Iconic Burns - Flaming Torches and Fireworks

The band kept us entertained throughout the procession and there were stalls on either side of the route too with entertainment such as the "Brig Issue" seller, tattooist, singers and more.



It was a really cold evening (cars were covered in frost by the end and the ground was frozen and slippy) but the torchlit procession was warm! It was amazing how much heat came off the torches - and you really noticed the difference when you got to the end of that part of the evening and the torches were extinguished.



Then everyone split into 3 groups to go to the viewing areas. Where you went depended on the colour of the wristband which you were given at registration.

This is roughly the view from one of the viewing areas - on the modern bridge looking straight up the river to the auld brig.


I was in a viewing area in a muddy field - we had a pretty good view still.

The lighting at the end was really clever - it looked like the mare was galloping over the bridge carrying Tam to safety.

It was a really well organised event - everything seemed to run very smoothly and there were plenty of stewards everywhere.

Bonfire Night

I meant to post this last night as it would have been appropriate then, but didn't manage to get it done. For some reason, however, Ayr's fireworks display was actually held on Monday night. It was at the racecourse - I didn't go but could hear the fireworks from the flat so went out to the river and watched from there. It must have been very a very impressive display from close up.

Viking pics

Photos from the re-enactment of the Battle of Largs and the fireworks which followed. The glow to the right of the fireworks at the Pencil in Largs isn't a bonfire - it's the Viking longship burning. It was set alight by flaming arrows shot by the archers.