Before the Parade Passes By

I spent much of the afternoon today studying at "Couch", a little coffee shop located on Bell Street with a fantastic front window that overlooks the street.  As befits the shop name, they have two large comfy leather couches positioned by the window.  I commandeered one of those couches, bought a pot of tea, and settled in for some dissertation reading.  I was the only customer in the shop and the summer sunshine was streaming in.  Perfect!  

At one point as I looked up from my sixteenth century ballads I caught a glimpse of a Royal Air Force Airman walking down the street.  It is not uncommon to see a couple of uniformed airmen in St. Andrews, as Leuchars Air Force Base is so close that I've grown accustomed to the roar of the fighter jets flying maneuvers on a daily basis.  I was just musing on the merits of the RAF uniform when a group of four jets, in formation, zoomed by overhead.  The fly-over was soon followed by the sound of bagpipes and drums--also not so uncommon, after all, this is Scotland!  

What followed was out of the ordinary, for up the street, proceeded by a police escort, marched an RAF unit--complete with kilted pipe and drum corp, white gloves, and bayoneted rifles.  The whole procession took all of 7 minutes to traverse the length of the street and turn onto Market Street.  (Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera!)

Apparently, in 1968, the Royal Burgh of St. Andrews granted the RAF Station at Leuchars the "Freedom of the City".  According to the barrista, the RAF does this little parade every year to demonstrate their right to march in the streets of St. Andrews.  

Ah, I love quirky British traditions!  Especially when they involve men in uniform!