.The sound of bagpipes bellowed through the streets of Fuengirola as the majestic Scots step foot on Spanish soil, sounding their entry into one of the most important world stages for culture. Flying the flag for Alba was the Royal ladies, bodyguards, Piper, Celtic dancers, Picts and kilted models…all with one thing on their minds…to make the Scottish contingent the most successful country visited by the one and a half million visitors in four days. Like attracts like, as other visiting Scots flocked to the Scottish cassetta giving their homage and to gab in the old tongue. Waving Saltires and Lion Rampants adorned the street accompanied with Royal banners, pipe music and the smell of home made haggis in tempting the Spanish and other visiting foreign taste buds.

As the troops marched up the main street of Fuengirola, tens of thousands mobbed either side of the streets, waving and cheering in acceptance of our Scottish mini invasion. Non-stop photographers snapped away constantly throughout the week and the Artizans were only too happy to pose and chat with the crowd. Newspaper photographers and interviewers mingled in with Artizans and the cherry on the cake was live Fuengirola TV interviewing the Artizans, beamed out to all of Spain, a great coup for the Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre.

On one of the days the Artizans were invited to a local school for teenagers and about four hundred kids showed up looking forward to their visit from Scotland. As usual the visit was a success and we would like to thank the kids and teachers for their invite and their warm welcome. A very special visitor, the Mayoress of Fuengirola popped in to the Scottish Cassetta for some pictures and a refreshing drink on a very warm day and of course the paparazzi were there in force.

On our free days a visit to our Belgian friend Big Dean’s family bar at the beach was called for, where we thanked our loyal friend from the Artizans for all his work past and present. A few of the group visited the nearby medieval Muslim built castle not far from the hotel, surrounded by stunning sea views and snapping some photos for the Heritage Centre site. All in all it was a fantastic effort from our team who were great ambassadors for our country and should be very proud of their achievements and for the way they carried themselves as Scots abroad.

HAIL THE ARTIZANS!!

HAIL THE BRUCE !!

By Paul Hunter