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| Swedish Delegate, getting ready to swing Fireball
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Stonehaven entertained delegates from the Coastal Towns participating in the Susset Project during the Scottish Conference from 31st August to 3rd September 2006.
The main Conference for all delegates was held in Inverurie on Thursday 31st August 2006
Delegates from the Coastal Towns of Stromstad, Sweden, Hel, Poland and Messalonghi, Greece attended a conference and Workshop in Stonehaven on 1st September and they were given the chance to experience some of the unique attractions of Stonehaven like Dunnottar Castle, The Open Air Pool, The Boardwalk along the Beach to the Harbour, a Boat Trip to the Fowlsheugh Bird Sanctuary, Whisky Tasting at the Heugh Hotel.
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| Polish Delegates try their hand at swinging Fireballs
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They were also given the chance to listen to some Scottish Traditional Music and see a slide show by local photographer Andy Hall who has had two books published with the theme A Sense of Belonging to Scotland
All delegates were very impressed with Stonehaven and this leg of the conference ended in a blaze of Glory when Stonehaven Fireballs Committee broke with tradition by holding a mini Fireballs Ceremony with some of the delegates taking part .
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| Greek Delegate in full swing
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Martin Sim, Chairman of the Fireballs Committee gave a talk about the Fireballs Festival which is held every Hogmanay ( New Year’s Eve) in Stonehaven.
He explained how the Fireballs were made with a wire cage and stuffed with old clothing which reminded them of something bad. The idea was to burn off all the evil spirits before the year ended so that a fresh start could be made on the 1st of January each year.
Smaller fireballs were made specially to allow the delegates to have a go after some initial training and delegates from all the countries met the challenge with great enthusiasm and a little trepidation.
The demonstaration was carried out in the area past the Tolbooth.
Finishing the Conference in a blaze of glory like this has ensured that on top of what they had already experienced a lasting impression of Stonehaven has been left in the minds of all delegates.
This article by Georg McGillivray, Stonehaven Business Association Stonehaven its Special Tourism Group
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