Assyrian army

Assyrian army

Sunday, 20 August 2017

Return to Fort George - Amazing Ages

The last time I was in Fort George was in 1971. Landrovers, Bedford trucks and 3 25 pounders. We got there at night in the pouring rain. To be told 'Oh, didn't know you were coming, you're not booked in. We haven't got anywhere for you to stay - you can camp over there if you like.' Pointing to an area of foot deep grass. So pitching tents in the dark. Of course, OTC doesn't teach you to put the tents up. Found I was the only one in the sub unit that knew how to,,, so basically put up half adozen tents by myself, in the dark, in the rain...

OK, bit different this time. Still a few bouts of rain, but this time it was to visit an event called 'Amazing Ages'. People dressed up as Vikings, Medieval,Covenanters, Napoleonics,  WW1 and WW2 , etc..

Plus a look around the fort and it's museum, listening to live folk music (in Gaelic). And 3 people dropping in by parachute.

A pretty good day all round - even saw some dolphins swimming around in the Murray Firth.

The fort is pretty big so I'll just add a photo of the model at the entrance.

There is a museum with assorted weapons, uniforms, medals, etc.
 
 

Plus assorted weapons around the grounds.
 
 

The event itself included re-enactors, etc.
 
 
 

And an archaeological  tent.

Live music (in Gaelic).

And finally the parachute drop.

Excellent day even with the rain.

8 comments:

  1. So a good trip there! By the way we had a saying in the US Army Artillery, "If it aint raining , we aint training" so I feel your pain! Glad it all turned out well....)

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    1. Yes, it was fun... best memory of that OTC exercise was in Stirling - two of the unit had been accepted for the Guards and the Territorial SAS - so of course they had to argue about which was best. So they decided to challenge each other rond the assault course. Day before, SAS lad broke his arm - but still insisted on the challenge. He won.

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  2. You had actual tents! Well.....

    Looks like a good outing.

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  3. Great stuff. Tents....?

    Luxury! When I were a lad...

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  4. Yeah, but I was a lad before you were a lad. Must have ben a recession or something...

    In terms of make do, well, we were still using 25 pounders in 1971!

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  5. My school C.C.F had a 25 pounder round the back of the science labs in the middle 1970s.

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    1. Wonder when they were finally pensioned off? Probably when the ammo ran out = the 'proper' army used 105s by then. My own 'enlistment' entitled the unit to 3 rounds a year to practice with!

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