Our next stop, on the following day was the village of Kincraig, where we watched a sheepdog demonstration. These dogs are the very smart, athletic, and energetic border collies and we watched Ian Ross, the sheepherder, put them through their paces. There were lots of dogs, including some beautiful and friendly puppies, and I got to try shearing a sheep and also feeding a little one. The sheepherder has been a tenant on this farm for over 50 years, which means he does not own either the sheep or the land and is only allowed to live there by the landlord’s largess. He told us none of his five children were interested in following in his footsteps, and I wondered where he would go when his working days were done.
Happiness is a warm puppy.
We ended our day in the legendary St. Andrews, staying at the Old Course Hotel on the famous golf course. After a very comfortable night, where we toured part of the golf course, ending up in front of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club behind the 18th green. It was founded in 1754. A person can golf there, but you have to be invited and have a handicap of 6 or less.
After exiting the famous greens, we visited the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. It was built in 1158 and became the center of the medieval Catholic Church in Scotland. The largest church to have been built in Scotland, it fell into disuse and ruin after Catholic mass was outlawed during the 16th-century Scottish Reformation. There was a lot of mist that morning which made our photos eerie.
After the cathedral, we walked around the medieval town, along the waterfront, and saw the ruins of St Andrews Castle, a bishop’s palace, a fortress and a state prison during its 450-year history. Today it is just a picturesque ruin, situated on a rocky promontory overlooking Castle Sands and the North Sea. It was the main residence of the bishops of the cathedral and was first built at the end of the 12th century. In 1592, it was abandoned following the abolition of bishops in Scotland, after which it partially collapsed, leaving behind the remains of the outer walls and the castle entrance.
Later that morning we visited St. Andrews University. The students had just arrived for the semester and wore their typical red gowns, lending a lot of color to the streets and the university quads. Whether the gown is worn on both shoulders, one shoulder, or no shoulders indicates what year the student is. Both shoulders is a first year. Second-year students wear the gown slightly back off their shoulders. Third-year students wear the gown either fully off the right shoulder if studying science or the left shoulder if studying arts. Fourth-year students (magistrands) wear the gown off both shoulders, across the elbows.
From the St. Andrew’s University Newsletter
Great shots Noelle.
Thanks, John. Scotland is very photogenic!
So true.
The sheepdog trials are all fied, none are ever found guilty. You didn’t mention whether you were invited to play a round at St Andrews or what your handicap is? Please don’t say your husband. Huge Hugs.
Sadly, David, I do not play golf. When he was much, much younger, my husband’s handicap might have been good enough, though! Loved those dogs!
Fabulous! I’m adding those to my list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing your holidays with us.
Almost done! Going over everything we did makes me tired all over again!
I would be interessted in learning the training process of sheep dogs. I wonder how long it takes and how much is instinctual. I’ve watched my share of golf tournaments at the legendary St. Andrews, not that my handicap is anywhere near to qualifying.
Interestingly, Mr. Ross had a puppy that chased the sheep around without effect. When someone asked him if the dog would be any good, he said of all the pups, this one would work out. He just seemed to know what makes a good sheepdog. From what I heard, it could take several years, but those dogs were fixated on him. And he clearly loves them.
My husband has also watched golf from St. Andrews and there were a LOT of golfers staying at the hotel with us. Not cheap though, to play there.
Lovely misty phots and what a funny tradition with the gown wearing.
Isn’t it? Other universities used to have the gown tradition, too, but apparently St. Andrews is the only place where it still happens.
A fascinating post, Noelle, thanks for sharing. Love the photos as well. I do wonder how uncomfortable it must be to have the gowns hanging off the shoulders. And why and when the tradition began.
No idea of how the gown hanging developed but it does signal to the other students what year you are! Other universities had a gown tradition, too, but no longer. There is also something called a pier walk – down a concrete pier that stretches out into the bay – that the first years do.
I love these pictures, Noelle. I went to a sheep shearing event last spring. I had never seen one.
Mr. Ross grabbed a sheep, swung his whistle back and forth in front of its eyes, and the sheep just stopped struggling and calmed down so he could sheer it – using hand held shears, not electric. An amazing demonstration.
Wow – it was a lot different at the one I went to. Actually quite alarming the way the sheep shearer flipped the sheep onto its back – it didn’t look like it wanted to do that at all. That said, once it was on its back it was relaxed, but definitely not before.
Somehow waving the whistle in front of the sheep immediately calmed it down. Magic!