We have just returned from 11 superb days attending the Aviles Interceltic Festival in the region of Asturias, Northern Spain. To say we had a ball is an understatement. The schedule wasn’t too taxing allowing us plenty time to bond and have fun. Quite a lot of the events started at 11pm, so it was late nights and late mornings for all. The younger members of the band stayed in the school dorms with delegations from Ireland, Wales, France and Galicia and by all accounts they had a great time, partying, playing with water pistols (more on that later) and putting make-up on the boys.

The more sensible (ha ha) members stayed in the Villa d’Aviles which was very comfortable and central. Food was provided in a restaurant behind the main square – Plaza de Carlos Lobo and we were stuffed with the amount given. Bottles of wine were dotted evenly on the tables until by the end of the meal Brian seemed to have most of them in front of him – empty!

The first night the band just played at a few venues on our way up to the Plaza de Espana, where we met the other delegations and played in a parade to the Plaza de Carlos Lobo. Each delegation was presented to the audience. A few drinkies later we had renamed two of our party Virgil and Brains.  Ally took the role of Virgil due to the fact he was holding a bottle of beer in each hand and was swaying as if he had string attached to his arms.  Steve was named Brains – for the life of me I don’t know why!!!!!!!!!

On the second day we had a mid-day parade and then went to a place called ‘Las Vegas’ at night. We were late back and a bit anxious because we were playing with the Chilli Pipers at midnight and hadn’t met them to practice. However, all went well with Stuart Cassells tuning our pipes in record time, 5/10 minute practice and then 25 minutes into their set we were on. Footage of us playing with the band can be seen on the Spain page or by clicking on this link ‘Culter Pipe Band’ It was a huge honour playing with them and there was a few tears as band members left the stage… aye us, not the Chilli’s. We had a few drinks and plenty banter with them afterwards. They are a great bunch of guys. Looking forward to seeing them at Cowal.

Sunday 20th took us to Salinas where we took part in a Union of Celtic Waters.   Fiona carried the flag and Claire tentatively carried the clay pot containing ‘North Sea Water’.  Brian got drenched, up to his waist, trying to fill an Irn Bru bottle at Aberdeen Beach.  It travelled all the way to Spain in our container.  It was a very impressive ceremony.

Monday 21st we paraded to the Plaza de Espana and 6 members of the band were invited into the Town Hall to meet the Lady Mayoress, where gifts were exchanged.  In the evening Karen did a dance workshop in Plaza de Carlos where she had everyone up on their feet doing Scottish Dance.

On Tuesday 22nd we had an hour long performance on the main stage, during which time Karen and Lisa did a few dances accompanied by Mike.

Wednesday, we played for 5 minutes in Les Meanes and then 5 minutes in Centro Cemercial El Atrio marching up the Pza Espana onto the Pza Carlos Lobo.  Food was at 9.30pm and then at 11pm a 15 minute performance on stage.

On Thursday we were invited to a bar to play for free beer.  As you can imagine most of us went! Then at 11pm Karen and Lisa danced for 15 minutes accompanied by Mike and Calum.

It rained heavily on Friday night so the planned parade from the square to the Sports Centre (I have never seen one so big) was cancelled, however, we went straight to the Sports Centre where PM Brains had the band marking time as they played and it was a rare sight seeing the kilts swing back and fore.  Our Chef ‘Dug’ arrived today.  He spent time in the kitchens preparing Scottish Food with chefs from other countries.  I think he had a good, but very busy, time, spending 13 hours in the restaurant the first day.  He still managed to join us for a few bevvys!

Saturday we had a free day so decided to spend the day canoeing.  Brilliant we thought!  Five hours later, losing the will to live, battered and bruised (Lisa), drenched from falling in (Lisa again) and getting squirted by the water pisols, we saw Calum call us ashore.  Parts of it were fun (after I stopped crying- sorry, after Fiona and I stopped crying!) but be warned if you ever do it, watch out for the rapids and all the other canoes – there were hundreds upon hundreds of the things!  Big drinks were required as we watched the Tannahill Weavers on stage back in Aviles.

Our last day.  Each group paraded down a different street to meet in the Plaza Espana.  At 7.30pm every participant had to make as much noise as possible – ‘A Celtic Battle Cry’ – and yes, it was noisy.  Connor  took the flag onto the stage representing Scotland and a bonny sight he was too.  (He was also the best behaved member in the whole group, kindly sharing his sweeties after dinner).  His dad Brian took to the stage to read a text in ‘Doric’ starting with ‘Fit Like’!  He was the best speaker by far with his voice booming round the square.  The band played and then each nation mixed with each other to teach their traditional dances.  That was a hoot seeing the boys trying to teach the ‘Gay Gordons’ to other countries.  The night finished at 10pm with us all heading off to the restaurant for some grub.  The container was loaded and everyone went to bed.  Well not quite………. some just arrived home in time to pack their cases and catch the bus to the airport at 8am!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A huge thanks to our Pipe Majors Mike and Steve and the band members for great performances.  Also to the Fia Esbardu for being excellent hosts, Joe and his family for their guidance and last,  but by no means least to the Red Hot Chilli Pipers for inviting us to attend what turned out to be a fantastic week.

Here’s to our next trip – invitations welcome!

Take a look at Flckr to see photos of our trip and watch the video below!