Ballater in Royal Deeside Aberdeenshire saw ladies arrive from all over the United Kingdom to join us at our annual “Right Royal Weekend”.
The weekend began with an exquisite three course dinner at the Rothesay Rooms. With over 36 ladies enjoying “The Big Sleep Over” in various local establishments.
As the night sky turned into the new day it was time for the greatly anticipated main event Glad Rags and Tiaras. It wasn’t long before the sound of chatter and laughter resounded round the Delnadamph estate, Her Majesty the Queens private estate. The ladies sporting sparkling tiaras of all different shapes and sizes, perfectly perched on hats and ear protectors, all glittering in the morning’s sunshine. Fifty-seven ladies grouped according to their ability from never held a gun before to the more experienced all enjoying a morning of clay shooting under instruction. Woops of joy, cheering and clapping as the clays were smashed could be heard around the heather glad hills. Having built up an appetite in the fresh Strathdon air the local butcher H. M Sheridans served a freshly prepared delicious BBQ.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, BASC, sponsored the fun competition “Queen of the clay’s” with fabulous glass trophies as prizes. Barbara Eckersley triumphed in the experienced group with runner up Chelsea King, Emma Shanks was high gun with Micaiah Jakeman runner up in the beginner’s section. The drawing of the raffle signalled the end of a spectacular weekend. With Irene Macleod the lucky winner of the star prize, a bronze gilt Firebird brooch by the world-renowned engraver and lifelong supporter of the charity Malcolm Appleby. The event raising an impressive total of £1,470 for Children 1st.
