Bundanoon is Brigadoon, A day in the life by Malcolm MacDonald

Malcolm MacDonald

HOOT MUN! My first real Scottish Shindig!

The excitement and anticipation kicked in about 2.00am Saturday morning.  Lying in bed I am going through the calculations in my head, again, now it was 7.30 we meet at the usual cafe and I am thinking the ‘usual’?. Buggered if I can remember where the ‘usual’ was. Surely there can’t be too many ‘usual’s’ open in Bundanoon that time of morning.
Anyway, someone said it takes about two hours to Bundanoon. That means half an hour to get showered, dressed and ablutions, which means wake up about 5am. Better make it 4.30 to be safe.

OK 4.30 it is. I am thinking again, that gives me about two and a half hours sleep time left, now go to sleep. It seems ages before I fall back into slumber land, only to wake again to check the clock, 2.30am…God, I am a nervous wreck…go back to sleep, I don’t want to be late or forget to take some important part of the uniform, like the kilt or something…go to sleep…finally I sleep, then wake with a start.

Check the clock, it’s 3.00am. I may as well get up now. I can’t sleep. Go to sleeeeep…wake at 3.30…sleep…wake at 4.00…sleep...wake at 4.15. I may as well get up now. I am wide awake. This is going to be a hell of a long day, I just know it.

However, trying hard not to wake the whole house, I quietly go through the motions of what I have been thinking about for the last two hours, get everything in the car and finally take off for the Southern Highlands.

Piper John Post

What a beautiful morning for traveling. I arrive at Bundanoon, exactly on two hours. I am quite proud of myself doing it in the allotted time, without incurring any speeding fines in the process. Okay, I am here, where is everyone else? I think to myself. I am a bit early I guess, about half an hour, which I will submit to memory for next time.

I drive around town for a while to get my bearings and return to the shopping area to see some familiar faces and tartans outside a cafe. I wander inside the cafe and am confronted by the cheerful happy faces which I instantly recognize as those members of that famous band the Hills District Pipe Band, hooray, I made it.

Submit also to the memory bank as the usual cafe…

I soon found out why this cafe was so popular with the band. Not only was the food very tasty and cooked to perfection but the service was impeccable. I could not believe how fast I received my Bacon and Eggs I ordered. Thinking perhaps they preheated them somehow in anticipation of a sudden influx of patrons, whoops! It suddenly dawned on me, sensing some whispering and pointing my way, that I may have hijacked someone else’s previously ordered meal, sorry Rolfe. It did taste very nice and really hit the spot. With breakfast over, it was find a parking spot and prepare for the Street March.

God everything is so new. I am certainly out of my comfort zone here. I am thinking have I got all the correct equipment on. Have I got it on the correct way? Belts, socks, feather bonnet, plaid. God I am a nervous wreck. Keep calm. ‘Watch and learn’ I say to myself.
Now forget all that. Someone will be sure to let me know if anything is not right.

Lining up for mass bands

Fraser then asserts his authority “lets tune up and practice a few tunes”
I am thinking, ‘bloody hell my fingers are freezing’. I will be lucky to get any decent note out of these pipes at the moment. Warm them up and stand in the sun. Relax!

We tune up and finally position our instruments to commence playing “100 Pipers, Bonny Dundee and Cock of the North” Neil bellows out”BAND READY”. Thinking again, God I don’t think I can do this. Come on. Don’t be a piker. You have been waiting 50 odd years for this moment, don’t back out now, the drums start beating, pipes kick in…come on fingers, MOVE!!

I sort of play along in a fashion.

Thinking again, ‘thank goodness that’s over’. What a mess I made of that. I just could not get anything to synchronize. Bloody nervous wreck. Give us the next one Neil, I promise I will do better. I slowly conjure up more confidence. I power into the next set with more gusto and feel a bit better with myself.

After our practice, we form up in readiness for the street march. Wow! This is too much. Rubbing shoulders with some of the cream of Australian Bag Piping. Very humbling.

I look around and start to feel the anticipation, the vibrancy, the excitement in the air. I am mesmerized by the bright, colorful uniforms, the shinny instruments, marvel at the work people have put into the special community floats. People everywhere. Kids full of excitement, with huge smiles on their faces and big rosy cheeks. Bright  and beautiful banners.

A real friendly atmosphere. Everyone is involved, from the performers to the spectators. They are all working together to make the spectacle a success. Suddenly I hear the call from the leader, alerting everyone to be ready, for the parade is about to begin.

Jim Holgate, 'the waterboy'

The first band strikes up.

Thinking again ‘God I am a nervous wreck’, Perhaps I do too much thinking instead of doing? I make a comment to Peter Todd about my nerves and Peter, being an obvious old hand at these events and a very understanding and sensitive sort of bloke says to me “ why don’t you just snap out of it, stop being such a baby and get on with the job”

That was the exact tonic I needed, and off we marched.

Wow! What a thrill to be part of such a colorful and festive event. Look at all those people on the side of the road watching us, applauding us, taking photos, what a buzz’. All the beautiful music, beautiful atmosphere, a beautiful morning. I am on cloud nine here guys. Look at the kids with their big wide eyes and smiling little faces all clapping in time with our music, again, what a buzz. All along the road to the parade grounds we are clapped and cheered. Into the parade ground we march and proceed to the marked area and “BAND HALT” comes from our Drum Major. We come to a halt in line with the other bands for the formalities.

With the formalities over, the festivities begin and what an array of stalls and activities. I had often heard of such Highland occasions, however these Scots really know how to party. From traditional Scottish cuisine to the good old Aussie BBQ. From delicate fair lassies with their dancing skills to the competitions of brute strength from the strongmen. From the classic “Scottie” dog to the hairy Highland cattle, and plenty of Scottish trinkets and trivia.

Piper Rolfe Chrystal

And for our part, it was the exhibition of dazzling drill work, to tantalizing tunes from the sandy shores of Scotland, again appreciated by the enormous crowd cheering on. We break for lunch, with a couple of hours to spare until out next performance.

I wonder around in awe of the numerous stalls open for trading, by people of very interesting character, some of them. It’s a real experience to be part of this whole atmosphere. It’s all happening. There is a hundred things going on all the time, giving the patrons a smorgasbord of entertainment to choose from. There are people eating /picnicking, people shopping, buying Scottish paraphernalia, books, broaches, plants, shields, swords, dolls, jewelry.

There are activities like running races, dancing, throwing the haggis, eating the haggis, kicking the haggis(no not really), pipers practicing, drummers practicing, strongmen lifting weights, lifting heavy stones, people talking, people singing, sword fighting, throwing cabers, throwing weights, bands playing.

Woah! I need a rest.

I stagger back to my car, have a bite to eat, a cool Aussie beer and a chat with a couple of well seasoned fellow pipers. Not much of a rest however. It’s time to prepare for the mass band performance.

We tune up and have a practice. A few interested people gather around. Then more people gather around. Wow, it’s like a people magnet. We become fully surrounded within minutes, people clapping their hands, tapping their feet and singing along to our wonderful music. I am so overwhelmed at the sight of so many people, all in the one place, enjoying the same thing as everyone else.

Afternoon mass bands

Well we finally line up for the mass band performance and prepare to take our position on the parade ground.

On the command from our Drum Major, we march out and align our selves with all the other bands and wait for the direction from the Commander in Charge. Feeling a bit nervous again, looking around at all the obvious competent players, of all ages I felt very green in such a situation, I tell myself, don’t panic, relax, play if you know the tune. Just absorb the ambiance of the moment, have fun and smile.

What a thrill! Those tunes are still ringing in my ears.

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! This has been one of the most memorable moments of my life and to have shared it with so many people with similar interests and especially the HDPB members, who have been most patient and supportive in my ongoing quest to master the Bag Pipes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the band, a couple of behind the scenes people, supporting our group. They are Bens father Jim and his refreshment bar, and our very own paparazzi, Caitlin. Thank you both for being very supportive to the cause.
And thank you all very much for a fantastic day.

Malcolm MacDonald