WONDERS OF THE WORLD

[Music] [Music] [Music] Good evening. Welcome to our home. We hope you'll enjoy tonight's wonders of the world. You know, on our travels throughout the world, I've always traveled with my wife and our son, David. You'll be seeing David in the film tonight. Hadla is here in person in order to give her woman's viewpoint. Hello. We've traveled to some interesting places on our most recent trip and we had some thrilling adventures too. We visited and filmed in 11 countries and that means we filmed in over 100 countries of the world up till now. Just to give you an idea of what's in store for you in the months to come, we'll be taking you to Cyan, Mosambique, Bolivia, Russia, and Nepal, just to name a few of the areas we filmed for wonders of the world. Tonight, we're going to take you to the fascinating Isisle of Cree to see the amazing remains of an ancient civilization, and then you'll participate with us in some rollicking dances of the natives of the area. We'll be on our way there right after these special messages. [Music] Tonight you'll hear the sound of the bag pipes once more. You'll also see lots of colorful, colorful dancing. You'll be going to Scotland on this trip. [Music] At the Highland Games, you'll see some rather unusual events, and you'll also visit one of the oldest inhabited homes in all of Scotland. Good evening. Castles like Sterling Castle. This stands on a hill that's 240 ft above the surrounding countryside. Magnificent old castle. It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned. And not too far away from the magnificent fortress is one of the oldest inhabited dwellings in all of Scotland where Mary, Queen of Scots came to live in 1566 with her husband, Lord Darnley. This is Trquair House, a place you really ought to try to visit if you get anywhere near Edinburgh because it's between Edinburgh and Selkerk. Now, it's mentioned way back in 1107, but it really was mostly built, completed in 1664 with an imposing frontage 120 ft long. That old tower dates from 1550. Hodl David entered the main entrance or the entrance used now. Right inside the doorway, we saw a collection of old swords. Apparently, they were kept handy right near the door if the house had to be defended. Right above them were the bells which could be rung from various rooms for the servants. Yes, it said up there blue room, water room. You know, the way the servant would know which bell was ringing is they'd hear a bell, come down here, and the bell would still be jiggling, you might say, or quivering. And there's Lord for Quar's room, Jin's room, the kids room, the priest's room, because these were Catholic people at that time. and they often had priests who had to flee in case some of the authorities came because Catholicism was forbidden in many areas, the dressing room and the high drawing room. Hotland David then started up the narrow staircase that goes up to the top with a wooden door dating from6001 that you pass on the way. This was brought here by its present owners just a few years ago. Up at the top, they finally entered the house proper, you might say. A beautiful, beautiful house, as you'll see in just a moment. As we entered the main drawing room, we were met by the present owner of Traquare House, Mr. Maxwell Stewart, a descendant of the fourth Earl of Traquair. Mr. Stewart, who bears a famous name in Scottish history, was most happy to show us around. Trquair has become a great tourist attraction, and the income from tourism helps maintain the rooms and the beautiful antiques which have been gathered here. Many of the furnishings are the original ones which have never left this house, but some have been gathered here from similar homes which were torn down years ago. And so they give you a little of the flavor of the 1700s. Now they uncovered some old beams in the ceiling under the plaster in 1954. They found some of the old beams dating way back to the 1500s. We then went into what is called, I guess you'd call it, the bathroom. It's really the king's room. Actually, this was just a regular room used for taking baths in. And the situp tub was certainly strange looking to my eyes. Well, they used to use those, David. Alongside, this is obviously a man's room. And the king used to use this room when he came here. They had this beautiful picture, as you can see, where they Well, it's a sort of a shell saucer underneath it. And there was the straightedged razor that was made available to visitors. I don't know if I'd like to use that anymore. You get used to the safety razors, but there they are, the razors of way back in the 1700s. We were then taken to the master bedroom where the big bed had a large canopy over it. I noticed that the inside of the canopy was beautifully embroidered so that whoever awakened in the bed would look straight up at these flowery designs. The headboard section was also intricately covered with flowers and designs. The colors of the original embroidery have been maintained throughout the centuries because the panels were stored in boxes away from light for many years. And so these actually existed in Tquarehouse years ago, centuries ago, and are the original ones here. Now we were then taken into the main dining room. This was an elegant dining room, and the table was set with magnificent silver pieces, some with silver on the outside and gold on the inside. The silver candlesticks and the fine china dated back to the 16 and 1700s. Naturally, since the diners might like to have music as they ate, there was another harps accord in this room. And the room itself was quite beautiful. The old wallpaper had been restored and the paintings all around were of former residents and distinguished people who had come to Traquare House. Traquare House near Edinburgh. We then had a chance to go over to sort of a commercial area, you might say. Here they sell in the truckare house articles of Scottish production. Mrs. Michael Stewart herself takes care of the sales of the Scottishmade goods to the visitors and she showed me some of the wonderfully soft woolins of Scotland and Scotland is famous for. I also examined a fine dark blue sweater. Much to the great excitement of a Stewart's little puppy which was at my feet. That's what you call great excitement. There you are. That's their puppy. Well, anyway, they have marvelous things for sale. They're all made in Scotland. And this helps to maintain the truck warehouse. And you we met said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. M Stewart again and then we left. But just before we left the area, David was interested in the tremendous gate, the famous bear gate, which used to be the main entrance of the house. I learned that these gates have been locked for over 200 years and never used. According to legend, they will only be unlocked when a steward again sits on the throne. Yes, that's the bear gate. The bears are stride of the uh shields there. And David tried to No, no, they're locked. He tried to open it, but it just couldn't be opened. And someday they say they'll open it again when the steward sits on the throne. Now from here we went out through the beautiful beautiful countryside of Scotland heading for our next destination which was to be near a place called Larn Head. Now at Laharnhead groups of people had gathered there for a once a year ceremony takes place just once a year. These gatherings are known as Highland gatherings and they are usually attended by hundreds and even thousands of spectators who are anxious to experience the excitement and color of the Highland games which are a part of the festivities. Young and old alike, everyone anxiously awaits the opening moment which takes place at 1:00 and which here is marked by the arrival of a proudly kilted band of backpipers and drummers. [Music] Now, these are the pipes and drums of the seventh battalion Argyle and Southerntherland Highlanders. Now, the Clan McGregor is having a clan gathering, and they're following behind the Highlanders. The Highlanders make a couple of tours around the athletic field, and here's what it sounds like. I love the sound of the bag pipes. I'm not Scottish, but I just love them just the same. Here's what they sound like. [Music] It just seems to me that the scurling of the bag pipes should send the blood coursing through every man's veins. Off he they go then down to the end of the field. They make several turns like this. And then the Highland games are going to be starting in just a few moments and off they go. Now we had a chance then to see some of the people who were gathered nearby wearing their kilts, of course. There on the right you see the president of the games. On the left is a wonderful character. He's 82 years old. He's been at 67 of these Highland games at Laharnhead and he is going to play the bag pipes the entire afternoon for all of the dances. He's wearing his sporand. That's that little purse. Now there's his forand. That's the purse. The girls do not wear a sport. One of the contestants was to be this little blonde charmer. She was dressed in the traditional girls costume for dancers. She really didn't have too much time to post for us because in a few moments the old piper started his tunes and the dance competition was on with a little girl and two other older contestants performing a Highland fling. [Music] Now, in the Highland Fling, I learned, it's really interesting. An important part of the judging is the spirit of the dancer as well as the technique. And I'm sure that little girl was getting plenty of points for her spirit. She's having a wonderful time. You have to look like you're having a good time and be having a good time. [Music] And then they stopped and that was the first competition. Now you know they have about 60 different dance groups performing there. 60 different people and we'll just show you a few. Here came the next event. They were taking a sort of file and making the end of a long stick rough. Now that stick something like a broomstick was inserted in a long in a weight and then they started to toss this. Contestants would then throw this weight on a long stick as far as they could in a typical Scottish version of the hammer throw. While these men were throwing the hammer, the next dance competition had begun and we watched as the Shanas was performed. This is sometimes like a fine ballet. Now, here's an interesting fact about this Dan that Shaun truis means torn trousers and it actually came in as a dance of joy when the kilts were once more made legal in Scotland for many years. They were the sign of rebellion and so they were illegal. But when the kilts were brought back again, they then developed this dance called the Sha Truist torn trousers. Notice how it speeds up towards the end. [Music] Now, the next dance was to follow in a little while, but here's a little girl who could hardly wait for it. And so, she's having a wonderful time learning to dance, although she's too small. Now, we'll continue our trip in just a few moments after these special messages. And there you are. You have you throw the sheath of grain over a bar, which they raise higher and higher. Now, it may look easy. If you've been a farmer, you'll say, "Well, I could do that." You probably could, but it isn't as easy as it looks as this young man as compared to eh. No, sir. You see, it has to go over sideways. And there you are. Now, we'll stop the bar and see if they can throw it over. Now, you and Cameron was more or less the host. Here he is. He has an inn right nearby. And he's a very famous local athlete. Uh, and even he can miss. Even the champions can miss. So, he stopped the bar and said, "All right, at you, and here's another chance for you. We want you to regain your prestige. And here's how you should throw it over." But the winner threw it way over the top when it was way up near the top. And he was a gentleman, as you can see, in his 50s. Look at that. And there is the prize winner. Now, at this point, the next event was about getting ready to start. And that was some more dancing. This was the Highland Fling being done by the men. Now, they're wearing the beautiful costumes. The jacket of the young man on the left is red. The one on the right is blue. They're carrying the Sporan. Sporan means a purse. And only the men are supposed to wear these in the dances. I know a lot of the young people here in the United States of Scottish descent find that the girls wear these too, but they're supposed to be worn just by the men. And if you want to know why they carry a sporin for their money and everything, there are no pockets in kilts. And this is the famous Highland Fling. [Music] Now, the next dance was then ready to start, but we had other things we wanted to see first. And this was an unusual event where you tossed a weight over a bar. I learned this stone weighs 22 lb. So, it's quite an accomplishment to toss this heavy stone a great distance if someone was doing Yes. But that's not the stone you saw there, David. That was the heavy bar of 56 lbs that they are throwing. The stone that youard heard they're going to throw is the next event. These men are throwing a weight of 56 pounds in weight and they throw it 13 feet over their head. Now look at this. Over their Oh my. The next event was to be the stone. You know the So there is you and Cameron again. Now after throwing a 56-lb like that weighed over 13 ft high. It was nothing to throw these little stones that David was telling you about. Little stones. I said, "My goodness, they weigh over 20 lb." And you and Cameron picked up one of them to show us what it was like. Because here he is tossing it. You've heard of tossing the shot or shot pudding, but look at this. This is a stone that they're throwing. And so these are rugged men. You may see them dancing in the kilts and wonder, my goodness, they're dancing in kilts. Don't you ever mistake a Scotsman for not having plenty of gumption there. They have these Highland games. Now, the next event was a rather unusual one. This is the competition of the Pipers. It was taking place in a corner of the field. The three judges are sitting there not looking at the contestant. They're just listening to him. They don't care what he looks like and they march around like this playing these tunes. There's David helping on the recording. I'm often assigned to recording the sounds for films which we make since my father is filming and my mother may be off taking still photos or reloading the cameras for my father. [Music] [Applause] [Music] And then he saluted and then he was given his mark for that. Now off to the side you and Cameron was talking to one of the you might say non-commissioned officers of that military group the pipes and drums of the seventh battalion Argyle and Southerntherland Highlanders and he was going to compete too. time was ready for him to compete. And so he heard that they were free now. The judges were ready for him. And look at that wonderful costume he's wearing. He went over it. And here's what it sounded like as he competed. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] In the background, you can hear the announcements being made over the public address system sometimes. And there are the judges listening carefully. Now, next came this event. They were tossing a hammer. I guess you'd call it tossing a hammer. A heavy weight. And all I could think of when I looked at it closely is that it looked like a ball and chain from the olden days. They used to tie this around people's ankles. Maybe that's where the Scots who got out of prison said, "Well, I'm just going to practice tossing these balls and chains like this. This is it." And there's skirts, you know, their their kilts swirling there as they turn around. Here is a gentleman who had won that other event. This was the same man in red kills who had won the sheath throwing earlier. And then the music for the next event started. This was a sword dance. And one of the contestants was once more the little blonde girl we had met earlier. And that same 82year-old Piper was playing. He played the entire afternoon for every one of the dances. There were about 60 dances being put on. And we're showing you about four or five to give you an idea. But this is the sword dance. We've shown you the Highland fling, the Sha Truis, and now this is the sword dance. [Music] Now, you'll notice the sword dance music gets rather fast towards the end. It ends on a very fast note and then we as we come back to the old piper, it'll be just the time for the dance to come to its conclusion and we'll really sort of speed up things there. [Music] Here it goes. [Music] and they have had their applause. Unfortunately, our little blonde friend did not win this event as we saw the winners come out, but she must have gotten a for effort. The winners were carrying flags. The white flag for first prize, the blue for second, and the red for third. It then was time for for an event that everyone wants to see at the Highland game. Uh we had seen it before. We've seen it in Vancouver. We've seen it in Lust, but this always intrigues us. It's the tossing of the cable. Now cber actually means uh a big stick. But when you're talking about a big stick in Scotland, you're talking about a I can only describe it as a miniature telegraph pole. Now, this is a pine, usually it's a pine wood log, and they are going to lift those pine logs into their cupped hand, run forward, and toss it so that it goes end over end. Now, I know you think it can't happen because look at the size of that pole. And the young fellas who are learning how to toss the caper are having a bit of a difficult time. Now, watch this. He's going to try to toss it end over end. It has to land on the other side and then flip over in order to be a toss. Be care well. Let's try it again. Now, I I can't imagine how they can even lift it. Three men had to carry it in. One man is going to lift it by himself onto his shoulder, cup his hands underneath it, and then try to toss it forward. It It seems unbelievable every time I see it. Be care sideways. That doesn't count. That isn't a good toss. Let's try once more. Here's another young fellow trying to learn. He's going eh. No sir. But there were experts there. And you know they can toss those cabers up to 40 ft. Watch this. This is a good flip. It'll go end over end in the right direction. Look at that. I don't know how they as I say I can't even imagine how they carry it. No less toss it. And yet and the the older man, the same fellow with the red kilts who had won the other events. He won with a beautiful toss. And this is one of his tosses. Now watch him. He's been doing this for years. And so here's your tossing the caper right over. And he made it. Well, the Highland Games were coming to an end. We had a chance then to see the Argyle and Southerntherland Highlanders as they left. Here's what it looked and sounded like as they marched off. [Music] Well, they'll be dancing for hours, but that's all time will permit us to see on this program. Now, we'll continue to film dances from all over the world and record the music for you on our future programs. We'll be back in just a few moments to tell you something about what you can expect in the future. Thank you for visiting the Isisle of Cree with us tonight. On our next episode on Wonders of the World, we'll take you to another interesting part of the world. Would you say good night to our friend Padla? Yes, certainly. Good night, everyone. We'll see you when next we present Wonders of the World.