Claymore 2024

 On Saturday we attended the annual Claymore show in Edinburgh. There seemed to be fewer retailers than last year, possibly the timing of the show, which clashes with the start of the Edinburgh festival, makes accommodation very expensive. We had a most enjoyable day, with lots of interest and questions about our display. I had previously shown it at Partizan, but I wanted the chance for it to be seen in Scotland. If we had a pound for every photograph taken, we would have gone home with very heavy pockets !

My plan is to offer my 40mm French, British, Prussian and Austrian armies for sale in the near future. (Over 3000 figures !). This will allow me to focus on building the new 30mm armies.

Next up is Kulmbach on Friday, which I am really looking forward to. I am not really a flats collector, but I do admire the quality of work on display, and as the show only happens every two years, it is just too good to miss.

A few photos of Saturdays game, which won best of show, and a very embarrassed me accepting the award !

Claymore - Edinburgh

 

On Saturday we head to Claymore to remember our friend Stuart Insch :

Stuart Insch 1973 – 2024

Almost exactly a year ago five wargamers met on a sunny afternoon for an outdoor wargame. It was

the host’s 50 th birthday and while our wives chatted and drank wine at one end of the garden, the

five of us refought the Battle of the Alma at the other end, using some excellent figures and terrain.

It was beautiful afternoon, the game was good, played in a gentlemanly manner and was rounded

off with a barbecue. Later, when the wives had adjourned indoors (for more chatting and wine!), we

five sat in the garden until late and talked of wargaming, films, books and favourite bands until it

was dark (OK we were also enjoying some beverages!).

The birthday boy, who was our host that day was Stuart Insch. Many people in the wargaming circles

will have known Stuart. He was a member of the Aberdeen and Old Meldrum Clubs, the Wild Geese,

an author of several books, a blogger, (on wargames, malt whisky and Alfa Romeos), the painter of

multitudinous figures and a planner of many games and campaigns. Sadly, Stuart was taken from us

by cancer earlier this year, leaving many plans and ideas unfinished and a big gap in all our lives. The

four of us, who were his guests that idyllic afternoon felt that we needed to do something to

commemorate Stuart and his contribution to our hobby.

“Descent on the French Coast” is a Seven Years War display game, largely built by Graham Hilditch,

figures and terrain, as a lock-down project. Graham, with Stuart’s assistance (aka “The Friends of a

Military Gentleman”), presented the game at Partizan in October 2021, where it won the award for

Best of Show. The game has never been displayed in Scotland, so it is with pride that we display the

game today at Claymore.

We would like to thank Stuart’s wife, Pauline and son, Lewis for permission to dedicate this game to

our dear departed friend.

Graham Hilditch - Eric Duncanson - Bill Smith - John Allen

Friends of Stuart

“Remember the Alma!”