Ballater Floods wreak havoc on 30th December 2015.

Unprecedented  Ballater floods caused householders to be evacuated.
Many residents lost everything they had, and were forced into temporary accommodation.

Caravans were tossed around by the floods and washed downstream, smashing into houses, and the Ballater Bridge.

Roads were badly damaged, and  emergency services called in.

Cambus O May suspension bridge was submerged and badly damaged by flood debris, leaving a large bend at mid span with many planks missing.

Remains of the green caravan that hit Ballater bridge

The Caravan site sustained massive damage.

Reflection on a dark day

Heavy Events

Heavy Events are spectacles of amazing feats of strength.      The competitors are known as Heavies.          Heavies are the superstars of  Scottish Highland Games.

Scottish Highland Games differ from Highland Games abroad where Heavy Events are more prominently featured.
Scottish Highland Games are also a festival of piping, Highland dress, races, pipe bands, tug o war, culture and highland dancing.

  Click here for heavies slideshow

Braemar Gathering 2014

Braemar Gathering 2014 got off to a great start with a pleasant morning.  In the afternoon The Gathering was hit by heavy rain, causing difficulties for the hill racers.

Fortunately the sun broke through before Her Majesty The Queen arrived, accompanied by Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen accepts flowers watched by Prince Charles
  Copyright Bill Bagshaw

The Royal Salute                                                           #BraemarGathering

A drummer enjoys the party atmosphere

Even The Heavies were forced to take cover from the rain                                                                               Braemar Versammlung Schottland

Shot !   Putting The Stone                                                                           推铅球                                            苏格兰链球

Tug O War

Pipers                                             苏格兰风笛

Braemar Royal Highland Society                                                          风笛

The Hill Race Sets Off

Police Pipe Band Drum Major                                                                      Schottischer Tambourmajor Braemar Schottland

Raising The Caber

Drum Majoress

Tossing The Caber                                                                                                                                                  Baumstammwerfen

Tug o War overhead view

Haste Ye Back to Braemar Gathering

The stands await you for the next Braemar Gathering

Click here for Braemar Gathering Slideshow

dsider.co.uk events  guide to Royal Deeside & Strathdon

Deeside Steam Vintage Rally

Deeside Steam Vintage Rally August  16-17th.         Banchory and Crathes go back in time, as vintage steam powered vehicles take over.

Little and Large          #DeesideVintageRally     #DeesideSteamRally   #DeesideSteamVintageRally

Steam Powered Vehicles Invade Banchory   photos by Bill Bagshaw

Steam Engine close up                            #dsider

dsider.co.uk events guide to Royal Deeside & Strathdon

150th Ballater Highland Games massed Pipe Bands parade

150th Ballater Highland Games 14th August 2014.  Massed Pipe Bands parade down Ballater High Street.

Ballaters Pipe Bands Drum Major signals a turn as massed pipe bands march into Monaltrie Park.                                                                                                                     #BallaterGames2014

Drum Major passes Ballater Church as massed pipe bands parade down Ballater High Street on the occasion of the 150th Ballater Games in 2014

Massed pipe band passes Ballater Station                       #Ballater   #BallaterStation  #BallaterHighlandGames

#dsider

dsider.co.uk events guide to Royal Deeside & Strathdon