Welcome to Haddington

Welcome to High Street Haddington earlier this evening, the main town in East Lothian that is hosting one of the main events for Scotland's Homecoming Year.
If it had been better weather it would have been a great night. However the weather was so typically Scottish and was a huge dampener on the event, freezing cold, wet and windy. So what should / could have been a bustling market town outdoor concert turned into a really deserted rock stage . We were out numbered by the emergency services staff and portable public toilets

Met up with SheilaM full of good intentions for a multiple blip day as there was a lot planned nearby courtesy of Scotland's Homecoming Celebrations

We were looking forward to the planned activites for the Saltire Trail for our national flag - the St Andrew's Cross

'Golden Lions' army parachute team arrive with flag into Athelstaneford.
Horse riders with flag leave church at Athelstaneford on route to St Mary's Kirk Haddington, on arrival the choir were to perform outside.
Performances commence on The Saltire stage in High Street, Haddington with FRANCO- upbeat pop rock band playing cover favourites.
HUGH MacDIARMID's HAIRCUT - the best of traditional and ceilidh tunes
TIGER CHANG -Young band from Haddington and Musselburgh playing refreshing and classy original songs
BLUEFLINT- Gorgeous old-timey country harmonies from Deborah and Clare with their band.
And Then There Were 4 - Dynamic and exciting piping from young East Lothian outfit.
STANLEY ODD - Edinburgh's sensational new hip-hop/rap live band
ABBATASTIC! - Live tribute to the Swedish pop
Then -
St Mary's Church Scottish Ceremony begins hosted by Phil Cunningham with guests including Fish, Karen Matheson and the address to the flag by the Rt Hon Alex Salmond First Minister.
Torchlight procession to the Mercat Cross, Haddington.
The First Minister arrives with flagbearer, proceeded by Haddington, North Berwick and Prestonpans & District Pipe Bands
First Minister raises 'The Saltire' at the Mercat Cross stage.
DOUGIE MACLEAN sings 'Caledonia' on 'The Saltire' main stage
CAPERCAILLIE - Multi-platinum global stars of celtic music return to Haddington for a rousing finale. www.capercaillie.co.uk

I have to take my hat off to everyone who was involved in the planning and organising for the event from council to emergency services to participants in the concert. They stuck it out - we didn't - we headed home after an hour. Full of good intentions to go back at 19.45 to see the First Minister raise the Saltire Flag up the new flag pole on the right of the pic, but by the time we got into the house it was so cosy and warm, the decision to go back out again and face the cold was an easy one - nup!