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This is easily the most inconsequential blue flag I have ever earned. Put it this way - you would not want to make a special bagging trip from Perth for this one. As it was, I had spent the night kipping on the sofa at Barrie and Colleen's place in Montrose after the three of us had been to see Big Country at Montrose Town Hall on the Steeltown 30th anniversary tour.
A few beers were had chez Barrie and Colleen before we headed out to their local for a few more jars. We bumped into a certain Stuart Maxwell (a.k.a. Gable Gable End) before grabbing a couple of pizzas and heading back to the house. More beers and then off to the gig in time to catch the latter part of the warm up act by the name of Amber Road.
Big Country soon took to the stage and proceeded to play the Steeltown album start to finish, before launching into a glittering array of tracks - In a Big Country, Look Away, Fields of Fire, Harvest Home, Chance......... Derek Forbes even taunted and wound up the audience with the opening bass riff of Waterfront!
After Bruce said good night and name checked all the band members (even Stuart and Tony got a mention
), it was back to the hoose for ......... more beer and a listen to the Steeltown digitally remastered collectors CD.
I've got to say that after all that, Hill of Garvock was a bit of an anti-climax. It was all I could do to be bothered taking my trainers off and actually putting hill walking boots on. I didn't even bother changing out of my jeans! And not even the legendary viscious cows of Garvock put in an appearance.
Laurencekirk from the car park off the B1920
Start of the long, brutal ascent.......
Onto the plateau......
Into the Death Zone.......
The Top of the ....... OK, the highest point in the immediate vicinity of Laurencekirk!
Base Camp ....... OK then, Laurencekirk!
Up the spiral staircase to the true summit!