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We have sent the following report and thanks to the magazine, together with the photos that are immediately above it.
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Three Sites Scottish Tour
Unfortunately, the event that makes this Rally totally memorable was the last evening when we were all outside Moira and Allan’s Motorhome at about 6.30 and the church bell in Ballater started tolling! We had heard all the Royal Family was travelling to Balmoral Castle (about 8 miles from Ballater) so Allan led us in a minute’s silence ending with ’God Save the King’. Moira then gave us her hand crafted poker-work commemorative coasters in their tartan presentation bags, farewells were exchanged and we all started preparing for the morning’s departure.
Thanks to Allan and Moira’s superb organisation, this Rally was both interesting and fun. A Norwegian version of skittles was enjoyed on sunny afternoons, and with their local knowledge, we were able to enjoy things we would probably have otherwise missed. The pride of the people of Falkirk and their delight in showing visitors their massive Kelpies statues, and the unique Falkirk Wheel was refreshing. We were able to experience the amazing technology of the Falkirk Wheel first hand as Moira had arranged a trip on one of the leisure boats for those who wished to participate. She and Allan had also arranged taxis to transport those of us who didn’t feel up to the half mile walk from the camp site.
Moira and Allan had timed their Tour so that we had the opportunity to attend the Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games which were exactly the right size for a first experience. The games are large enough that their piping competition is recognised and supported by The Competing Pipers Association attracting international, national and local participants. Watching Tossing the Caber in the centre of the field, while a pipe band marched around the running track was astounding. But the games were small enough not to be overwhelming, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the caterers and locals was quite amazing.
Our camp site was within easy walking distance of the lovely ancient village of Alyth. There were explanatory plaques telling the history of one of the oldest bridges in Scotland, the reason behind the name of Toutie Street (a herdsman tooting his horn to ask folk to bring out their cattle for him to take up to the grazing on Alyth Hill for the day), and The Arches, ruins of the former parish church. Amongst other interesting shops there was a ’proper’ butcher, and a cafe serving ’Scottish Breakfasts’ at only £6.45. This value was incredible, as eating the meal saved one having another for a full 36 hours afterwards!
By the time we reached our third site at Ballater the weather had decided it was time to fill the reservoirs, but kindly gave us breaks when we could see the glorious countryside of the Cairngorms and enjoy browsing the shops in the town. - fascinating to see so many’By Royal Appointment’ notices around. The old station has been nicely converted into a combined Public Library, Information Centre, Souvenir Shop and Museum with the Royal railway carriage that Queen Victoria used on display beside the platform.
Moira and Allan had spent a lot of time sorting out a set of three quizzes, one for each camp site, the first was Dingbats, the second Spot the Difference, and the final one at Ballater a word search looking for Vintage cars. After the raffle at the final evening meeting, they awarded gold, silver and bronze ’medals’ to those with the best cumulative scores, having given small prizes to the winners at each site
Lastly, we would like to thank Moira and Allan for arranging such a wonderful Tour which we hope everybody else enjoyed as much as we did.
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The following photos are some general pictures taken of some ASOC members at the various meetings and campsite along the Rally route.
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 | At our first stop at
The Wheel Campsite at Falkirk
some members enjoyed a carriage
ride around the owners farm. | 
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A few pictures taken on our second stop at Five Roads Caravan Park by the pretty village of Alyth
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| Skittles | Skittles | Evening meeting
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| Serving coffee | Birthday cake | Getting ready | Cutting the cake | The Birthday girl
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And our third campsite, the Ballater site, owned and run by the townsfolk themselves, for the general benefit of the whole community.
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| Evening meeting | Still smiling
despite the rain | The Raffle
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Please enjoy browsing through any of the other pictures on our website.
If you would like a better quality image, suitable for printing, please contact us and we will email or arrange to send you what you need.
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