Ha. Looks like this year's Hogmanay Celebrations is the beginning of the many Pagan festivals that am gonna be involved in Scotland this year. Did the right thing by joining a gang to go to the Stonehaven Fireball Hogmanay.
Evening started a bit late with my friend picking me up at 9 and off we went, bundled in a car, mulled wine, snacks, camera and all. It's the 31st of December. First stop was at a quaint stone cottage, with smoking chimneys to pick up more of N's friends. After some lessons on how old the house was, off we went to the Stonehaven festival. Bagpipes could be heard miles away as Redhot Chilli Pipers showed off their ware.
Bit disappointing though. Only a certain number of people were allowed to be on the street where Kilt-wearing, burly men (my assumption) were going to swing huge flaming balls of fire as they paraded down to the harbour accompanied by bagpipers and musicians. And since it was nearly midnight before we got to the Street, we had to contend watching it from a distance at a cordoned off street. With other latecomers. But not to be dissuaded, Me climbs on top of a 'mock-fence' gate to watch. Not much of a photo-op. But saw some action.
For the uninitiated, Stonehaven Hogmanay has Pagan origins, with the swinging balls of fire, representing a means to ward off evil spirits and to bless the fishing fleet with good luck in the new year.
At my vantage point I could only see the swinging balls of fire and totally missed following them to the sea where they were supposed to throw the flaming balls. Meh... next time.
But the evening ended well though. With us returning to the cottage to the smell of freshly baked bread and jamming away the night. Gotta point out here that the lady of the house entered the house first rather than the recommended dark male :P
**By the way, the title is doric for 'Wishing a good new year to one and all: may you see many more'
Evening started a bit late with my friend picking me up at 9 and off we went, bundled in a car, mulled wine, snacks, camera and all. It's the 31st of December. First stop was at a quaint stone cottage, with smoking chimneys to pick up more of N's friends. After some lessons on how old the house was, off we went to the Stonehaven festival. Bagpipes could be heard miles away as Redhot Chilli Pipers showed off their ware.
Bit disappointing though. Only a certain number of people were allowed to be on the street where Kilt-wearing, burly men (my assumption) were going to swing huge flaming balls of fire as they paraded down to the harbour accompanied by bagpipers and musicians. And since it was nearly midnight before we got to the Street, we had to contend watching it from a distance at a cordoned off street. With other latecomers. But not to be dissuaded, Me climbs on top of a 'mock-fence' gate to watch. Not much of a photo-op. But saw some action.
For the uninitiated, Stonehaven Hogmanay has Pagan origins, with the swinging balls of fire, representing a means to ward off evil spirits and to bless the fishing fleet with good luck in the new year.
At my vantage point I could only see the swinging balls of fire and totally missed following them to the sea where they were supposed to throw the flaming balls. Meh... next time.
But the evening ended well though. With us returning to the cottage to the smell of freshly baked bread and jamming away the night. Gotta point out here that the lady of the house entered the house first rather than the recommended dark male :P
**By the way, the title is doric for 'Wishing a good new year to one and all: may you see many more'
No comments:
Post a Comment