Pennod 2 Wil ac Aeron

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-We're Wil and Aeron,

-farmers from the Dyfi Valley.

-From the Andean peaks

-to Scandinavian glaciers...

-..we've experienced

-rural life all over the world.

-In this series,

-our travels take us to Scotland.

-Welcome to Scotland. We made it.

-We're realizing a childhood dream.

-We're on a road trip in a campervan

-salvaged from the scrap yard.

-Cross fingers,

-it'll survive the 1500 journey.

-We're normally best friends.

-I'm in the wrong lane.

-I'm in the wrong lane.

-

-Just go round.

-A month in each other's

-pockets is asking for trouble.

-National Park Highlands!

-We'll have new experiences...

-..and challenge each other.

-We'll see the traditional...

-It's perfect.

-It's perfect.

-

-..and the modern.

-It's nice.

-The cities,

-Irn-Bru and haggis aside...

-..we'll see huge estates,

-mountains and distant islands.

-I can't get my head round

-the scale of it.

-How do our lives differ

-from the Scottish way of life?

-This time, we follow

-our Celtic cousins' footsteps.

-What is the truth

-behind the Scottish stereotype?

-A Scottish explosion.

-In one day, in one field,

-a sea of tartan and bagpipes.

-Next stop, the Highland Games.

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-I have a Highland Games catalogue.

-What's that?

-What's that?

-

-Something made for you.

-You'll be ideal for that.

-It's like ballet dancing.

-To me, the Highland Games

-is the Porage Oats man...

-..throwing a heavy object.

-It's like school games, but not

-in a school and not for children.

-You didn't do well in those.

-Pitlochry is an ancient rural town.

-It's a bit like Betws Y Coed.

-Pitlochry Highland Games.

-Pull in, this is it.

-As the important event approaches...

-..we're spending

-a few days with the organizers.

-From May to September...

-..sixty Highland Games

-are held in Scotland.

-Like our eisteddfodau,

-their success relies on volunteers.

-You're the famous June.

-Infamous June. What's your name?

-Infamous June. What's your name?

-

-Aeron.

-Erron.

-Erron.

-

-Not far off.

-I'm Wil.

-I'm Wil.

-

-Nice to meet you.

-June is making sure

-it's all ready for the big day.

-You're going to put up some banners.

-June is the salt of the earth,

-and she soon puts us to work.

-Where did you get coffee?

-Where did you get coffee?

-

-You've no time to drink yours.

-She expects over 4000 visitors

-and 1500 contestants.

-That's my coffee.

-Yours is inside.

-We're competing in the caber toss.

-As if that wasn't enough,

-June has more for us to do.

-When you march down

-with the pipe band...

-March down?! You're throwing

-a lot at us now! Wearing kilts?!

-You're going to march down in front

-of the lead pipe band in the parade.

-In front of the lead pipe band.

-You'll have a pipe band outfit

-to wear.

-The plot thickens.

-Yes!

-The bands that come down the street

-get judged on their marching.

-Down the street?!

-From the top end of town to here.

-You'll walk round the park as well,

-leading the parade.

-Leading the parade?!

-Oh! No surprises.

-Not a lot to worry about.

-You'll be absolutely fine.

-I'm away to do something else.

-I'm away to do something else.

-

-Ta-ra now.

-Oh, Lord.

-To compete in the games and march

-with the band, we need to dress up.

-It's a rule and a tradition.

-But it's not as easy as that.

-It's not going to go around you.

-Gillie is a member of

-The Vale Of Atholl Pipe Band.

-The costume is as important

-as the marching.

-The kilt fits,

-but will we fit in with the band?

-I'm not sure about Wil.

-I'm not sure about Wil.

-

-Breathe in.

-The costume dates back

-to the 16th century.

-It's a privilege to wear -

-if everything fits.

-They say I need expanders

-for my waist.

-How's that?

-That's better.

-The thousands of different tartans

-are unique to every clan.

-That's spot on.

-We're wearing MacNaughton tartan.

-Perfect.

-Pants or no pants,

-that's the question.

-There's a story

-behind all traditions.

-So pants off.

-OK.

-William, give us a twirl.

-He's got the Asian look,

-with the trousers.

-I feel very smart...

-..and powerful.

-I could toss the caber

-from here into oblivion.

-I feel bullet-proof.

-The games are a combination

-of athletics, music...

-..and traditional Scottish events.

-We went over for a nose

-as the big men prepared.

-This is where they'll be throwing

-heavy objects tomorrow.

-They include father and son

-David and Lorne Colthart.

-That's the big son, Lorne.

-He was presented by the queen at

-Braemar Glenfiddich Championships.

-And you taught him.

-And you taught him.

-

-I taught him all he knows.

-Like fools, we offer to help.

-We're soon up to our knees in water.

-They put the caber in the water to

-make it heavier. As if it's needed.

-It's heavier the further I take it.

-I can't see me lifting this.

-I can't see how we can balance it.

-You're four stones heavier than me.

-That'll make a difference.

-You're all muscle. I'm 50% fat.

-The champion has no faith in us.

-We start with the children's caber.

-A baby one.

-A baby one.

-

-Who are we to argue?

-The caber, narrow end on the ground,

-wide end at the top.

-You get down,

-clasp your hands together.

-Try to get down

-and keep the balance.

-That's the hardest bit,

-picking it up.

-Then you run forward, and flip it.

-Try to get it

-as straight as you can.

-Lorne travels to over 30 games every

-year to challenge the world's best.

-You're not the champion

-on child's play.

-Down as far as you can.

-Bend your knees.

-Hands below. Keep them together.

-Like that?

-Move forward and flip,

-make a small run.

-No problem!

-Like that.

-Down you go,

-right to the bottom to the butt.

-Down here?

-OK. It's windy up there.

-Nearly, nearly.

-Nearly, nearly.

-

-Not enough.

-As if that wasn't heavy enough,

-Lorne gives us the men's caber.

-He flings the ten stone caber

-as if it were a twig.

-That's how it's done.

-Right.

-Hands under. Throw it away.

-This one is heavy.

-I had no control over it.

-It suddenly dawns on me...

-..the Porage Oats man and Lorne

-make it look much easier than it is.

-It's hard enough as it is.

-But I'm doing it in a skirt.

-Think about it.

-Steak and asparagus

-is the traditional pre-games meal.

-The Coltharts invited us to supper.

-Lorne's three brothers also compete.

-This family breeds muscles.

-Perhaps you don't understand...

-..what an honour it is

-to be invited for supper.

-It's like eating

-with Lionel Messi's family...

-..or Usain Bolt's family.

-That's how big it is.

-Not "dolphinoise"!

-It's in their genes.

-I'm not surprise

-he's the Highland champion.

-The father competed for years.

-There's a world record holder

-on his mother's side.

-Between the two of them,

-hybrid vigour, the Colthart family.

-They've been raised with weights.

-It's in the blood.

-I'm rather worried

-about tomorrow's challenge.

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-The big day has arrived.

-It's the Highland Games.

-But first...

-..the small matter

-of leading the opening ceremony.

-Morning, Gillie.

-Hello, how are you?

-I've got your kilt.

-Thank goodness.

-Thank goodness.

-

-You're not going to march in jeans.

-We'll have a last minute check,

-will we?

-I'm a bit worried about all this.

-We haven't met the band

-and we're leading them.

-Gillie is fully aware

-of the procession's significance.

-Does it need to be a bit tighter?

-We're feeling the pressure

-and fresh air between our legs.

-To avoid any eyefulls,

-I haven't got any boxer shorts on.

-Catch you later.

-Catch you later.

-

-Thank you.

-If Aeron is going without pants,

-I'll have to do the same.

-I should have shaved.

-My best pants too.

-I've worn them for three days.

-It's quite liberating!

-Please.

-It's only 10.00am, but people

-are flocking in, some from afar.

-Where do you come from, sir?

-Where do you come from, sir?

-

-Belgium.

-The pipe band parade

-officially opens the games.

-The countdown has begun.

-It's time to meet the band.

-I feel like a soldier.

-I feel like a soldier.

-

-Me too.

-The size of the parade

-is becoming clear...

-..with hundreds

-of bagpipe and drum players.

-We're drowning in sound.

-We're drowning in sound.

-

-I'd like to learn one day.

-The atmosphere is amazing.

-It's not just these players.

-Many other teams

-are blowing across each other.

-It's totally nuts,

-being part of this.

-I'm very glad we are.

-The parade is much more

-than just walking at the front.

-They depend on us to lead the way.

-I'm Bowen Walker,

-one of the drum majors.

-Nice to meet you. I'm Wil.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Aeron.

-I have to say, you look smart.

-I have to say, you look smart.

-

-You look smart as well.

-At this point, I listen

-to every word of advice.

-Start off on the left foot.

-Don't put your hand up too high.

-When you say left, it's left.

-That's it. Left!

-Pipes and drums, forward!

-Quick march!

-Left, left.

-That's it, you've got it.

-Well done.

-I'll give the halt command.

-Band, halt.

-Check one, two.

-OK, we'll do that on the way.

-BAGPIPES

-Aeron, we're going.

-Aeron, we're going.

-

-We have to go.

-After training for all of five

-minutes, the time has arrived...

-..to lead hundreds

-of band members through the town.

-With seconds to go...

-..a hush descends on the town.

-The atmosphere is amazing.

-By the right, quick march!

-DRUMS

-BAGPIPES

-# ROSE OF ALLENDALE #

-Sidney Nelson

-BAGPIPES STOP

-I felt quite emotional for a bit.

-It's like going to war.

-You know, I could march all day,

-with them playing.

-It did feel like going to war.

-June looks happy.

-But we're only halfway.

-Now we have to welcome

-4000 people to the games ground.

-DRUMS

-BAGPIPES

-# ROSE OF ALLENDALE #

-Sidney Nelson

-Miraculously,

-everything went perfectly.

-Good!

-Come on, Wil.

-I can't believe that.

-It might sound silly...

-..but it was one of the most

-adrenaline charged things I've done.

-And with thousands

-of people watching.

-It's bigger than

-Machynlleth's carnival.

-To be honest, I was smiling

-broadly at one point.

-I couldn't hold it in.

-People leant forward, clapped

-and took photos on their phones.

-I'm very proud of what we've done.

-Did you enjoy that?

-Did you enjoy that?

-

-It was awesome.

-You did well. Your marching

-was good, on the right beat.

-Anytime you want to join a pipe

-band, you get free transfer with us.

-Thank you very much.

-You're welcome to join us

-anytime you're here.

-It's time for the main event.

-I can't wait

-for the competing to start.

-I've found a word

-to describe it all, explosion.

-It's a Scottish explosion.

-Something is going on

-in every corner.

-If you want peace,

-you're in the wrong place.

-There's excitement, noise

-and a fantastic atmosphere.

-With the bagpipes playing,

-it's like...

-..it creates tension

-for all the competitions.

-Some people say

-the Highland Games began...

-..when a clan chief looked

-for good workers and supporters.

-Runners to be guides...

-..dancers and musicians

-to entertain in the winter nights...

-..and most of all,

-strong men to be defenders.

-Wil is about to compete.

-It'll be hard work against these.

-Look at the size of these men

-tossing the cabers.

-I'm supposed to have a go.

-But I don't see it happening.

-I'll have a go, but nothing

-special is going to happen.

-These lads travel far, from

-Poland, New Zealand and America.

-It's serious,

-with a 700 prize for the winner.

-What am I doing? I'm going

-to make a real fool of myself.

-They're calling me.

-They're calling me.

-

-You'll be alright.

-If I get this lump off the ground,

-it'll be a miracle.

-Oh, that's not too bad!

-I'm very happy,

-I got it off the ground.

-That's the first thing.

-Getting it over is another. Ooh!

-Wil didn't do so well

-after the first throw.

-But taking part is what counts.

-When I go home,

-I'll get a pole and practise.

-I've caught the bug.

-Hearing some of these giants shout

-shows their obsession to win.

-Next, Wil is going

-to try putting the shot...

-..instructed by Lorne.

-Thank you, Lorne.

-So just a bit of...?

-Lorne wants me to beat

-the American's blue flag.

-Damn it! Disqualified.

-That was a good practice.

-You see the bloke behind me,

-in a cap and gloves?

-He's quite big. He's the American.

-I'm trying to beat him.

-He doesn't know that.

-Between you and me,

-I thought Wil would come last.

-But he's just thrown further than

-the American, with one throw to go.

-Hell! He's gone further again.

-I know what to aim for.

-That blue flag.

-Watch yourselves, guys.

-If he throws this further,

-I'll never hear the end of it.

-Aah!

-This is the big moment.

-The tape measure is out.

-22.7.

-I got the American!

-I was 22.9 and he was 22.7.

-I'm quite chuffed with that.

-Very chuffed.

-The day draws to an end.

-It's time for the awards ceremony.

-You've sheared in shows.

-It becomes something

-you don't want to miss.

-You want to go to the next show.

-They must have drive, to go

-round the various games in Scotland.

-On the way here, I thought the

-Highland Games was a cliche...

-..just to sell tickets

-and postcards...

-..showing the ideal Scottish life.

-After meeting the people on the

-committee and behind the scenes...

-..it's a labour of love.

-It's really in their hearts.

-It's more than a competition.

-There's pride behind it too.

-There's pride behind it too.

-

-Pride is the big word.

-Well, big fella...

-..thank you, actually,

-for letting me take part.

-All of you boys, you've let me join

-in and throw a few things around.

-I enjoyed it.

-I enjoyed it.

-

-I did too. Very good.

-I might be up next year, fully

-trained, so you watch yourself.

-Big winter gym work, you be alright.

-Big winter gym work, you be alright.

-

-Thank you.

-# O Jesus #

-How does it go?

-Not like that.

-Not like that.

-

-No?

-How does it go?

-# O Jesus

-# Let Thy spirit bless

-# This frail one #

-Too low.

-Next time...

-That's enough play. We're on our way

-to much more serious things.

-GUNSHOT

-S4C Subtitles by Gwead

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