Moray’s Gala week celebrations end in Fochabers and start at Hopeman

Drumming out the Fochabers Gala

Traditional Gala Weeks for several Moray communities continued their celebrations at the weekend – despite some mixed weather.

Festivities in Hopeman kicked off on Saturday with a youth rock festival. ‘Daisy Rock’ saw several talented individuals and bands – who are set for the larger Wall of Rock festival later this year – take to the stage in the village.

Organiser Vivien Hendry said: “It was a nervous build-up as it is the first time we have tackled such a project – but thanks to the tremendous help we received from Daniel Edwards from the Wall of Rock it all came off superbly well.

“The show was aimed firmly at Under-18s and was very much in the spirit of our local Gala.”

During the day on Saturday the village came alive when the doors opened at 2pm on a Fete that saw 39 Engineers from Kinloss Barracks arrived to show off several of their vehicles, with demonstrations also from the Moray Archery Club and Moray Beekepers.

Also being enjoyed by Hopeman locals and visitors alike was a model railway exhibition, ‘beach doddle’ for pre-school children and a family fun quiz.

While events in Hopeman continue through this week, Gala celebrations in Fochabers came to an close – but not before the week was ‘drummed out’ as hundreds gathered in the village.

A mountain bike race, treasure hunt, strawberry teas and a ‘sing-a-long’ concert were amongst the well supported events held throughout the week with the event rounded off open air celebrations in the village on Sunday.

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