Three different versions of our Highland Games Events over three days

In the first week of July, we held three different incarnations of our Highland Games Events in three different locations, over three days in a row. We were required to change-up how we run our Highland Games by the conditions of each location, and the varied abilities of the participants.

The Renaissance Club

The first event was at The Renaissance Club, a golf course in East Lothian with perfect greens and a beautifully managed fairway. Even the rough wasn’t that rough. A golf course immediately presents a set of complications for a Highland Games event. Chiefly, how to avoid damaging any playing areas when doing things like the Caber toss. Indeed, having an event that involves a lot of throwing heavy things around could be potentially disastrous for a meticulously landscaped golf course.

As if that wasn’t concern enough, our task was compounded by the fact that the Renaissance Club was the venue for the Scottish Open, which was to take place only a week later. This meant that we had to be extra careful. Any damage, accidental or incidental, wouldn’t have much time to be repaired before one of the biggest golf events in the world teed off. Even lots of feet on the green could mark the grass and damage it without leaving it sufficient time to re-grow.

The precautions we put in to place were to make sure to throw everything in to the rough, all the while trying to prevent too much traffic on the fairway and green. We also had some of the Greenskeepers on hand to make sure everything was okay.

The event was for two American families, around 30 people, visiting Scotland for the Open. They had done a Highland Games event before, and were very keen to throw hammers and toss Cabers.

We set up the Caber toss and they took turns, one-by-one, while the rest of the group cheered. We also did a Hammer Throw, a Welly-Wang, and a Scottish Stone.

All in all, it was a very successful event, with both Clients and Greenskeepers happy, and the Scottish Open continued the next week, aided by perfect grounds.

Dundas Castle

Our event at Dundas Castle the following day was a full day of entertainment, including Highland Games, for a Client’s 60^th birthday party. There were around 40 guests.

After lunch, we put on a Falconry show for the Client with a Falcon and a Golden Eagle. Then a Bagpiper piped the group down to the Highland Games demonstration.

This session of Highland Games was run by two Highland Games Champions. Pete Hart clinched the British Heavyweight win for 56lb weight over a bar at the Lochcarron Games in 2013. 6’6, 20-stone Bruce Robb is a champion of the Strathmore, Aberdeen, and North Berwick Games. Check them out in the video below.

Pete demonstrated the activities while Bruce provided colour commentary to the group. They then asked for volunteers to take part. Several members of the group jumped at the chance, while others were content to sit back and cheer from the sidelines.

After the Highland Games, the birthday group were piped to the Old Keep, a popular medieval wedding venue at Dundas Castle, and climbed to the top of the Old Keep to take pictures of the view of the River Forth. Then thegroup went in to the Armory for a Scottish Gin and Whisky Tasting.

The afternoon entertainment ended, and the group were piped back to the castle to their rooms before dinner. Later in the evening, Roddy the Piper heralded the guests out of their rooms and piped them down to dinner before performing the address to the Haggis.

After Dinner, the guests enjoyed a performance by the Reel Time Ceilidh Band. The evening was rounded out by a Pipe Band

Wedderburn Castle

Our third Highland Games event in three days was for an Incentive Group from Germany staying in Wedderburn Castle in the Scottish Borders. They had hired the castle for three days of business meetings and team bonding. They were interested in a Highland Games experience in order to foster teamwork, and to try something out of their comfort zone as a group.

In the spirit of trying new things, the group were first treated to a bagpipe workshop led by Roddy the Piper. This provided a great challenge, as getting a sound out of a set of pipes is not easy for the uninitiated. It’s also a great mental challenge, requiring a lot of technique, which provides some variety to the physical challenge to follow.

Then came the Highland Games. They took part in the Caber toss, Hammer throwing, and Scottish Stone. The physical activities required that they work together to be successful. Some team members took to the challenges more naturally than others, then took on the roles of teachers and motivators, to ensure the whole group had a positive experience.

A fun and challenging games was followed by a Falconry display, and then a whisky tasting as a well-earned reward.

For more about our Highland Games Events, please visit our page on the Reel Time Events site.

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If there is a more beautiful setting for a hotel anywhere in the world I have yet to see it.  We were lucky enough to have the pleasure of spending two days in March at Cameron House Hotel on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Thursday afternoon kicked off with one of our superb Highland games experiences with six teams battling it out for glory, despite the changeable weather. As well as some caber tossing, we were very fortunate that our most celebrated national predator species, “Weeus Hairyus Haggis”, were in season so guests also had the rare opportunity of participating in a spot of Haggis Hurling***.

Across the hotel, (to protect the birds from a haggis attack,) guests also enjoyed some falconry, a farmers dash assault course, a bagpipe masterclass, and learned some new moves with our ceilidh and Highland dance workshop. It was a hard fought couple of hours with the Speyside Team eventually emerging victorious.

Things were equally as lively on Friday night for the gala dinner. As luck would have it, Robert the Bruce and his pal Rob Roy happened to be in Scotts Bar for a drink, so joined the guests pre dinner to chew the fat.  Both natural raconteurs, they kept everyone entertained until dinner was called.  Beautiful floral table centres were created by Plantation Florists and our Scottish gift bags were there to greet guests when they took their seats for a wonderful meal.

Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy were also on hand to join those keen to try out our Scottish themed photo booth.  They were then surprised by a “Beat the Retreat“, a full marching pipe band in No 1 military uniform.  To end the night in classic Reel Time style, the six piece Scraggly Cats band were joined by four traditional Highland dancers.  They took guests on a musical voyage through until midnight.  A mixture of the band’s signature, funky, rock ceilidh tunes and a solid helping of classic pop covers ensured a varied mix on the dancefloor for the rest of the night.

Our group were an absolute pleasure to entertain on both days and we hope they enjoyed the rest of their time in Scotland as much as we enjoyed having them here.

***Please note, no haggis were hurt during the hurling activity.

With thanks to Ewa Labuda for the photography and David Fletcher at Reel Time for the words.

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Burns Night is always one of the busiest periods of the year for Reel Time Events, and 2016 was no different.  Here is a quick roundup of this year’s events and what we have been doing to help celebrate our great Bard’s birthday

Roddy and the Scraggly Cats had the pleasure of entertaining the Builders Merchants Federation at Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club.  Roddy was on hand to address the haggis and then join the Scraggly Cats for their funky and up beat fusion of ceilidh and pop, giving all of the guests a fantastic party for the evening.

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At Aberdeen’s AECC Roddy and the team were entertaining not one but two Burns Night events.  The first was a Burns supper for a corporate client, who were entertained by Roddy and the Reel Time Band and provided a bangingburnsnight for all the guests.

The second event at the AECC also included Highland Games Activities and a whisky tasting, giving guests a taste of all things Scottish, before being entertained by the Reel Time Band in the evening.

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Back in Edinburgh Roddy was busy at various venues across the city.  Mansfield Traquair’s Burn’s night celebration was an intimate party in a grand venue, with Heritage Portfolio key staff, board of directors and invited guests from their parent company entertained by Roddy and the Scraggly Cats, and treated to one of Roddy’s characterful and animated Haggis Addresses.

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At the EICC the Reel Time Ceilidh Band accompanied by our talented Highland Dancers entertained a group of hosted DMCs, to give them a taste of a Reel Time Burns night celebration and a night to remember.

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Roddy offered up a contemporary performance at the National Museum of Scotland for the Burns Unbound event, playing a contemporary bagpipe set with a dance backing track and accompanied by the fabulous Tartanium dancers.  We were lucky enough to be given a video of the event by one of the guests, Mr K Bryce Morrison, which you can see here

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And just when you though it was a hard life for a piper over Burns season, Roddy’s last job was to jet to Madrid for one final Burns night, playing at the Ambassadors residence for a secret client, where he treated guests to a rousing haggis address, and playing his pipes and encouraging some ceilidh dancing in the warmer climbs of a Madrid evening.

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Travelling from South Africa for their incentive trip Momentum were treated to a truly Scottish experience by Reel Time Events for the Edinburgh part of their journey.  With great collaboration between Reel Time Events and Thundermark in the run-up to the event, guests were treated to the best entertainment possible for their visit to Edinburgh.  To get both groups in the mood for the evenings entertainment they were fitted into kilt outfits for the gentlemen and sashes for the ladies – in all 80 kilt outfits and 70 sashes were successfully fitted across 2 venues over 6 hours, while the Reel Time team also offered some local knowledge and tourist info for how to spend the day, before the evening kicked off in Reel Time Style.

With entertainment at 2 different venues for the 2 groups it was a busy night for the Reel Time Team.  The first groups gala dinner and entertainment was held at the stunning Hopetoun House, where they were greeted by a welcome piper on arrival.  During the drinks reception there was a spectacular surprise Beat the Retreat, to give the guests a real rousing taste of Scotland before sitting down to dinner.  No Scottish gala dinner is really complete without a haggis course and whisky, and this was no exception, with Roddy addressing the haggis for the guests and William Wallace talking to them about the whiskies on offer.  After dinner to really get the pulses racing it was over to the Scraggly Cats, with their rocking ceilidh sound.  Accompanied by highland dancers opening the show with contemporary dance display, guests were treated to a mixture of funky ceilidh and pop from the band, through to conclude the evening on a high.

The second group were treated to their gala dinner and entertainment at the spectacular Ghillie Dhu, where they were treated to a truly exciting evening of entertainment.  With a magician performing street style, close up illusions and slight of hand over the drinks reception, guests were then wowed by Tartaniums high-impact, high-energy performance after dinner.  Blending bagpipes with electric guitar, keys and drums their exciting and innovative take on traditional Scottish ceilidh music created a real excitement with the guests.   Accompanied by their troupe of mini-kilted dancers performing their choreographed contemporary highland dance routine, everyone was treated to an exciting and contemporary twist on  traditional Scottish Ceilidh.

The following day both groups took the opportunity to head south for Scotland vs South Africa in the rugby World Cup, the result going the way of the visitors and adding to their great memories of their trip.

If you would like to discuss your incentive trip to Scotland and see how Reel Time Events can provide an exciting and memorable experience for your staff please contact us.

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Held in the stunning venue of the National Museum in Edinburgh BGL’s senior management were treated to a Scottish show with a contemporary twist from Reel Time Events, where delegates were truly immersed in Scottish culture for the evening.

Reel Time provided the ladies with tartan sashes to compliment the gentlemen in their kilt outfits to get everyone dressed for an evening of Scottish entertainment.  Delegates were welcomed in true Scottish style by a bagpiper as the arrived at the event.  Once inside there was a host of entertainment for everyone to enjoy.  Edinburghs Got Soul Choir wowed from the first level balcony with their powerful, passionate and professional performance to the party below with their rousing and high energy harmonies.

Then it was the Reel Time Bands turn to entertain with their own unique and rocking twist on a ceilidh.  Accompanied by both traditional and contemporary dancers the 7-piece ensemble, complete with singer, rocked the crowd with a Reel Time twist.

To close the night guests were treated to a spectacular “beat the retreat” by Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe band, marching through the museum.  An amazing finale to a very exciting and eventful evening.

For a sneek peek video of the event, and what goes on in the museum after hours click here.

If you would like a bespoke quote for your Scottish evening, tailored to you exact requirements contact us to discuss your requirements

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At the cutting edge of the Scottish events and entertainment scene, Reel Time Events provides contemporary and innovative Scottish events and memorable entertainment.  The office team comprises 6 of the finest entertainers in their fields.  The team is young and vibrant, helping to bring some fresh and exciting entertainment solutions for events.

Roddy Deans – Company Director, haggis stabber and bagpipe master.

Roddy has been entertaining audiences in Scotland and across the world for over 20 years.  Whether with the Reel Time Band, as a lone piper or compering an event, with Roddy on the job you are guaranteed a memorable Scottish experience.

Claire Weir – Wedding Coordinator, seamstress and gift bag stuffer.

Claire is our resident wedding coordinator, who will make sure that your wedding  goes to plan and is a fantastic experience for you and your guests.  With years of experience Claire works closely with all of our wedding couples to deliver the perfect day for everyone. Claires passion and enthusiasm for wedding planning is limitless, so much so she still has enough energy to produce our beautiful luxury giftbags, and as the only lady in the office keep all the boys in line.

David Fletcher – Conference Coordinator and fine whisky nose.

Dave is our conference planner and resident whisky expert.  Having worked as event planner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, his knowledge and passion for whisky is incredible.  Along with planning and coordinating our conferences he often heads out to educate the masses on whisky tastings with his big fine nose.

Chris Findlay – Corporate event planner and highland dancer.

Chris is our corporate events planner and dancer extraordinaire.  With his 15 years of dancing experience working with Roddy we thought its about time he took it easy so we have given him a desk job!  He knows what makes the difference between a good performance and a truly memorable one, and is a great man to have planning and coordinating your event.  We do roll him out for the occasional dancing job too, just so he doesn’t get too comfy behind his desk.

Mooj – Kilt fitter and highland games heavy.

Mooj is our resident kilt expert and has several years of experience working within the kilt hire industry.  He is most likely to be found demonstrating to the uninitiated how to correctly wear a kilt, and convincing them how liberating a breeze between the knees really is!   His orange sporran (don’t ask!)  is often spotted on highland games events and artisan workshops, injecting some extra Scottish fun to proceedings.

Mark Gilligan – The Beardy Barman.

Mark is the man for all things alcoholic – as part of our team he is the one who looks after the bar and protects the whisky from Dave! An incredibly talented barman and cocktail maker he can create anything from classic cocktails to bespoke creations for your event, and he can even teach you the skills you need to create your own through his amazing masterclasses.

Everyone in Reel Time Events would like to say a big thank you to David Ho Photography for coming to the office and taking these great photos.  His relaxed and easy going style instantly put everyone at ease and got fantastic shots of the team together and individually.  Roddy and David have known each other for 15 years and been at several of the same weddings together, with David documenting many couples big day.  Now David is moving into a new area and taking fantastic images perfect for professional and social media profiles.  Check out a selection of his images here.

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Reel Time Events had the pleasure of being part of the M&I Forum held in Edinburgh, in conjunction with Visit Scotland, providing a rousing Scottish experience and entertainment for the hundreds of meeting and event planners visiting our city from across the globe.

The Meetings and Incentive (M&I) Forum is a speed dating-style networking event bringing together buyers and suppliers from the events industry across Europe and gives them a taste of what Scotland has to offer. Reel Time Events helped Visit Scotland showcase the best of Scottish entertainment as part of the social programme.

Across the week of the event, Reel Time Events provided stilted Scottish performers and fire performers, along with Roddy the Piper welcoming the delegates to The Assembly Rooms for their evening reception.  Rachel Hair was also there, providing beautiful background music on the clarsach during dinner.

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

For the delegates gala dinner many of the guests wanted to fully immerse themselves in culture and traditions of a Scottish Ceilidh and wear kilt outfits to the event.  With the help of our new “how to measure” kilt video, delegates were able to provide their sizes in advance so that kilt outfits could be provided for all those that wanted one.  Distributed in the afternoon during the Forum at the EICC, guests were able to view our “how to wear” your kilt video for a bit of helpful guidance and gave them the afternoon to get in the mood, ready for the evening of fun and frolics.

The gala dinner itself was held in the National Museum, where the delegates were treated to a rousing and upbeat performance from the Reel Time Band, with their modern and contemporary twist on a traditional ceilidh.  Gemma Donald, Young Traditional Musician finalist, also performed a rousing solo during dinner.  Along with the band, our highland dancers were in attendance, showcasing their skills on the dancefloor for the guests and helping guide them through the various dances called by the band, including one of the largest “Orcadian Strip the Willow” the band has ever seen!

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

For the grand finale, the evening was brought to a close by a “beat the retreat” by a band of pipes and drums, a spectacular end to the evening in a spectacular venue.

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

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To watch a video of the ceilidh and pipe band click here

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After such an amazing week organised by Visit Scotland, we are looking forward to welcoming many of the delegates organising their own incentive trips and meetings in our beautiful city.  If this is the sort of experience you would like visitors and guests of your conference or incentive trip to experience then please contact us for a tailored quote.

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From their conference hosted in the EICC, delegates were greeted at the castle with a grand Scottish welcome – a piper playing as guests made their way across the drawbridge and into the castle.  Moving through the castle, guests were entertained by a Celtic Pipe and Drummer group playing from the Argyle Battery, overlooking Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Gardens.  Not only was there music, but also Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots with her ladies in waiting could be found mingling with guests around the Castle.

Alongside Scotland’s Great characters from history the Clann staged a battle in Crown Square.  Sparks flew and guests were aghast with the clash of sword and steel of the quartet of warriors.  There was also a medieval photobooth, for guests to get into the spirit of the event and have their photo taken with the weapons and clothing which our highland ancestors would have worn.

For those looking to sample some of our rich drinking heritage, there was a whisky tasting for guests to get a wee warming tipple of some of our finest drams.  With 4 great Malt Whisky expressions for guests to sample and expert tasting notes from Chris White (manager of one of Edinburgh’s new and exciting whisky bars “Usquabae“ on Hope Street) and Robin Laing (Chairman of the Tasting Panel at the Scottish Malt Whisky Society)

For the grand finale, The Clann rallied the guests from Crown Square and moved through the castle, where they were met by a Pipe band who “Beat the Retreat” through the Castle and over the drawbridge leading the guests towards their coaches and home.

If you are hosting a conference and you would like some Scottish entertainment, why not contact Reel Time Events for some expert advice and inspiration.

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Burns night is the annual celebration and commemoration of the life, work and spirit of Scotland’s great poet Robert Burns. From his humble beginnings on the family farm in Ayr, his passion and dynamic, contemporary vision has elevated him into one of Scotlands most loved and celebrated figures.  Every year, around the great Bards birthday on the 25th January, Burns night is celebrated across the globe. Remembering his famous and humorous poetry and songs, often aided with a generous serving of haggis and lashings of whisky – a celebration Burns himself  would have been proud of!  Reel Time had the pleasure and honour to help celebrate this great occasion across Scotland in a number of venues.

Starting in the granite city, in Aberdeen’s AECC, Roddy was piping and stabbing haggis for their clients evening.  The Scraggly Cats band wowed the crowd at an oil and gas industy Burns night with their blend of rocking ceilidh, rock, pop and soul music.  Keeping everyone on their feet with their dynamic and energetic performance, everyone danced and drank and thoroughly enjoyed their evening.

Tartanium also made their way north, to Ardoe House, creating a stir with their high octane performance.  Supported by the Tartanium dancers, it was a spectacular performance of music and dance that injected a new dimension into the Scottish celebrations.

Moving south to the heart of the country, working with Historic Scotland in Stirling Castle, Reel Time provided an evenings entertainment, with comedy from Fred MacAuley, Sandy Strang, and Jane McCarry, and music from Barluath – a new and exciting band from Glasgow who embrace the traditional and contemporary music of Scotland, and feature Ainsley V Hamill, finalist from Scottish Young Traditional Musician of the year.

In our beautiful capital, in the spectacular surroundings of The Hub, the Reel Time Band played their lively and energetic ceilidh music, keeping the Federation of Master Builders entertained for the evening, while Roddy was the evening’s compere, addressing the haggis, keeping proceedings on track and introducing “a toast to the lasses” “reply from the lasses” and “the Immortal Memory”.  The Full Burns night entertainment package! 

The Reel Time Band also played at the beautiful venue of Norton House Hotel, helping the Heineken crowd enjoy their celebrations and keep the them rocking into the early hours.

Burns Night is such a special and exciting evening, and it was truly a pleasure to help all of our guests enjoy and celebrate the life and poetry of our great Bard.  If you would like to book your event for 2016 and celebrate Burns night in style please contact us

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