We're Scottish for the Weekend

Herb, his mom Georgia and I are attending the Kentucky Scottish Weekend at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton. Today it's poured down rain, but yesterday was perfect--sunny and warm with a few puffy white clouds. The pipe bands were outstanding. We heard bagpipes at all hours! It wasn't bad, except when each band was playing something different at the same time. Then it sounds like a banshee convention! The massed bands played a few numbers together.

There was a color guard and three men with long sabers who performed a most impressive ceremony, then Alex Beaton sang the Star Spangled Banner with a Scottish burr that seemed entirely appropriate. The Louisville Pipe Band played Amazing Grace, then the bands played together, led by an amazingly tall and stern drum major. Although the effect was spoiled somewhat by his tartan, which involved a lot of purple and red. And it's not just me, a lot of folks thought he was exceptionally tall, although the Scots appear to be a tall race.

The pipe band competition was a tad disorganized. The bands were excellent, but seemed bent on practicing rather than doing the deed. The sound of practice was akin to a memory from childhood, when my brother and his cousin playing with cats who didn't wish to be played with (please don't call PETA, they've reformed, honest). The sun was hot by now, and I guess I was becoming cranky. Anyway, there was a youth band from Pittsburgh called Steel Thistle that was outstanding.

So after a weekend of Cornish pasties, scones, and the mellow tones of Alex Beaton, we're headed back to Verona.

Later!