Sitting in the airport in Edinburgh waiting to board the plane. I am actually to be honest, really sad to be going home. I love it here and I could probably never leave if it were possible. I am so blessed to be able to have experienced all this.
Yesterday was our last full day in Scotland. We ate breakfast at around 8:45ish and then hit the city! First we went and visited Edinburgh Castle which was absolutely beautiful--you could see the whole city from there! Then, we saw St. Giles Cathedral and walked the Royal Mile.
The Fringe festival has been going on this month and so we walked through that. It was quite interesting though, because there were people advertising for shows and stuff and there was a girl who was lying on the pavement like she was dead...the creepy part is, she looked dead. *shudders*
The Tattoo was last night and all I have to say about that is...WOW! That was the most amazing experience of my life! It was awesome and our seats were right in the middle so we could see really well! The only drawback was that the lady in front of me moved her head every time I movied mine and then at the end when we were leaving, the old couple beside me sat and didnt move for 10 minutes while everyome else above us was getting out...we finally moved but it was pretty annoying. Ok, so they just called for boarding for our flight so I have to go!

At the moment, I am waiting for the rest of my family to get ready so we can eat dinner. Today has been a very nice day filled with lots of learning.
James, our driver, picked us up at about 10 at The Torridon (of course wearing his kilt for the 3rd day in a row...I swear that's all he brought to wear). It was honestly, my favorite place we have stayed so far and it had the best food but the gorge scrambling and the biking 2 miles into Torridon made the stay wonderful. It was really sad to leave but we had more to explore.
We headed to Inverness first but on our way we stopped at a little pub, which was absolutely adorable, for lunch. The food was ok--not the best I've ever had. After lunch we stopped in a little shop that sold a lot of 'Nessie' things. Trey got a 'Nessie' hat and wore it out of the store and across the street, then proceeded to fall asleep in the hat, but that was not unusual because he has seemed to sleep thruogh almost every car ride we have taken.
We then continued our trek north eastward. Around 2:30-3ish we arrived at Urqhart Castle and watched a short film about the history of the castle and then walked over the see the ruins, or as dad likes to say "rueens" (emphasis on the ee). It was another castle but it was pretty cool. We got tons of pictures taken of us kids sticking our heads out the window and over the top. The castle is right on Loch Ness which Chuck absolutely LOVED! He has been talking about seeing 'Nessie' since he knew we were coming to Scotland. He had fallen asleep earlier in the trip, woke up and said "I didn't miss seeing Loch Ness did I?! Y'all didn't not wake me up?!" Oh Chuck.
It was about a 30 minute drive over the the Battlefield of Colludon. It was where the Jacabites and the British fought for Scotland. The British of course won. My dad was comparing it to the civil war in the US so it was a bit easier to understand the whole picture.
We are now at the Colludon house, where we are staying for tonight. Tomorrow we head to Edinburgh with little stops along the way. I am sad that this trip is coming to an end soon but I am so thankful that I have beeen blessed with this opportunity that not many people get.

I apologize greatly for the lack of updating since the 13th. I haven't had a chance to get to a computer and when I have, it hasn't worked...how lovely.

World Championships August 14:
We boarded our bus at 6:30 am to take us to Glasgow Green where the games were taking place. We sat on the bus for a bit and then finally got off and were able to explore kind of. We started tuning up at around8:30ish and then at 10:30 we were at the line about to march on. It didn't really hit me until we got up to the line and then it was like my heart was beating out of my chest and I started shaking. The first run was pretty good. It was good enough that we qualified to go on to the next round...the FINAL round! When they announced "Grandfather Mountain Highlanders" for the qualifying bands, we screamed and jumped and it was awesome!
We got about 2 hours of free time which was really nice because I got to lay down on a blanket with my book and cotton candy, or "Puff Candy" as they call it over here. We played for the final round at 4:30 and it was honestly one of the best runs we have ever had! We all came off the field and were hugging eachother. It didn't really matter at that point if we won or not because it was just so awesome that we had gotten to that point!
At around 5:30, we all got back to our little tune up spot and walked as a group over to the huge feild to do the 'walk by' where we march past the reviewing stand and look at them as we march...it is also refered to as "eyes right".
We stood on the field for an hour or so and finally they announced the results. We weren't really breathing hahaha. Long story short, we ended up not placing on the prize list. But, in the qualifying round, we placed 2nd out of our group of 20 bands. Overall, we placed 11th out of 40 bands in all. Although we didn't win and we were of course disappointed, it was a good experience!

Ok, so the next day we left Glasgow and a driver, James, picked us up. We drove North from Glasgow and went to our first stop, the Isle of Eriska. We stayed there for 2 nights and went sight seeing. We left Isle of Eriska yesterday and came to the Torridon. It is absolutely beautiful here!

While we were driving around, it came to me that over here, they don't clear but and mess up nature like we do at home. I find it a shame that we are destroying God's masterpiece instead of focusing on it and how amazing our God is that we serve!

Yesterday we went to Yoker which is a small suburb outside of Glasgow. Thank goodness we didn't have to go until twelve because I got to sleep in which was nice. There we had a mock competition but the point of it was to please the crowd so it wasn't really a competition. Then we had a little bit of free time and at around four we did a parade through the city. Grandmommy, Max, and Aunt Holly came yesterday so we met them for dinner and had a very nice time.

Today we were supposed to have practice on the practice chanter at 10, but it ended up being a "let's go find a good peice of grass to practice on" because we were tired of practicing on concrete and marching up and down hills will not help us with our marching. A little later around noon, Dad, Trey, and Chuck showed up finally after they missed their flight in London due to a delay in DC. We met Grandmommy, Max, and Aunt Holly at Georges Square and found a little pub to eat at called Waxy O'Connor's. When we were done eating lunch I had to practically run back to dorm because I had a bagpipe check which was, let's just say, ok. Later on around 5:30, we wen to the Street Cafe next to the National Piping Center to hear The Scottish Power Pipeband. While they were playing, I went into the piping center and looked around. They had the history of bagpipes and a set of really old bagpipes in a really little museum which was really interesting to look at. While there I got a "Piping Live" tshirt, magazine, and Grandmommy got me a happy day present which was an SFU CD. They are the reigning world champions in Grade 1. Dinner was excellent! We ate at Fratelli Sarti which is a little Italian restaraunt.

Tomorrow are the World Championships. I am very nervous, but more excited. We are sounding very nice. Anyways, I will update later sheen I get a chance. I am going to bed now.

10:30 am we had practice on chanters and practice pads wchich went well. It lasted for about an hour. After we went to St. George's square to see Simon Frasier University Pipe Band play and all I have to say is= oh my goodnesss AMAZING! They played Canon in D. I had no idea you could play that on the bagpipes...oh I got it on video too so I will share when I return home.
Mom, PJ, and I ate lunch with the Boyds at The Counting House...it was pretty good. I wouldn't rate it the best I've ever had.
We walked around Glasgow for a little and it was fun. We saw a sale for Hunter rainboots and we didn't know the sale had ended until we were paying and the guy told us. uuugh very disappointing. Mom and Mary Page both got some, but I decided that since I already have rainboots and I don't really wear them, I don't need another pair.
Actual band practice was at 3ish and thank goodness the rain held off. Overall the day was pretty good. We went back to the place we ate at last night for dinner YUMMY!!!! We have a gig tomorrow afternoon and we Mrs. Lancaster is having a mother-daughter tea tomorrow morning so I'm looking forward to that.

I shall update hopefully tomorrow. =) I hope all is well with everyone!

This morning I got to sleep in again!! Practice was at 10:30 although it was freezing cold and raining. It cleared up around noonish and so we could practice on bagpipes and drums instead of practice chanters and practice pads. We sounded pretty good--but if I may say that we sound awesome when it is clear and sunny. Practice lasted until around 1:15ish and by the end we were all reallly hungry so we had a break for lunch. Mom made her, PJ, and I crumpets with ham and cheese which were pretty good. I didn't like them as much as mom and PJ but they weren't bad.
At around 2:30 all the pipers had to report to Jon and Justin for maintanence and just to look at the pipes. We figured out why my base drone has been acting up. Apparently it is bowed almost on the inside so its looking like I have to get a new drone...and we have shut it off so I can practice shutting off with just my outside tenor. It's honesly kinda frustrating only playing with one drone instead of my usual 2 (I don't play with all 3 because it makes it harder to play). But, hopefully we'll get it fixed soon.
Later, PJ, mom, and I went with the Boyd's and the Lancasters and Andrew to the Glasgow Cathedral. It is absolutely beautiful!!! We also walked around the grave yard and the necropolis at the top of the hill. From there, you can see the whole city of Glasgow! It is awesome! Oh and while we were walking over there, we all crowded into a phone booth and Liam climbed ontop of a cage thing in the grave yard.
For dinner, mom, PJ, and I went to this reallly great asian restaraunt called "wagamama" and it is the second best meal I have had so far. They made their tofu in the best way I have ever eaten it!
At the moment I am sitting with Liam, Flynn, Mary Page, and Andrew in the student center and its past our curfew so I have to get going.
Funny Story of the day: The cleaning crew locked Liam's key in his room and so he went to security and they told him he would have to sleep in the grass. Liam decided that he would climb out a window and into his window but he couldn't get it open. The security cameras saw and the security gaurd came to bust him...but he thought it was hilarious... all the way to unlock Liam's door, he was saying "naughty naughty boy"

I'll post more pictures later!

Hey everyone!
Ok, I hate that it has taken me a while since my last post but I've been so busy and haven't had a chance to get to a wi-fi place...oh and use someone's computer.
So, Saturday we went to the North Berwick and we left at 6am...got there around 8ish and competed at 10:40 and 11:40. It was a really long day!! There were some awesome bands though. We ended up getting 3rd in both the Quick March Medley and the March, Strathspey, and Reel oh yes, and we also got the "marching and display" award. hahaha! Then, after the whole day of competing and playing mass bands we had a parade which went for over a mile and through the town of North Berwick...we were exhausted.
Sunday, it was pretty much the same drill. Except, we left at 7 and got there around 8. We competed at 10:30ish...It went really well except for my outside tenor drone didn't cut off. It made me pretty upset...but it was ok because the judge didn't hear(he was on the other side of the circle.) We got 3rd there as well.
Today we had a free day which was absolutely awesome! Mom, PJ, and I stayed in Glasgow and walked around. Everyone else went to Edinbugrogh, which I'm pretty sure they had fun. I got to sleep in until 10:30 which was really nice. We ate lunch at this really good place and the salad was amazing! I haven't had vegetables since I got here and oh my goodness it was so good! After, we met up for dinner with Mary Page and Mrs. Boyd. We ate at a little restaraunt called "Two Fat Ladies" which was nice...but eating somewhere with the word fat in it is kinda..weird...ok, so, I have to go now but I'll talk later when I get a chance!

I'm FINALLY where I've always wanted to be!

I apologize for not posting for two days. You're probably wondering by now what I've been up to and how I am enjoying the whole experience.
First off, I would like to point out that watching the sun rise from an airplaine and seeing Glasgow from the plane, is breath taking! It is absolutely amazing what God has created--earth.
We landed in London yesterday at around 6:20ish in the morning after a 6 hour flight and to our suprise we had to go through security AGAIN before we could get on our connecting flight. Then, we arrived in Glasgow after about an hour flight. We caught a taxi which then brought us to Glasgow Caledonian University, where we are staying.
We got to the University and had to wait about 35 minutes to get our key and so we could get to our rooms.
The rooms here are actually pretty cool. They are quaint, one person rooms with a bed, desk, chair, and a bathroom. The bathroom, on the other hand...doesn't have a shower curtain and the shower is just a shower head mountain to the wall with a drain below it. If you can't imagine it just picture a cruise ship bathroom minues the actual shower with a curtain.
Practice was at around 3, so we had just enough time to go to Sainsburry's (I hope I spelled that right) which is a grocery store, and pick up some much needed food. By that time I felt sick I was so hungry because airplane food is not too great.
After practice, I went to my rooms and rested but didn't sleep because I was trying to get used to the time change, which hasn't yet kicked in. At 5ish we all met down at the bottom of the stairs and walked as a group to some street in Glasgow, then split up for dinner. Of course, I had fish and chips which was really good...but it was really really greasy which was the only draw back. After, we went back and I crashed in my bed at 8.
Woke up this morning to people talking really loudly outside in the courtyard area of the dorms and I doubt it was even 7. Practice on the chanters and practice pads was at 10:30 and then since it was raining, we stood, yet again, in the stairwell and waited for it to clear. Since it didn't--the rain only let up to a mist-- we practiced on pipes and drums in the rain.
Finally, I got to walk around and little and explore Glasgow with mom and P.J. which was fun. We got an early dinner at 5 and then came back. Liam came with me to search for computers and after a bit we found out that we needed a student id to use them so we walked all the way back to the dorms and I grabbed P.J.'s computer and walked back over here to the library. Tomorrow is the North Berwick Games! We will be leaving at exactly 6 am and so I should probably get going. I hope to update again soon when I get another chance. FYI: I don't think I will be able to update every day so please don't get too disappointed.

Funny Story (directed toward my frew crew hahaha): There is a street here named Renfrew Street and today when we were walking around, I saw a sine for Renfrew Champagne...this made me laugh really hard and everyone looked at me but no one got it.

Ok, so my mom, P.J., and I fly out Wednesday night and I am super excited! The rest of the band is flying out Wednesday but on a different flight. I cannot believe that time is flying by so quickly!
I have so much to do tomorrow -- alot of which I got done today. We went to Target and picked up the rest of our needs. Of course, I am still looking for my video camera charger. I am really hoping I find it so I don't have to buy another one. Also, I am hoping that I have time to get my nails done before we leave because, of course, a bagpipers fingers always need to look nice! (I polished my gillies last night and I got shoe pollish under my nails.)
The band had practice yesterday afternoon and I thought we sounded pretty good. We have been practicing so hard the past few months and I'm sure we will do well, even if we don't win (I better not say that too loud or I might have some people on my back).
Anyways, I guess that I'll update at the airport Wednesday or when we land on Thursday.