AN ESTIMATED 50,000 people from around the world tuned in to watch this year’s Braw Lads’ Gathering.

Due to COVID restrictions, the festival took place virtually.

The programme of events – which started on Sunday, June 27 – included videos of the history of the Kirking of the Braw Lads and Lasses and the Braw Lads’ Sports, along with music from the Town Band and Ex-Service Pipe Band.

On Monday there was an insight and history of Lindean Ride Out with past footage and images.

Then, the following evening, there was an Ex-Braw Lads’ and Lasses’ virtual dinner, hosted by ex-Braw Lad Lewis Playfair.

On Wednesday, past-president Gordon Keddie presented an insight into the ride out to Torwoodlee and caught up with the current Laird of Torwoodlee, James Pringle.

A virtual Braw Lads’ Overseas Civic Reception compèred by Neil Kimber also took place and was shown on the following day.

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Past-president Colin Playfair introduced the virtual Braw Lads’ Investiture Concert on Friday while junior vice-chairman Jodie Millar sat down with current principals Greg Kelly, Kimberley O’May, Robbie Lowrie and Nicola Laing to find out their thoughts and feelings of the night before and the Braw Lads’ Day itself. During the week, the Ex-Braw Lads’ and Lasses’ Association paid tribute to Gala’s first principals by laying wreaths at their graves.

The wreath was laid at Henry Polson’s grave by the 50th-year attendants, Edward Czajka and John Hume, accompanied by chairman of the Association, Lewis Playfair.

The wreath was laid at Hazel Gardiner’s grave by the 50th-year Braw Lass, Eileen McAllan, accompanied by Ex-Braw Lasses Louise Brown, Suzanne Henry and Lana Thomson.

In addition, the president of the Braw Lads’ Gathering, Bill White, laid a wreath at the war memorial with the chairman of the Braw Lads’ Gathering Executive Council, Craig Whitehead and Lewis Playfair.

This was in remembrance of all Galaleans who laid down their lives in both world wars and in other conflicts – and also those who have lost their lives due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Other events taking place this year included the fancy dress competition, which was judged by the principals.

The winners were:

Junior groups - 1st Guardians of the Gala Day; 2nd Great Gala Tapestry.

Junior singles - 1st Rose & Schnitzel; 2nd Laird & Beau; 3rd Princess Jasmine does the mixing of the roses.

Adult groups - 1st Mad Hatters Tea Party; 2nd Braw Lads’ First Swimming Gala; 3rd Harry Potter.

Adult singles - 1st Indiana Jones; 2nd Gladiator; 3rd Lady Who Lunches.

Family/mixed groups - 1st Inside Out; 2nd Craigpark Superheroes; 3rd Gala Day Cheer Squad.

The winning entries from the ‘Art and Essay Competition’ will be on display in Douglas Bridge for a week.

The events culminated on Saturday with the Virtual Braw Lads’ Day for 2021 and viewers were invited to join chairman Craig Whitehead; president Bill White; principal marshal Jodie Millar; chief marshal Sandy Blacklock and town crier Alastair Waddell along with past presidents John Gray, David Romanis, Andrew Johnston, Colin Playfair and Gordon Keddie.