Will ye no come back again?

Author: Rosalie Dale IPA
Word Count: 705
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Will ye no come back again?

One of the most captivating events I’ve ever attended is “Bundanoon is Brigadoon” in our Southern Highlands. The transformation of this village into a byegone era is successfully seductive. For a few hours you are entranced and transported back in time. Water fights, egg tossing, and all of the activities mentioned in the article remind us of delightful simple pleasures our society has left behind as ‘unsophisticated’. It is with greqat reluctance that one eventually leaves and returns to … dare I say the ‘real’ world?!!

If I’d known I would be writing a piece about this event, I would have taken different shots! NEXT TIME I will be more prepared!

_ FEATURED in Australian Travel Photography & Writing Group June 2009_

Will ye no come back again? belongs to the following groups:

Australian Travel Photography and Writing - 1 per 24hrs and Former DPF Members

If the skirl of pipes through a morning mist brings on a fit of goose bumps …

If the swing and flip of Mel Gibson’s kilt has been known to raise your pulse rate …

If damsels in uniform and daggers tucked into brawny blokes’ socks leave you in a swoon …

... you may want to don your Tamoshanta, grab your trusty camera, and treat yourself to a visit to the Southern Highlands of NSW where the sleepy village of Bundanoon, for a brief moment in April each year, becomes …

BRIGADOON

Campbells and Conichies, MacDonalds and MacGregors sport tartans and sporrans and kirtles. ..

West Highland Terriers and Irish Wolfhounds bear up bravely under bows, coats and bandanas, all in appropriate plaid.

Sword fights break out …

... cabers are tossed (and dropped !!)

... and the lifting of the massive stones of manhood causes jaws to drop and eyes to water as the ‘min’ turn puce with effort.

The stallholders are stocked up and waiting to introduce you to the delights of haggis, or maybe a Jimmy Hat to impress your mates.

It’s possible to indulge in a dram or two of Malt if you’ve come by steam train, or a blend of Scottish Tea if you’re driving yersel hame!
Take a lesson in thrust and parry, have a throw of the hammer (if you aren’t susceptible to a hernia!) …

... or sit back and enjoy the dedication of dogs and their owners …

From the opening parade, to the massed bands of the grand finale it is an experience that will live with you for a long time. In fact I would wager a Scottish Pound or two that, as April rolls around in subsequent years, the memory of dew-dampened grass, coal-scented steam and the plaintive call of the piper’s lament, will tempt you back – at least one more time – to visit BRIGADOON.

DATE: Early April each year.

GETTING THERE: Bundanoon, in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is 137kms southwest of Sydney – no more than two hours drive from Sydney via the M7 and the Hume Highway. A helpful map can be found at http://www.maplandia.com/australia/new-south-wales/wingecarribee/bundanoon/.
Steam trains also run from Sydney and Canberra especially for the event.

ACCOMMODATION: Around the Brigadoon weekend, more than 20,000 people pour through the village so accommodation is well booked up. It is advisable to check ahead if you intend to make a weekend of it. http://www.thesouthernhighlands.com.au/southern-highlands-accommodation/bundanoon-accommodation

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: Morton National Park with hiking trails, antique shops, art and craft stores, and a local market which is held on the first Sunday of every month. The Post Office serves delicious meals, and the Bike Shop makes wonderful coffee!

FURTHER INFORMATION: http://www.southern-highlands.com.au/

Sarah Moore

LOL – there are some awesome, fun images in there! Great documentary Mum.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Wish I had room to put more – I am sure some of the pipers came with ventilators and pacemakers, while the kids’ outfits were straight from some fantasy movie! At least we now get to see what the blokes wear under their kilts …
Sarah Moore

LOL – I’m not sure I need to know what’s under their kilts!!
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Imagination is probably more fun than fact in this case huh.
Craig Hender

Fantastic work Rosalie! I’d love to see this (one day?). You have done a wonderful job here, well done.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

It is a very engaging event Craig … if you visit Sydney make it around April and we’ll take you!!! Thanks for the kind words.
EarthGipsy

FANtastic Rosalie ~ Tops Shots and very informative info.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Trying to brush up the writing skills … they are a bit rusty! Thank you :)
Prasad

Fantastic presentation, Rosalie
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thank you my friend.
Warren Williams

Gee why was I not in OZ for this, your got an excellent lot of images, you captured the day in style.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

A photographer’s paradise Warren. We’ll have to get you stowaway lessons so you can come back again …
Bev Woodman

This is brilliant work Rosalie. I’m sorry I missed this years event but I must put it on the list for next year. You have really done a wonderful summary and promotion for this event.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

I think I was born in the wrong era Bev – I so love anything that smacks of yesteryear! And I am also one of these strange people who really does love bagpipes. I’ve been to Brigadoon on the steam train (a tad tiring after a very early start at Central station!) but this year, drove. Mark you diary … !!! Thanks heaps for the encouragement.
Bev Woodman

You’ll have to put up with me crying with the bagpipes – they do that to me! Its my Walker blood coming through.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Me too – I think it goes way back on my dad’s side!
Christopher E...

excellent coverage of a very cool event, felt like i was there, i bet it is amazing to be around such energy, great job rosalie
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Chris you hit the nail on the head – there is an energy alright. And everyone gets right into the spirit of the day. Thanks so much for taking time to comment and for your positive thoughts. xx (I missed the mist that morning – it was more of a drizzle this time!!)
Phil Thomson IPA

Absolutely brilliant work, Rosalie !!! A fantastic range of images, wonderful, informative reporting that really makes you feel like you’ve just walked back through the mist and over the bridge into the 1954 movie You’ve just bought back so many fond memories, especially with my Scottish heritage !!
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Phil thank you for that wonderful link! I, too, get ‘fed up with the big city hubbub’ so perhaps that is why Brigadoon really appeals!!
GailD

Wow. Brilliant Rosalie. I’ll have to come next year.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

The problem is trying to be everywhere at once Gail! It really is great.
Tom Broderick IPA

great series of pictures. tom
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thanks heaps Tom
Philip Golan

Beautiful work Rosalie.
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thanks Phil – a world away from your current neck of the woods!
Dennis Gay

Och Aye Rosalie!
What a bright, cheerful, entertaining and interesting promotion you have made!
For you information though, women not “in dirks”. Dirks are the traditional Scottish daggers and as far as I know only highland men carry them. No, they are not the ones in the “socks” they have a different name. These are called “Sgian Dubhs” and are tucked into the “highland hose”. ;-)
Find out more about it all here if you wish.
Great work kiddo see if you can sell it to Bundanoon/Brigadoon for next year’s event.
GB
D!
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thanks for the correction Dennis – I’d googled for hours and obviously put something in the wrong column!!! Fixed now.
Tom Gomez

A great set of images Rosalie, looks like a good day was had by all. Thanks for sharing …
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Appreciated Tom. It certainly is a step back in time.
Tugela

Wonderful images Rosalie and trust Dennis to correct your little inaccuracy. As Joak would say” I dinnie ken wit aw the fuss is aboot, there is nothing worn under the kilt, it is all in guid working order” lol
Jim
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

G’day Jim – I’m off to dolly up the error Dennis found (via good old google!) ... but I did find the following info by a bloke called Jim Healy re the ‘under the kilt’ dilemma …
Underclothes will be worn when:
Taking part in organised sports
Dancing (solo Highland)
At any time ladies are in the Mess (which would cover mixed dancing).
At all other times it is discretionary.
Whose discretion I did not ask!
Rosalie Dale IPA

BTW if anyone is interested in a shirt which advertises Tugela’s quote regarding what is under the kilt, there is one available on RB created and modelled by one of our own members here !!
Marvin Collins

Excellent work Rosalie, wonderful images and writing, well done!!
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thanks Marvin.
Deanna Roberts...

Aye ach aye. Home to Bonnie Jean indeed. Bet they hid all the BO with the scent of heather… or doesn’t it have a scent? Hee hee. Nice collection Rosalie. Well done :D
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

Thanks so much Deanna. Actually the organisers like this also and have offered me a press pass for next year – so hopefully some better ‘up close and personal’ shots eh?!!!
Marilyn Harris

Fabulous work Rosalie! I would so love to make it to next years gathering! Thanks for the wonderful info! x Marilyn :o)
Deanna Roberts...

A press pass would be brilliant! Congrats on that Rosalie. Up close and personal could be interesting, especially where the kilts are concerned….mmm…. :)
Globalphotos

Looks like so much fun, well done !!
joak

bloody hell how did a miss this!!!..ahll tell ye what lass am awfy envious o ye whit a braw wee day oot!an fur aw they folk that think theres nothin worn under the kilt they are right its never used noo!
Rosalie Dale IPA replied

You’d do well in Australia mate with your sense of humour! C’mon down any time – aye, a braw wee day oot awrite! Can’t wait for next year (what is it about bagpipes – they always reduce me to jelly, in the nicest way!)
George Petrovsky

G’day Rosalie!

Did this go to any of the Southern Highlands papers or the Tourist Information people? Should’ve! Next year, they may therefore give us our press passes…..

:)G!
Philip Johnson

APRIL 17 2010 RED BUBBLE MEETUP BRIGADOON COME ONE COME ALL
Josie Jackson

This sounds all so exciting, I so wish I could go (boohoo)..... I’ll get there one day…. I hope every last one of you have a fantastic day, and lets hope we get to see lots of pictures from all you redbubblers that are going…...