The morning of April 3, 2004 dawned a bright and beautiful spring morning here in the Pacific Northwest.....I don't know what it was like at your house on that morning, but as our alarm went off, there was a great sense of anticipation for the "kick-off" of our Highland Events Season for the year 2004! The beautiful sunshine was just the "icing on the cake" to begin a wonderful day!
We arrived at the Fair Grounds in Puyallup, Washington to find many of our Cousins
and many old friends already there, with many more arriving throughout the day......
The Tacoma Scots Pipe Band
and McGregor's Honor Guard
officially open the Tartan Day
Celebration, while the enthusiastic
crowd watched the festivities...
"Hark when the night is falling
Hear, hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling down thro' the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.
Towering in galland fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave.
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart forever,
Scotland the Brave!
High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair maiden's eyes.
Far off in sunlit places
Sad are the Scottish faces,
yearning to feel the Kiss of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the Homeland again."
