I spent a splendid day at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston yesterday. You probably know that the headquarters of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, Cairnie House, is located within the Ingliston Showground. Traditionally the Club sets up a small marquee next to the office, and this provides an opportunity to promote curling to the many thousands attending the four day event, the largest in Scotland.That's Margaret, Judith and Joan, splendidly attired in the Royal Club tops, on hand to help.
Of course, the Royal Club stand was a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, some sunshine, and catch up on the gossip.Members of the Ladies' Branch had made sure that there was lots to eat too.
Out and about in the huge show, I ran into many friends and acquaintances, not all of them curlers.
Let's have a competition. Who are these two women manning the Scotherbs stand in the Tesco tent? Meg Donaldson on the left is one of the company's 120 staff. But can you guess who the girl on the right is? There is a curling connection! Think Ladies' Branch, and the answer is below.
Brian Binnie is a well-kent curler. Here he is with wife Ali on their show stand, marketing their Denfind Stone and Denfind Outdoor Living interests. Having something of a fondness for dry stane dykes, I just love Brian's Pitairlie sandstone which is regarded as one of the best walling stone in the UK. Check out the website for all the uses to which the stone can be put.
Here's another curling connection. In recent years Jill MacKay of the Scottish Liqueur Centre has been a big supporter of curling, as sponsor of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Championship and Columba Cream Scottish Women's Championship. Here she is working hard on the Bruadar stand at the Show. On the right? Non other than Willie Nicoll, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club Board Chairman.So who was the mystery girl in the pic? She is Newcastle University geography student Ilona McLaren, daughter of Ladies' Branch President Claire McLaren. Check out the genes here.
Photos © Skip Cottage
