Carronade Wargames Show 2026

The Carronade show was at a new venue, Falkirk High School. There were teething troubles like catering had fallen through and the bring and buy was on the school stage and was hot and airless pretty early on. On top of that l wasn’t in the mood for the show as the Black Dog was sniffing about.  So l didn’t vibe it, took less photos than I intended, missed out on a 28mm castle and old samurai through procrastination ( probably best as l have too much stuff already) and hummed and hawed over glossy painted S range ( ?) FPW armies. I resisted but only just! I did have a lovely chat with Balkan Dave who was putting on a game based on Banjaluka 1737. I was able to enthuse with him and told him of the Edinburgh Uni Wargames Club putting on the same battle in the mid 80s or so. The Westerhope folk were chatty and friendly as ever with their big glossy game and l talked to the chaps who put on the battle of Linlithgow 1526 game as it is local ish to me and of particular interest. Otherwise avoided folk. Apologies if I should have said hello and didn’t, especially Richard.Bought nought, had lunch at a friends, bussed home and then later on enjoyed the company of the Virtual Wargames Club where my bad puns were an attempt to lift my spirits. As ever the company , modelling and craic were of the usual diverting standard. So to the photos

Terrific Battle of Falkirk in 28mm . Lovely animated Flags of War figures.

Here are  mats set up for a pp game skirmish . Looked the part.

Can’t recall much of this.

Enchanting looking samurai game , loved the Japanese garden and pond.

Linlithgow Bridge 1526 with Wofun and a wee figure diorama.

Using Test of Resolve rules. Too Anglo centric a set ignoring the Burgundian Wars imho.

A jaw dropping spectacular ancients game with a table rammed full of eye candy to the nth degree. Again 28mm. Seemed to be using Tactica?  

Balkan Dave’s leaflet on Banja Luka 1737

The games using a play test version of Simon Miller’s to the Strongest rules. 

I was taken with the gridded game and found out much about the forthcoming rules.

We enthused enjoyably about the battle, background to it and Potemkin uniforms

Visually appealing Bolt Action game. Loved the column of mcs and side cars.

Sharpe Practice and an intriguing signal station. Exciting looking game. 28mm

Westerhope and their glossy , shiny super ancients. 

Back to Falkirk and the Jacobites.

 Finally a photo off face book showing the Duke of Tradgardland ( rose breeks and blue jacket ) taking pictures. A member of hobby royalty browsing behind me. Hope you enjoyed the photos on and all.

Week 2

 

Inspite of horrendous rain , flash flooding and vile weather l have had a useful week outdoors. The Test yesterday accompanied what little hobby stuff l have felt like doing. 

Portharthur is beginning to take shape on the PLR. A new station and costal village.

The signage has been waiting a fair while.

Having a look , a weed and a sorting out of the area.

A mature hydrangea after establishing in her new home.

Moving the heavy planter by hauling along some wood. It was awfully heavy! A task with daughter number two.

I have added soil to the wee rockery to give it a bigger footprint and greater height.

Beer traps were laid successfully last night . Will repeat regularly now..

York

 Had a wee trip to York recently, for a couple of nights

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Reading material purchased.

Helmet in the Yorkshire museum, a fascinating and diverse collection of.

Daughter 3 enjoyed the virtual reality dinosaur experience.

Utterly fascinating Melsonby hoard exhibition, really well displayed 

Interactive chariot display and activity for children .

More of the hoard…

A charming wee observatory in the museum grounds, sadly not open. I wonder what it is like inside.

Famous bit of Roman Wall and plaque about it.

My daughter hadn’t been in the Minister since a small child and was keen to go in. I hadn’t been in for years. Amazing building.

I was taken with this illustration on display.

Looking towards the East end.

Barley Hall, didn’t go in this time but have been in years ago, most interesting place.

My daughter has inherited my enthusiasm for all Christmas decorations of a German kind so we couldn’t resist the shop. 

Breakfast on the hotel terrace, lovely weather enhanced the experience.

Interesting use of shipping containers as places to eat and drink. Really quirky mix, well worth a look.

My daughter on the first night. She remembered a little from childhood visits but was really taken with the place.

Nice touches on my room.

K

Interesting railway map on York station wall.

Striking art on various bin and electrical boxes around the City.

Forgot to bring some holiday reading. I did so much like the Brigadier and UNIT back in the day.

Memo to self must come back to York very soon, great place, great City.