Scottish Highland Games Association

SCHLIERSEE IN BAVARIA - VISIT BY PERTHSHIRE H.G. ASSOCIATION

It should have been a disaster - van driver and van problems resolved just in time. 1st flight late; 2nd flight cancelled; train in its place; someone jumps in front of it; snow on first day of Games; Airport ground staff problems on return journey; luggage arriving after us both ways....you couldn't make it up. But you know what? It was THE BEST trip ever. Fab hosts and a fan-dabby-dozy Scottish team of Heavies, TOW, Dancers, Pipe Band and officials who did Scotland proud. What FUN we had!

In short that sums up Perthshire Highland Games Association’s visit to Schliersee in Bavaria. 45 of us were the guests of Markus Wasmeier, Double Olympic Ski Champion, and his committee to Markus’s old Bavarian Village in Neuhaus, Schliersee, for a fun competition between Perthshire and Bavaria. The Bavarians took part in Putting the Stone, Weight over the Bar, Tossing the Caber and Tug-o-War and the Scots took part in Egg throwing and catching, summer-skiing, barrel rolling and a relay race which involved getting over a stack of bales! The Heavies, Tug-o-War, boys and the girls from the Pipe Band and the dancers all took part in the fun. I won’t go into details, but whenever we think of bales we’ll all smile at the memories! Mount Blair TOW deserve a special mention by pulling the Bavarians who had one man more than them and a HUGE weight advantage. Stuart Anderson was the top athlete and Perthshire (plus a few guests) did us proud by winning over-all!

Away from competition, the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, the Highland Dancers, John Stuart on accordion along with Ceilidh dance caller June Templeman entertained at the Games and at the Ceilidhs/Folk Dances held for us on two nights. Then there was the highland dancing which Dale and Ernie demonstrated – get practising boys!

Many happy memories, but as one of our party said “One of my favourite memories was of the band as they appeared at the top of the hill overlooking the games field playing a medley of Scottish tunes - wonderful!”

We look forward to hosting the Bavarians here in Perthshire next year for round two.ighHighland GasmesHH

Jean

PERTHSHIRE HIGHLAND GAMES ASSOCIATION

Heavyweight League Sponsored by PSPC

Dancing League Sponsored by Piob Mhor of Scotland

Junior Piping League Sponsored by the Highland Bagpipe Co

Secretary: Jean Swanston, Middleton, Logierait, Pitlochry, PH9 0LH

Tel/Fax : 01796 482376 Mobile: 07764 938908

Email: jrlogierait@btinternet.com Website www.phga.co.uk