While their peers watched from the harbour side, twins Iain and Jamie MacVicar had an unusual view of Saturday's boat parade — the navigation deck of the boat they helped decorate.

The fourteen-year-olds, who are from Paisley, Scotland, have been in Bermuda for four years and are students at Saltus Grammar School.

Their mum, Claire MacVicar, is a member of the Caledonian Society of Bermuda executive committee and enlisted their help in decorating the parade entry, which won first prize in the Non-profit Organisations category.

The theme of the entry was the twelve days of Christmas with drummers and pipers from the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band appearing from the top of stockings. Three stockings were constructed on the upper deck of Nauti Ness, owned by Herbie and Liz Adderley, and live music was provided by pipers David Frith, Bonnie Langille, Ian Gray and David Raths, and drummer Peter Profit.

For most of Saturday the boys helped with the creation of the three large stockings from which would emerge the Scottish pipers and drummer.

They helped put together the frames on which the lights were hung and then tie-wrapped the lights to the frame.

It was a lengthy process; according to Iain, "There were missing parts we had to wait for. At times there were too many people working on one thing."

But the final product, Jamie acknowledged, was "pretty good" and of the parade itself, "I'm hoping it'll be lots of fun."

The reward for their labour was experiencing the parade from the boat itself — in their kilts, of course.

Proudly wearing the tartan of the Blackwatch — a Scottish regiment which coincidently was at one time stationed in Bermuda — they joined Society president Ian Hind and other members of the executive committee and friends in the slow cruise around Hamilton Harbour.

After two passes in front of the judges and crowds of spectators along Front Street, the skipper held Nauti Ness off the container docks.

Those on board were able to look up the harbour to see the splendid outlines of other entries against the inky night, the view unmarred by distracting street and building lights.

It was a prime vantage point also to experience the fireworks finale — unobstructed views of a fantastic light show and the booming echoes reverberating between the Hamilton hills and Paget shore.

Of the experience, Jamie commented: "It was the best fun I have had in ages.

"It was entertaining passing the docks, watching the reactions of the crowd and the other boats which all did a marvellous job with their designs."

Iain added: "The night was an excellent way of experiencing our Scottish traditions, and it gave me the chance to wear my kilt and to hear carols played on the bagpipes. It was cold and lengthy but always amusing."

Having enjoyed the experience very much, both are eager to do it again next year.