To be honest Australianlass, I haven't been to a Highland Games for a LONG time and don't even remember how they start (assuming I was even there at the start!) So I couldn't say if the torch light ceremony takes place anywhere in Scotland. What I believe it signifies tho is the use of the Fiery Cross (or Crann Tàra) to gather the clansmen together in times of trouble. Someone else might be able to tell you what the opening ceremony is of the Highland Games in Scotland!

This may be an example (and there are a number of them) of aspects of Scottish life in the New World that are more Scottish than they are in Scotland.

What you are talking about did raise a faint echo: at the Bathgate Highland Games, held on the last Saturday in May each year, proceedings actually open with a march through the town the previous evening called "Beating Retreat" which reflects the military associations of this (and I suspect other) Highland games.

http://www.westlothianhighlandgames.com/

But as for "torch light ceremonies", bear in mind that there isn't much darkness in summer in Scotland in which to appreciate torchlight: which makes me thing that if they exist at all they are unlikely to be connected with Highland games. One example of the sort of thing you might have in mind is the Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession

http://www.hogmanay.net/events/edinburg ... procession

As the name implies this is definitely a winter event.

I've been to the Borders Gathering in Dumfries and the Braemar Higland games, and neither had any kind of torchlight parade. The only thing of that kind that I personally saw in Scotland was during the Wallace Homecoming in Lanark. And I must say, it made quite an impression on me.

Hi there Everyone, thanks for feed back. I've read about the "fiery cross", to raise the clan when their Chief decided to go to war. The 'Torch light ceremony" held at "The Gathering" was/is a friendly thing. The night before the "Games" start, they have a large bonfire, it's a social thing. One at a time, the head of each Clan holds a torch up high and walks to the bonfire and announces that his Clan is there (ie "The Fraser's are here") to compete and then throws his torch into the fire. It all sounded quite spectacular and as each clan is announced everyone from that particular clan (competitors and spectators) all cheer wildly!!!
I think perhaps your right Ken, it's maybe something they continue to do in America. The next one I know of is on Thursday 8th July 2010 North Carolina!!! Plus I hadn't thought of the light situation, they'd have to hold it at 11pm at night in Scotland!!!!
Maybe someone could suggest it for the 700th anniversary Bannockburn Homecoming 2014

Hi there Everyone, hope you are all well. I've been looking up your weather, seems it's getting better! Our weather forecast here for the next week is max. 14-15 and lows of 3-5 and lots of rain!! Which is a bit unusual seeing I live in the driest state, in the driest country in the world! Thought I'd update our travel plans, I've managed to convince my fellow travelers to take Ken, Liz and Brodie's advice on the Day 4 travel plans and take the Mallaig road and ferry to Skye. Which I'm really excited about, however we have made changes to Day 7. We did a google map from Inverness to Elgin to Dufftown to Huntley to castle Fraser then back to Granton on spey. It was 5 1/2 hours travelling time, let alone time to see all the things at those places! (I see what you mean Liz!). So we've decided on 3 days stay at Inverness and hopefully on one of those days we might get out as far as Elgin. It will be good to get 3 nights stay in one place, but it means I won't get to see Fyvie Castle or Castle Fraser Never mind, perhaps that will just make me more determined to come back one day!! Loved all the photo's for that last 2 months it's a tough comp. there all so good. Talk again soon.
Cheers Australianlass
P.S. Bruce, I've change e-mail address. Where would you like me to send that to?

Just update the email address on your profile and that way you should still get any emails that are sent out!

Australianlass it sounds like you have things well under control . I am glad that you are taking the Road to The Isles to Mallaig and the ferry across to Skye, you will love it, I promise.

Good idea to spend the extra time around Inverness, there is lots to explore in the area. Personally I would not stay directly in Inverness. Outside the town is much prettier. We stayed at a B&B just on the edge of Culloden Moor some years ago, at Westland Hills B&B in the village of Culloden, and I must say I really enjoyed it. The owners were very sweet and breakfast was in a big farm kitchen, not in a formal dining room. Very homey. I don't know what kind of accommodations you prefer, but I enjoy meeting the people who live in an area and get a chance to chat with them. There is so much to learn.

Have a wonderful time on you trip.

Hi There Everyone, Thanks Liz for heads up on B&B in Culloden it sounds good! There are 5 of us so we need to stay places where there is at lest one double room and one triple. Do you know Liz if there was room for 5 at Westland Hills? I agree it's much nicer staying in places where you can meet and talk to local people. All 5 of us are in agreement that we want to stay in either B&B's or small local Hotels the whole trip. I have a friend who recommended the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe to stay. It sounds like a fun place, 3 bars and live traditional music and great food apparently!!!! If anyone has any other recommendations for Dunfries, Portree, Perth, Stirling and Edinburgh it would be most appreciated

Cheers Australianlass

Hi There Everyone, It's been a while since I posted anything. Been very busy with work and I also have show dogs (Dobermanns), we've had lots of shows lately and I also have a litter on the ground. However the travel plans are coming along, the flights are booked and paid for now!!!
We fly out on the 20th Aug, stop over in Singapore and arrive in London at 7pm 21st Aug. Only 300 more sleeps!!!!! (Just a tad excited!) We've booked into the Clachaig Inn, Glencoe for 1 night, 3 nights in Inverness in a B&B just out of the town (can't remember name), 1 night in Stirling at the Portcullis and 3 nights in the Cranston Street apartment Edinburgh (so excited about this, right in the middle of the Royal Mile!!). Still looking for somewhere to stay for 1 night in Dumfries, 1 night in Glasgow,1 night in Portree and 1 night in Perth. Have seen a few places on the net that look good and worth checking out but does anyone have any suggestion for Perth???
As for the rest of trip, we've paid for our insight tour of France and have booked 5 nights in apartment in Trafalgar Square London and paid for our Eurostar train trip to Paris. Still need to book ferry to Skye. I was wanting to know about the money situation, the exchange rate is pretty good at the moment; nearly 62p to the Aussie dollar. Do we just get English pounds or do we get Scottish money as well? Don't want to offend anyone!!!

Hi Australian Lass. Just get pounds. The Scottish variety I think you can only get in Scotland, and they are not readily accepted in England. So make sure you spend or exchange them there.

BTW I too show dogs. A lot smaller than your Dobies, thought... Papillons. The picture I use for an avitar is one of my champions when he took his first major win from the puppy class.

Hi There Everyone, It's been awhile since I've posted anything apart from a bizarre weather report, life has been so chaotic. November/December is insanely busy with my business and the kids have only just gone back to school last week from an 8 week break. Well, it's now only 184 sleeps till our holiday All accommodation is booked and paid for now, just have to book the ferry to Skye. I did have a question for you, my fellow travelling companions aren't quite as Jacobite obsessed as myself. In saying that, I know I am going to want to spend way more time at Culloden battle field than they do. I've discovered it is only 4 miles from where we are staying in Inverness, I was thinking maybe I could walk there early in the morning and spend some time there before they catch me up later. (We have but one car!) I walk 10km 4 times a week here, so 4 miles is no biggy and I do realise it's country (no footpaths). Is this an insane plan?!!!! Or is it do able. Everyone I'm going with seems to think I'm nuts!
Cheers Australianlass

BTW Liz, I thought your avatar looked like a dog show shot. A friend sent me a list of shows for the UK, I would love to go to one but no one else I'm travelling with is interested in dogshows. Besides you've seen my itinerary , I don't think I'd have time!!! Are there very many Dobes in Scotland?

The road out (the B9006) is a mix of suburban and (I think, from memory) largely pavement-less rural. To be honest, I'd not suggest walking as much of it is going to be along the verge of a reasonably busy commuter road into and out of Inverness. But how about getting a taxi to the battlefield, to be met by your friends later? At a guess, and it is only a guess, the fare should not be huge, but the hotel you are staying at might be able to advise on this.

Australianlass wrote: "BTW Liz, I thought your avatar looked like a dog show shot. A friend sent me a list of shows for the UK, I would love to go to one but no one else I'm travelling with is interested in dogshows. Besides you've seen my itinerary , I don't think I'd have time!!! Are there very many Dobes in Scotland?"

Some years ago I went to the Scottish Kennel Club show in Edinburgh. There was a large entry of Dobes, but they looked a bit different from what I am used to looking at, since in the UK ears are not cropped nor tails docked. Yet I can't recall seeing very many Dobermans while out exploring the country.

I was quite impressed with the Papillons entered there. Would gladly have taken home a few. But less so with the Shelties (my other breed).

Hi All, thanks Ken, you confirmed my Mother's worry that I'd be run down on the side of the road!!! Cab it is.
To Liz, I know all about strange looking Dobes, as tail docking is now banned in all of Australia!!! Our last littler we were unable to dock, we had a beautiful boy that I just had to keep from that litter. But as he is a red Dobe and our other three Dobes are docked black and tan, I just look at him like he's a different breed
I don't know much about Papillons but I have alot of friends here who breed Shelties.