Red Kite Yurts first Open Day

Setting up a 42 foot diameter Yurt is not a task to be triffled with. In fine weather a hardy team of four can do it in a day, but taking on this task mid-winter was always going to be an ambitious endeavour. 



Ground sheet down, large crown up!



Having planned to go ahead with our first open day before Christmas 2010 the worst December weather to hit the UK for decades descended with temperatures dropping as low as -22 in some parts of the country and snow making travel all but impossible. Yurt outings were being cancelled and we only just managed to errect a 24 foot Yurt between blizarsd at the Bridge Inn. The only option, with more snow and arctic conditions predicted, was to postpone until the new year.

 




 

Walls up and roof poles out

Planning again kicked into gear at the start of January and before long we had secured the services of a raft of local companies to help us make the most of the erection. Andrew from KiltPin, Vows Awards winners, offered grooms-wear, Alison Kirk steped up with bridal wear, Kindom Photos who also organise the Stirling Wedding Show got on board for photography, Moss Flowers pledged floral displays, Touch House provide a stunning venue for the event and Jaggy Snake Productions were secured as official videographers for a day. Our first taste of PR proper also resulted in a degree of media interest. with the Scotsman, The Scottish Herald, The Gaurdian, The Stirling Observer and The Stirling Eye all showing interest in the event.

   

End of day one - the Frame stands majestic!



January 22nd arrived. Weather reports suggested mixed luck, with showers likely over the next few days. Walter from Inshcriach House arrived the previous evening to assist and by the end of day one we had set up the entire Yurt frame.

Day two broke with none of the predicted showers and by mid-day much of the canvas cover had been wrestled onto the massive double crowned Yurt and by dusk the largest yurt in Scotland was complete. Utterly exhausted from two days of intense labour shifting over a ton of Yurt we just needed to ensure that the Yurt was properly prepared for the cameras.



The completed Yurt, ready for dressing and cameras

After all the hard work of erecting this monster it was a pure joy to be able to spend a day dressing the Yurt for the cameras. Equipped with a full quotation of tables, chairs, table cloths, lilies, rugs, drapes, wall hangings and the like we set to work. The results, which we loved are below.

 

The photographers working with our bride in the chill out space

What we wanted to demonstrate is the space in the Yurt. It is not an easy space to capture on film as a result of the round shape which makes the Yurt look much smaller than it really is.

We set out seven tables in one half of the Yurt. Given that there was plenty of space around each table and that each table seats ten people we are able to demonstrate that the Yurt could comfortably accommodate 150 for a wedding banquet.





Tables in half of the Yurt