Fettes Festival

So much fun!

On Saturday 28th May, 400 members of the Fettes community, including current and past families, Old Fettesians and staff gathered together on campus for a wonderful day in the sunshine at the Fettes Festival. The day was relaxed and full of fun for every generation.

Aside from an absolutely delicious BBQ lunch there was so much to do including touch rugby, hockey, the fantastically well received Fettes Family Trail, the low ropes course and frisbee golf. After lunch, guests were able to enjoy the Old Fettesians of 1990 Cricket XI vs the Fettes Community Scratch XI. To help everyone cool down, ice cream was available for all, thanks to the generosity of Graham’s the Family Dairy, who supported the event.

One of the day’s highlights was a Tug of War competition like no other, when a large team of children were victorious over slightly taken aback catering and staff teams. This was followed by a stunning finale performance by the Reunion Pipe Band, a great feat from some who had only attended Zoom practice sessions and were in the band some decades ago. The spirit of the Fettes community is truly alive and well as is evident from some of the wonderful feedback we have had:

The Tug of War was a hot contest. None of the crowd believed that the low centre of gravity of the large number of children would beat a team of seemingly strong adults!

“Just to thank you the organisers for a lovely day doing nothing very much but really enjoying the friendly atmosphere, the refreshments, the chat and the fun trail.” (Gl 1951–1955)

“Many thanks for all the organisation and putting on such wonderful events over the weekend. We all had a wonderful time.” (JS-Ca 1982–1990) “Thank you very much for organising such a fun weekend. It was beautifully organised and you even made sure the sun was shining!” (JS-Ar 1982–1990)

“What a day! A massive well done for all the time, energy and effort that has gone in to giving everyone such fun and happy memories.” (Staff)

“What a wonderful day we had at the Fettes Festival. It was so good to return to the College campus and to recall the very special atmosphere that Fettes manages to generate. Clearly a great deal of preparation had gone in to making the day a success and many thanks are due to everyone involved.” (Past Parent)

“We all enjoyed watching the Tug of War and saw how thrilled the children were when they won. Listening to the pipe band, I don't think one would have realised they had only practised for an afternoon. They performed so well.” (Past Parent)

“What a great occasion, thanks so very much. I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to play cricket at the school again, that pitch was hallowed grounds to me throughout my school days, so to be able to play there some 33 years later was just superb. Playing with so many old friends none of whom I had seen in such a long time was icing on the cake.” (JS-Gl 1981–1989)

Families enjoyed the Fettes Family Trail with clues that took them all over the campus. There was also tennis, the low ropes course and frisbee golf.

The boys from 1990 got back on the turf for a game of cricket against OFs and parents in the Fettes Community Scratch XI umpired by none other than Mark Peel (Staff 1983–2007) and Bruce Russell (Staff 1997–present). OFs represented in this picture: Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987–1992), Dave Murphy (Inv-Mo 2003–2010), Andrew Rhodes (JS-Gl 1981–1989), Philip Church (JS-Gl 1985–1993), Craig Hendry (JS-Gl 1981–1989), Charlie Keenan (Gl 1990–1995), Alasdair MacLeod (JS-Mo 1983–1990), Richard Monk (JS-Ca 1982–1990), Jamie Macpherson (Ca 1985–1990), Roy Leckie (Ca 1985–1990), Magnus Collard (Ca 1985–1990), Fraser Slater (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Graham Millar (Gl 1985–1990), Alex Nixon (Ca 1985–1990), James Eckersley (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Euan Ross (JS-Mo 1982–1990), Leith Al-Badran (Mo 1985–1990)

Fun was had on Bigside and the McMurray playing Touch Rugby with Duncan Harrison (Staff 1999–present) and Hockey umpired by Rona MacVicar (Staff 1984–2019).

Lunch was cooked and served on the Head’s Lawn.

The day ended with the pipe band reunion. Many of our pipers and drummers had only practised together on Zoom. They provided a magnificent end to a wonderful day.

The day ended with the pipe band reunion. Many of our pipers and drummers had only practised together on Zoom. They provided a magnificent end to a wonderful day.