Stories from the Front line...
There is a definite air of sporty , fun yet fierce competition in the literally hundreds of games that take place all over Scotland on an annual basis. The jig and the hornpipe are 'big". Scots love these dances ..and the Sean Tribhaus. These pictures are from Markinch. The games took place in the main town "green". There was a carnival and 3 mass pipe bands practicing behind the dancers' stage. In front there were vendor stands , "as far as the eye could see" , loads of towners and out-of-towners attending , and infront of this , a track and field meet with running races , cycling races , heavy shot put , cabor toss , long jump ..(.with a shot gun start and 
announcements to commence each event ). Two ladies ran the entire dance competition ( the same two at Brechin games that we attended the following week )..from a small trailor. They had no loudspeaker..so premier Christina stayed next to the stage so as not to miss being called out for her dances.
Jean was ushered away from me by one of the co-ordinators. All the primaries danced first , one dance after another. When the dancers are called up to collect their winnings...all intermediates and premiers collect money. No medals .
Jean had to go up on stage , show her medal to the crowd and courtsey / bow..then she was held firmly by the arm by one of the co-ordinator ladies , and yanked off the stage. this was the same for every game. I included the last photo of Jean 
running after a soccer
ball with Kirsten Thomas , another little five year old boy. they both shared a love of "football" as is called in Scotland.
By Alison Thomson on their trip to Scotland
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