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‘We travelled 3,700 miles to be at the Braemar Gathering – it was everything we thought it would be’

The P&J spoke to visitors to the famous Royal Deeside event.

Scott and Pam Ulen from Illinois at the Braemar Gathering. Image: Graham Fleming/DC Thomson
Scott and Pam Ulen from Illinois at the Braemar Gathering. Image: Graham Fleming/DC Thomson

A couple have told how they flew more than 3,700 miles to attend the Braemar Gathering.

With blue skies and 22°C weather, Scott and Pam Ulen could have mistaken Aberdeenshire for their native Illinois in the United States.

But with the sound of bagpipes filling the air and tartan as far as the eye could see, they were most definitely at the famous Royal Deeside show – and told the P&J they had not been left disappointed.

Originally going on a Scotland-wide journey to meet with their relatives “of the Farquharson clan”, the 63-year-olds decided to add a stop at Braemar.

Scott, from McHenry near Chicago, said: “We have Scottish heritage.

Couple from United States tell of ‘love’ for Braemar Gathering

“We were here two years ago for the games, and we just missed it. We’ve been planning for two years to come back.

“We initially came back to visit family, but we just loved Scotland so much.

“We messed up, we only came up to Braemar for one day last time, we got the tour, had dinner and went back home.

“I thought to myself, ‘what idiots’. So now we are back for three days.”

Asked for his views on the games, Scott added: “We love it.

“We didn’t know everything that the games entailed. It really is everything that we thought it would be and more.

“Plus, we wanted to see the King.”

King Charles III was in attendance alongside Queen Camilla. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
There was also film royalty in attendance in the shape of Stephen Fry and Dame Judi Dench. Image: Kath Flannery/ DC Thomson

Pam said: “We first got interested when we saw Scottish games take place in a Chicago suburb.

“There are a few Scottish festivals around there.

“We wanted to make sure that if we ever came back here, we wanted to see the games.

“I didn’t waste any time, as soon as they went on sale – I snapped them up.

“Scotland truly is beautiful, and the people are so nice, the scenery is beyond gorgeous.”

‘The scenery, the people, the whisky – it’s fabulous’

Judith Mosely, from London, was celebrating her 60th birthday with a tour of Scotland with her husband Andrew, 61, and friend Alison, 62.

Covering Perthshire, the Highlands and eventually Aberdeenshire with the gathering as the showpiece of the tour.

Alongside brother and sister-in-law Rosalind and Gary Atkinson – who they met by chance at the event – they said they were delighted by their trip to the Royal Deeside.

Judith said: “All of us love Scotland.

“We have had lots of Scottish holidays as a child.

“It’s just the scenery, the people, the whisky – it’s all fabulous.”

Andrew, Alison, Judith, Rosalind and Gary are all “massive” fans of Scotland. Image: Graham Fleming/DC Thomson

Andrew said: “The Braemar games though is what everything was really building up to.

“We booked the tickets ages ago and we couldn’t wait to come.

“But the weather in Scotland today is truly amazing.”

French duo Pauline Rospars, 32, and Annabelle Broustal, 30, made the journey all the way from Brittany to be at the games.

Braemar Gathering ‘very cool’ for French pair

The insurance workers have visited Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Skye and Beauly while in the country.

Asked for her views about the Braemar Gathering, Pauline said: “It is very cool.

“We very much like this bagpipe music, it’s very different from what is played in France.

“I like the royal family, I’m excited to see them – maybe shake their hand, I’m not sure.”

Annabelle and Pauline were keen to meet the King. Image: Graham Fleming/DC Thomson

Annabelle said “We saw an ad for it online, and we knew that Braemar was the biggest Highland Games in Scotland.

“We are doing a tour of Scotland for 10 days, we are enjoying it very much.”

Jake Campbell, 21, is a regular of the Braemar Gathering.

Growing up in Braemar, he said it’s a good opportunity to visit his grandmother, grandfather and aunt who all live in Deeside.

He came along with his girlfriend Rachel Gray, 21, who was attending her third games.

Jake said: “I’ve been to all of them since I was a baby.

Jake and Rachel said it was a good opportunity to reconnect with family. Image: Graham Fleming/DC Thomson

“It’s a really good opportunity for the family to get together, especially when the weather is like this.

“It’s also a good a time as any to get a wee drink on as well. This is the main event for me.”

Rachel said: “I think it is really cool with the royals being here and all that, they are right up close as well which is amazing.

“I wouldn’t say it is the main reason that we come, but I do like it.”

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