Rachel's Ramblings: Celebration of the Centuries 2013 at Fort George

So, I promised photos of our day at Fort George a few weeks ago, for Historic Scotland's annual event "Celebration of the Centuries". At last I've gone through the 110 photos I took [eek] and narrowed it down to just under 40 photos for this blog post. Yes, I know, a lot of photos! :-P But it was a fantastic day - one the children won't be forgetting anytime soon. They're already planning their visit to it next year! ;-) And I'm already thinking ... can I mark that week next year as "unavailable" for our holiday house, so we don't have to miss it because I'm getting the house ready for guests. [Naughty, I know!] :-) So yes, that gives some idea of what a great day it was - so here are photos to prove it!

"Road to Bannockburn 1314"

Very thankful for ear defenders! :-) It made it possible for my biggest boys to enjoy the day, whilst lowering the volume of the noise (esp the sound of the speaker nearby while the reenactments were going on). Deborah had an old pair to wear too - when the muskets and canon were being fired. She *didn't* like that noise!

"The Return of the King 1650" (Covenanters)

"The Return of the King 1650" (Covenanters) - firing the muskets

"Golden Age of Piracy 1675"

"Golden Age of Piracy 1675" - getting ready to fire the canon.

After watching three of the reenactments, we went round the camps - the Romans were what Benjamin wanted to come to Fort George to see. He was rather sad that we'd missed a Roman Drill reenactment in the main arena (which was the first event of the day), but at least they got to see & try on Roman stuff.

What he'd been waiting for all day - getting to try on a Roman Commander helmet!! I might add, probably the greatest attraction was that he has a Lego minfigure one, and the idea of wearing one himself was very exciting! :-p

Lovely smile from Clement when he gets to try it on!

Deborah feeling bashful while everyone is looking at her ...

... but then she sees her mummy with the camera, and of course, a lovely smile! :-)

Abigail as a medieval princess!

No idea what this hat is, but Deborah found it!

Rather matches Benjamin's jacket! ;-)

The ever smiling Clement! :-)

Despite the rather nervous/unsure faces, Benjamin was *really* enjoying himself. He *had* to go up to every tent/table and try on ALL that was on offer, even begging (ie grabbing) things that he wasn't meant to (like some extremely heavy armour that the lady had to tell him was just toooo heavy for him to try!). lol

Getting fitted as a knight

Benjamin the knight - who nearly hit someone in the head with this *very* heavy sword! [oops]

Trying on more stuff

Deborah & her daddy - having a quiet sit down ...

and watching these ladies

Benjamin patiently (or perhaps impatiently) waiting for the Vikings to stop talking to other people and notice that he wants to try on some helmets of theirs! ;-)

Vikings

And when it finally happens and he has a helmet and axe, just look at the face! ;-) BUT that's because the guy thought surely he'd want to pose with it, like he's about to attack someone. Never .... he *just* wanted to try them on, of course! He wasn't wanting to pretend anything!

OK, not a scary Viking here either - but happy at least!

Looking fairly pleased here, I think - one of the pirates walking around noticed him and asked if he wanted to hold his sword! Yes, he did! :-)

Clement gets a go of the pirate sword - while the "Daddy pirate" is looking for his runaway "baby pirate"! ;-)

What could be cuter than a baby pirate?! :-) And yes, that IS my daughter there, with a face that looks bad enough to scare a pirate! ;-) No idea what she's thinking, but sometimes she prefers to be on her own, with no humans speaking or looking at her! :-P Or maybe she's wondering if this pirate is a bad guy or not? lol

Elijah got a turn too - even if it was too heavy for him to hold. And my oldest daughter was offered a go, as the pirate was sure she'd like to be included. But no way - Abigail wanted NOTHING to do with "boy stuff", no weapons, no fighting stuff - only interested in pretty dresses and princesses! ;-)

"Gordon Highlanders - Guns and Gas 1914-18"

And at nearly the end of the event - the Spitfire display! Elijah was delighted - he loves anything that flies - and a lovely plane like this was the highlight of his day!