Welcome to the Buckie Festival Programme for Thursday 28th June 2007

Hello there!

Finally this page has sprung to life, and not a moment too soon with Buckie Festival reaching it's climax on Thursday 28th of June! We're hoping for a scorching evening with a beautiful sunset, however the forecast ahead for the next few days isn't entirely promising, so wrap up warm and don't forget your most thermallly insulated hat. Tempreatures aren't too far off the March average at the moment... in what I'd like to call a very disappointing start to the summer!

However, there isn't much we can do about that, but what we can tell you is that things are hotting up with the performance at least.

The Moray Firth Flotilla will make it's way into Buckie at some point during the day, and to celebrate we've got a very exciting line up ahead of us. The show kicks off at Ian Johnston Park (see the maps below), near Buckie High School...

4.00 PM - Ian Johnstone Park
Live bands and entertainment as the performers suit up in their costumes for the parade.

7.30 PM - The Performance
The parade sets off from Ian Johnston Park and makes its way through the streets of Buckie until it reaches the Ambulance Bay near the harbour (see map below). There are SIX performances telling the story along the route. The parade will stop and the performance will unravel before your very eyes! So follow the show!

9.30 PM - All wrapped up!
The Buckie Festival 2007 performance should be all wrapped up around 9.30 PM, and ends at the beach on Bank Street near the Ambulance Bay.The fireworks / fire sculptures / boat pyrotechnics are seamlessly part of the battle and celebrations - not as a separate display.

If you are travelling by car please park your vehicle taking other drivers into consideration. Don't park on corners, don't block the drive ways of near-by houses, or jam up junctions. If possible please park as far away as you can from Ian Johnston Park as you can manage. This years parade will see over 500 participants and their friends and families gathering for the show, so it makes sense to walk from your house!

This years Buckie Festival leaves from...

Ian Johnston Park along...

West Cathcart Street...

Along West Street...

Along Railway Terrace

Back onto Church Street...

Onto Cluny Square...

Down North High Street

Then down towards Bank Street near to the Ambulance Bay

 

You can either follow the parade by foot, or wait for the parade to pass for the best view by heading straight to Cluny Square and picking a prime spot!

 

There will be a number of stewards that are easily identifiable, and Grampian Police will be in attendance to assist with temporary road closures and traffic management. If you have any problems or there are any emergencies of any kind, please kindly inform a steward for assistance.

 

We hope you enjoy Buckie Festival 2007. A lot of hard work and effort has gone into pulling off this show. Please take time to complete the Audience Questionnaire on the "News" page. Follow the link and tick the boxes and fill in the blanks on Friday!


 

The Storyline

The Fair and the Cockie Coo Clan - Ian Johnston Park

The people of the town are assembled in Ian Johnston Park for the annual fair day. They are enjoying the stalls and entertainment when suddenly the park is invaded by the clan of the Cockie Coo, the evil sea monster that has been stealing people from Buckie away to his lair across the sea. Before anyone has time to react they steal several dancers and disappear…

The terrified townsfolk decide that enough is enough! They know that the only way to defeat the Cockie Coo is with a Burry Man. The Wise Woman can help them turn someone into a Burry Man but they have to find someone really big. They remember Ken, the tallest man in Buckie and decide to go and find him.

Finding the Hero - Buckie High School

Nearby, in a large yard, they find Ken working with some friends. The townsfolk explain the problem and Ken agrees to help. Happy they have found a hero they all set off in a jubilant procession to bring Ken to the Wise Woman.

The Wise Woman lends a hand - Railway Terrace

To defeat the Cockie Coo, Ken must be transformed into the Burry Man. The Wise Woman bestows upon him his magic staff and protective cloak. Now suitably dressed and armed the Burry Man and his entourage leave prepared for battle.

The Revellers - Cluny Square

BUT... the forces of evil have one more trick up their sleeves. On their way the entourage comes uon a feast. There is much eating and drinking and clever waiters entertain guests with their tricks. Music strikes up and a large group of dancers emerge. The Burry Man and his followers are transfixed. Forgetting their mission they join in the dance.

Remembrance - The Bowling Green

Suddenly a hush descends over the party. A group of townsfolk with mourning flags for their lost love ones moves through the crowd, a stark reminder of the seriousness of the job at hand. The Burry Man and his followers are drawn after them. They perform a slow and mournful expression of their grief. This galvanises the Burry Man and his followers into action and they head off again towards the shore where the Cockie Coo and his clan are waiting.

The Battle - The Shore

The two sides face off, ready for battle. Each side performs their battle dance. A huge battle ensues with both sides using all the powers they can muster. Eventually the Burry Man uses his magic staff and in an awesome hail of fire and explosions the Cockie Coo is defeated, never to return again. The children are released to the delight of the mourning townsfolk, the Cockie Coo’s former clan see the error of their ways and everyone joins in a celebratory dance and rejoice long into the night.