland. Might just have to invest in a pair of those myself, one day. Can you imagine yours truly, kilt-clad piping away in the backyard? According to Scottish Tradition, the bagpipes are supposed to only be played outdoors - the more likely reality is that the poor piper's wife threw him out of the house to go play somewhere else! Still, in the hands of an expert, there is a haunting beauty to the sounds echoing across the Glen...

Some pictures below for you. Click on the thumbnails to see them full-size:

Grandfather Mountain


Musical Guest Performer Colin Grant-Adams


Piping Competition


Wee Lassies in Scottish Dancing Competition


Tossing the Caber (click on the picture for a larger view!)


All pictures (c) 2008 The Smoking Gnu
All rights reserved

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Did anyone in the piping competition play AC/DC? That would rule.

Larriken said...

Dammit, Coyote, now I am gonna HAVE to get me a set of bagpipes and learn how to play "Thunderstruck" on them!!

suyapi said...

"If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy, come on baby let me know!"

We have a piper down. I repeat, the piper is down.

Larriken said...

I wanna be... your SLEDGEHAMMER,
Why don't you call my name.... YEAH!

Tim said...

Piper dun..repeat, we have a piper dun...

Larriken said...

Piper at the Gates of Dawn?? :-P