Stone Mountain 2009 Pics

**tyger** · 19th October 09, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

Can't beat X-ers on a road trip.

I missed seeing you. Next year!

Yes, thank you Turpin for allowing us to "school up" at your House. A few times I noticed about 35 people all seeking a dry spot under that tent!

**Jock Scot** · 19th October 09, 03:36 AM

Super pictures and thank you for sharing them. It looks as though you were all experiencing some Scottish type weather too! Wool and a lot of it, can be handy sometimes.LOL

**MacKay71** · 19th October 09, 06:03 AM

Yes, it was rather cool all weekend. It seemed alot colder though since it was so warm all week during setup. We'll add pics soon!

**Splash_4** · 19th October 09, 06:45 AM

Ok gents, my turn.

As has been said, this was one of the coldest Stone Mountain games I can remember. The weatherman had called for Sunny and Chilly all weekend and he missed badly on Saturday. It was in the mid 30's at the start of the day and never really got much above 50 throughout. Add to that the mist most of the morning and down right rain during the opening ceremonies, it got quite cold. For the first time in my life I wished I had been wearing the great kilt!

Ok, to the pictures;

This is the group I took to the games with me, I am on the left in MacKinnon Hunting, next is Michael, a young man I have been mentoring for a few years, in his newly acquired MacMillan USA casual and wearing the kilt for the first time, Sean (who is not a member here) sporting a Clark great kilt, and Bruce wearing a Black Stewart still water (also his first time in a kilt!)

Heading to the games, one of our first stops was the Wild Highlanders booth to meet some 'old' friends...

First was King Robert!

And another rather scary gentleman!

We spent a fair amount of time just walking the grounds so that Bruce and Michael could enjoy their first highland games. With the rain, I did not break the camera out too much. But we stopped at the shops, watched some highland dancing, enjoyed the harps and fiddles and even strayed into the competition area for the bagpipers.

Sunday came and Michael was signed up for the amateur athlete clinic to give some of the heavy stuff a try.

Here he is with the heavy weight for distance. And then....

he actually tried the caber! he was able to pick it up, but could not control it to attempt the toss...

Moving on, we attended the herding demonstrations with both ducks and sheep...

The ducks were having none of it and took quite a long time for the dogs to get them herded!

Four dogs against three sheep seemed a bit of overkill, but there were kids involved. They were herding the sheep around a bunch of children they had let on the field.

Michael's mother joined us later in the day and was able to try some of the sample haggis at the tartan museum tent. I think the picture says it all!

Haggis Face! She did not enjoy it one bit. Oh well, there is no accounting for taste.

Michael and his mother were able to participate in the gathering of the clans under the MacMillan banner. It was cool to see so many folks on the parade field at once. Unfortunately, the MacKinnons don't journey this far south.

Lastly, the MacMillan's won some sort of trophy during the event, here is Michael's mom with the group and trophy at the tent...

All in all, I had a great time. I had a chance to meet some of the folks from the board for the first time and got to meet up with some I had met before. If you have never made it to the Stone Mountain games, you should get it on your calendar!

**beowulf67** · 19th October 09, 06:50 AM

I had a great time all weekend and hope to get to see everyone again at future games!

**cessna152towser** · 19th October 09, 06:57 AM

Great pics, folks, its always interesting to see games pics from elsewhere. Special thanks to Heathbar for that pic of the Clan Cunningham tent, you appear to have captured on camera David Pickens the President of Clan Cunningham International!

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 19th October 09, 07:11 AM

Great photos. I am going to have to make it to those games one of these years.

**turpin** · 19th October 09, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Super pictures and thank you for sharing them. It looks as though you were all experiencing some Scottish type weather too! Wool and a lot of it, can be handy sometimes.LOL

During his remarks at the opening ceremony the Honored Guest, the Chief of Macdonnell of Glengary, took the blame for bringing the weather with him.

**JRB** · 19th October 09, 09:08 AM

Great pics. I love the woodsy setting of the SMHG. I've been to two of the largest Highland games in the U.S. (Loon Mountain, Longs Peak) and must make it to Stone Mountain one of these years.

**tyger** · 19th October 09, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Splash_4

...try some of the sample haggis at the tartan museum tent. .... there is no accounting for taste.

You are correct about the accounting for taste! As an example: I just loved the haggis, however, Carol does not like it.

I appreciate the Scottish Tartans Museum's consideration and generosity for having it out for sampling. Did you know that this particular canned haggis has "at least a 5-year shelf life?" Every guy needs to have some of this squirreled away in his garage/cave for lean times. About a case should do it! Thanks again.