…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Hundreds of people across Scotland gathered for sunshine, ice-creams, and bouncy castles at Big Lunches to celebrate the King’s coronation.
Almost 2,000 people participated in events held in Ballater, near Balmoral, and in the village of Gartocharn on the banks of Loch Lomond on Sunday.
The Coronation Big Lunch was an idea by the Eden Project and made possible by the National Lottery.
It was set up as a way of reducing loneliness and supporting charities and good causes.
The events in Scotland aimed to bring communities together and celebrate the coronation of the King and Queen.
A Personal Celebration in Ballater
Around 1,500 people turned out for a Coronation Big Lunch picnic in Ballater, which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside and on the doorstep of Balmoral.
David Corbyn, who helped organise the event, said that Ballater’s long association with the royal family made it a bit more personal.
He added that they feel an affinity with the royal family and have a strong respect for them.
He considered the event a celebration of everything they have achieved and what they are now about to achieve as King and Queen.
He also said that it was a great opportunity for them to come together and show their appreciation.
Celebrating with Bouncy Castles and Ice-Cream in Gartocharn
In Gartocharn, more than 300 people turned out for a Coronation Big Lunch. James MacRae, 82, and the driving force behind the event, said that these events are important because they pull a community together.
He felt that an occasion like a coronation, particularly a once in 70-year coronation, should be celebrated with an event.
Hope for an Annual Celebration
Grainne McCloskey, Scotland Regional Manager at Eden Project Communities, hoped that the Big Lunch would become an annual celebration.
She said that community spirit is at the heart of this historic occasion and that the events were another opportunity for people to strengthen that community spirit while enjoying the celebrations.
She hoped that organisers would make The Big Lunch an annual celebration of friendship, togetherness, and neighbourhood.
In Conclusion
The Coronation Big Lunches held across Scotland aimed to bring communities together and celebrate the coronation of the King and Queen.
Ballater, with its long association with the royal family, held a personal celebration with around 1,500 people turning out for a Coronation Big Lunch picnic.
Gartocharn celebrated with bouncy castles and ice-cream.
The hope is that The Big Lunch will become an annual celebration of friendship, togetherness, and neighbourhood.