The sun shone on Glamis Castle on Sunday as it welcomed a special visitor to the Strathmore Highland Games.
Astronaut Colonel Alvin Drew who recently cemented his place in the history books by becoming the 200th man to walk in space travelled all the way from the USA to take up the role as co-chieftain of the games along with his long-time friend Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore.
Mary confirmed her status as a “cool” granny had been firmly cemented when the former air force officer left a message on her answering machine while aboard the space shuttle Discovery’s final mission earlier this year.
Col Drew, whose message will now be played to youngsters at Tayside Space School of which the Dowager Countess is patron, told the assembled crowd that he was delighted to be at the “beautiful and brilliant” Glamis Castle for the annual event.
He added, “Yesterday, I thought it would be a miracle if the sun came out today but you pulled it off. I am really enjoying myself.”
Ben Duncan (22) of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards composed a special tune for the occasion at the request of games chairman Charlie Murray, which he duly played on the bagpipes to herald Col Drew’s arrival.
Later Col Drew told The Courier, “This is my very first Highland games but what a Highland games they are! It has been brilliant to finally experience this.
“This is my third time in Scotland but I had never been to a games before. I absolutely love the country, though, and I come whenever I get the chance. I’ll actually be back next month to help promote Tayside Space School.
“It was a real honour to be asked to be co-chieftain of the games with the dowager countess. She has been so supportive of all our projects in the area and always seems to be doing something to help us out.”
The friendship between the pair was forged via Kirriemuir man John Smith, a former NASA security adviser who is a key figure in Tayside Space School.
Mary was in fact invited by Col Drew to the launch of the Discovery but received her special message as she was unable to attend.
Yesterday, she said, “I have 11 grandchildren and they all think it’s very cool that I have a message from space. I think I must be the only granny in Scotland who has a message on my answer phone from an astronaut.
“It was all a bit of a joke, really. When I said I couldn’t attend the launch, he said he would phone me and I suggested he leave a message not thinking that he actually would!
“He was delighted when I asked if he could come and be co-chieftain of the games with me.”
As well as the special piece of music, there was another surprise for Col Drew when he was given a limited edition print by one of the area’s most famous artists.
Aberfeldy man Ray Will, formerly of Arbroath, designed the pictorial representations of Tayside as part of an appeal to raise money for Ninewells Hospital in Dundee some years ago.
And although there are very few of the prints left, it was decided that the arrival of Col Drew was a fitting occasion to give one away.
Mr Will, who is also a professional baritone singer, attended the games and had the pleasure of meeting Col Drew in person.
He said, “It was a real honour. It’s not every day you meet a real, live astronaut though he said to me it wasn’t every day you meet an artist who is also a baritone!”