If the pipes stirred the soul, the Drakes of Hazard had folk doubled over with laughter.
Shepherd Mark Wylie, who farms 1,000 rough hill acres near Luss, aided by his trusty Border Collie Mist, guided a dozen Indian Runner Ducks through a series of “death- defying” obstacles – bridges, slides and hoops – all while delivering a running commentary packed with wit and charm.
The flightless birds, upright and determined, waddled through their paces in the rain, taking to the downpour like, em, ducks to water, while Mist responded flawlessly to Mark’s whistles and commands. Children squealed with delight as volunteers were drafted in to form part of the course, arms raised as the ducks slalomed between them.
STV personalities Sean Batty and Laura Boyd, this year’s Gathering Chieftains, were spotted among the crowd, with Batty jokingly blamed for the downpour.
It was, quite simply, a quacking good show.
