Wednesday, 27 July 2016

Dufftown Highland Games 30 July 2016

 Getting her steps photographed
Tossing the Caber
Massed Pipe Bands
Tug of War
Young People Dancing
Opening Ceremony
Highland games are a great chance to share and learn about Highland culture. We are lucky to have Highland Games throughout the summer starting with the Highland Games and Country Fair at Gordon Castle in the middle of May. We have just had the Tomintoul Highland Games held on the 3rd Saturday in July and this weekend we can enjoy the Dufftown Highland Games which is on the last Saturday in July and the Aberlour Highland Games follow on the first Saturday in August. This is a great day out for the family. I try to attend every year and am sad if I miss a year! Dufftown usually has 9 Pipe Bands from the local area which makes a very impressive sound in the arena. The Games start at 1030 with dancing and the young heavies taking part in the morning along with the start of the hill race up Ben Rinnes. At 1 p.m. the Massed Pipe Bands march from the Dufftown Tower to the field and perform several times during the afternoon with a final performance marching t from the Dufftown Tower between 6 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. The Opening ceremony is at 1.30 p.m. followed by the Heavy and Light events including the amazing Tossing the Caber and a firm favourite - Tug of War. There are children's races and Overseas races as well.

Friday, 1 July 2016

What a recent Guest thinks about Dronach cottage

This is one of many reviews for the cottage on Airbnb.
Dronach cottage is one of four cottages at the Bluefolds Cottages complex: They are picturesque stone cottages in a remote spot near the Glenlivet distillery. Our communication with Elizabeth was perfect and our interaction with her husband Steve at the cottage was wonderful. Detailed instructions are provided to find the place (although not complicated). We arrived in the rain on our bicycles and Steve was there to greet us with a roaring fire. Too wet and tired to travel the 10 miles to the nearest grocery store, Steve did a small shop for us to get us through until the next day. Our cottage was spacious, clean, warm, and everything worked. The coal driven stove is brilliant and easy to keep going. The views of the hills towards the Cairngorms is spectacular. We would highly recommend this spot for a secluded, quiet, and unique stay in the area. There is a grocery store in Dufftown 10 miles away as well as a quaint pub a few miles down the road, providing good meals (and drink). Steve checked in on us daily and provided a private whisky tasting. He is extremely knowledgeable and the experience was a real highlight of our stay. We loved our stay! Elizabeth Response from Elizabeth: Thank you for your lovely review. Enjoy the rest of your cycling round Scotland. June 2016