Fri
Dec 5th saw a Viking Invasion on the Bonnie Banks of Loch
Lomond at Ardlui.
The Great
Hall at McGregors Landing was packed with merrymakers, including
King Hamish Clark, better known as Duncan from BBC’s
“Monarch of the Glen”.
On
arrival, guests were greeted in the courtyard by stilt-walkers,
court jesters, and fire-eaters. Inside, a harpist and violinist
serenaded revellers as they sat down to a sumptuous Medieval
Banquet. The lack of any form of cutlery was obvious and added
to the medieval atmosphere of the evening. Ironically, though.
a genuine 8 ft Claymore, however, lay across the King’s
table, guarded at all times by his Clansmen.
Organisers,
Joe McKenzie and his fiancee Maggie had pulled the entire
evening together for KidsCharities. Joe’s band, Clannan
Drumma entertained the gathering with their uniquely stirring
sound of pipes and drums music. Joe has featured in the films
Braveheart and Gladiator and he is responsible for the Sgt
McKenzie ballad in the film “We were Soldiers”
Guests
were tempted to gather outside on the deck as fireworks lit
up the sky and toward the end of this spectacular display,
we caught sight of the Viking ship, built by the GalGael Boys,
on the loch. We were rushed back into the safety of the Hall,
while the Vikings, brandishing their swords and dressed in
chain mail ran up the jetty, into the hall and challenged
the King.
Thankfully
one of our heroic clansmen had been briefed, a sword fight
ensued, and the Vikings were sent packing. It was a close
shave!
Calm
was restored and the entertainment continued with nominees
summoned to the stocks, where cream pies were thrown at £1
a go! Money will go to the new CHAS hospice at Loch Lomond.
Jim
Watt, MBE, ex world champion boxer and a patron of KidsCharities
was part of the festivities.
Caroline
said “ I can’t thank Maggie and Joe enough for
all their efforts in pulling this off! It was an amazing evening
... one guest left telling me it was the best evening she’d
ever had ... and her husband wasn’t even there. Hopefully
he’ll join us next year!
Hamish
Clark has already pledged his support for the next one. Caroline
added “To meet people in your life like Joe, Maggie
and Hamish is wonderful. KidsCharities exists because of people
like them....”
On
arrival, guests were greeted in the courtyard by stilt-walkers,
court jesters, and fire-eaters. Inside, a harpist and violinist
serenaded revellers as they sat down to a sumptuous Medieval
Banquet. The lack of any form of cutlery was obvious and added
to the medieval atmosphere of the evening. Ironically, though.
a genuine 8 ft Claymore, however, lay across the King’s
table, guarded at all times by his Clansmen.
Organisers,
Joe McKenzie and his fiancee Maggie had pulled the entire
evening together for KidsCharities. Joe’s band, Clannan
Drumma entertained the gathering with their uniquely stirring
sound of pipes and drums music. Joe has featured in the films
Braveheart and Gladiator and he is responsible for the Sgt
McKenzie ballad in the film “We were Soldiers”
Guests
were tempted to gather outside on the deck as fireworks lit
up the sky and toward the end of this spectacular display,
we caught sight of the Viking ship, built by the GalGael Boys,
on the loch. We were rushed back into the safety of the Hall,
while the Vikings, brandishing their swords and dressed in
chain mail ran up the jetty, into the hall and challenged
the King. 
Thankfully
one of our heroic clansmen had been briefed, a sword fight
ensued, and the Vikings were sent packing. It was a close
shave!
Jim
Watt, MBE, ex world champion boxer and a patron of KidsCharities
was part of the festivities.
