Thank you, Ben and Emily, for chipping in on the blog! Whew, that is a weight off my shoulders. Nevertheless, I will attempt to continue the description of the trip in my own style and allow the others to add their thoughts, as needed (or as instructed by ME).
So, on to Braemar we go. The hour and a half trip was through beautiful countryside, with blooming heather amongst the silver birch and mixed in with patches of ferns. Really worth seeing at this time of year. Also, some of the hillsides are just fields of heather alone and are a pale purple all over. We followed the Dee River upwards into the Scottish Highlands, past Ballater to Braemar. The games are the last of the Highland competitions for the year, I believe, and are especially famous for their royal visitors (as Emily has demonstrated with her first post!). We witnessed the highland dancing, hammer throw, some races, tug of war and many other events, and we strolled around the grounds of the gathering. We were welcomed warmly by the Rotarians in the International Tent, where we signed in and had a quick liquid pick-me-up, and noticed that we were on display as the GSE team for the district on a posterboard. We're famous! Well, a little anyway.
We also trooped through the quaint little town of Braemar and popped into several of the shops. The Upper Deeside Rotary was running a dice game to win bottles of "Famous Grouse" Whiskey. I think one of our team won a small sample bottle but I can't remember whom.
Perhaps the most exciting moment was when the royal family passed by, literally within 10 feet or so of us, and we were able to snap some memorable shots (see Emily's post of yesterday). We have confirmed that the Queen and her husband Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, were present (and are both in the photo displayed in her post), as were as Prince Charles and Camilla.
On the drive back, we stopped for a quick view of a "landowner's" property (essentially a huge castle-like mansion), a suspension bridge for a hiking trail (because it was scenic), and a quick stop in Ballater (to view the "royal warrants" displayed on someof the shops). Upon our return to Banchory, we adjourned to the Banchory Golf Club for dinner and an evening of socializing with our host families. Really, a perfect day. Exchange to Inverurie on the morrow....