Claymore 2014 - Images and Report.

Saturday the 2^nd of August saw Claymore taking place in Edinburgh.

Below my report from the show and some pics.

My key lesson for the day though is that I need to learn more about my new camera!

Fresh from their own show, and already no doubt planning for next year, the Falkirk club brought us something from the Indian Mutiny.

Hexon terrain there under some nice figures in a proper scale.

Spartan Games were there, demonstrating their proprietary systems on themes of futuristic skirmish and space combat.

One of the trends I perceive is individuals bringing something to shows that might not be of the greatest size, but is often innovative and of great interest. Michael Scott took us to Dilbar in 1915, and showed how much you could do with so little. 10mm lads here.

Noting the imminent centenary of the start of WW1, Tyneside brought an interesting strategic level game showing movement at the army and army-group level.

The Iron Brigade are Claymore regulars. This time they came with a large ACW action

6s to Hit is an Edinburgh games shop and hobby centre. They came with one of several Bolt Action games on the day.

Here we see Glasgow Phoenix club member Alasdair meeting similarly minded chaps in respect of playing Commands and Colours: Napoleonic with figures and Hexon terrain. Like-minded, or as I call them, enablers in madness.

Both Saga and Bolt Action lend themselves well to show games. Dave Imrie of Claymore Castings came with a Saga skirmish on very good terrain.

Adrian's Walls is a fairly new company I think. Their display mixed in items used in the photo-production of the new Saga supplement - Crescent and Cross.

The recent 700th anniversary of Bannockburn was commemorated in a small but perfectly formed game. My usual method of taking a pic of the info sheets for each table was scuppered as for this game I was left with an image of the rules and not the hosts!

As with Spartan Games above, we've seen a number of companies choose to directly host games rather than rely on a club intermediary. Makes sense with benefits for all parties, and I expect we'll see more of it. Wings of Glory part of that trend.

One of the most distinctive games of the day was by Durham, who brought a key moment in the Battle of Waterloo using 54mm troops in large numbers.

Leuchars Veterans came with their re-enactment of Operation Chastise. Apparently the day went very well for the assorted bomber crews.

Not totally sure I'd want to share a small cockpit with the gentleman on the left of the crew here.

Another of the good number of participation games was by GDWS, who helped members of the public enact archaic western rituals.

The League of Augsburg can always be relied on to produce a good, visually appealing game. 18th Century by Beneath the Lily Banners rules. 

A sister club of Glasgow Phoenix - G3 - came with not one but two setups for Warzone.

Kirriemuir usually bring a participation game, but I think this one was a demo? Macedonians Vs Thracians in an epic-sized 28mm battle.

Last but not least on my run-through we have Dingwall, with one of the lovely Pegasus Bridge models recently released. What is the plural? Pegasus Bridges? Pegasii Bridge?

Thanks must go to the organisers, clubs and traders who made the day what it was. Already looking forward to seeing you again next year. 

Right at the bottom after all the images is where I admit I forgot to take any of the Glasgow Phoenix club game of Dux Britannarium! Other members did, and I shall add those if they will let me have a borra.