Well it went by in a flash......nice to meet up with so many old faces and long time supporters and equally nice to meet a lot of new people who had come for the very first time.

Liz Clarke and I (both knackered but very happy after a mega competiton run in the No 8 club...11 am to 6pm...its meant to finish about 4pm) had our tea on Saturday night with a couple of ladies who had come on a reccomendation from a friend who had told them to go because "its the best Scottish festival" They were still there on Monday morning.

Numbers were up in the competitions and some smashing talented youngsters coming through which is always heartening.

Our very special guest at the Willie Scott concert was Willie himself....Jan Miller's wonderful papier mache figure..all 6ft 4in of him

It was a bit bizzare helping Janet Weatherstone carry him into the church and singing as we carried him down the aisle...Alison and Geordie were great as were the assembled musicians and singers who took part. The Hermitage WRI teas at half time were great. I still haven't seen it....

On Saturday night the Winners Concert was packed and overran....well thats traditional too. Our life membership this year was given to Alan Atkinson who has been involved from the very first one in July 1970.

Both dances were packed and lots of happy punters with both the Scottish Country Dance crowd and the ceildh dance crowd delighted in our choices.

The singarounds were busy and lots of fun with a mix of the young and old.

As for the "riotous subversive conclusion" of Susie Kelly's singaround. Well, she was serending our vice chair..Rodney Groom,who is no mean singer himself. Who knew Pair Rovin Lassie was such a filthy song? I laughed myself hoarse. He is a wonderful sport and we got him again on Sunday night with "Nine inch will pease a lady" in the Surviors session which went on til 6am......We await his revenge.   

Over the Top Puppets made a welcome return on Sunday and were throughly enjoyed by all. The Holmcoming Concert on Sunday was packed.

Our piping judge John Connor, was a first timer and has asked to come back. I was thrilled when someone in the crowd asked me if I knew I had a world class pipiing judge