Random thoughts after my first Highland Games

[MacKenzie]

In no particular order:

I really felt bad for the piper that was playing for the Highland Dancing. Same tune over and over x100. I hope he was paid well.


Highland dancing ain't easy. And it was serious business.


OC Richard is right. When the pipe bands aren't playing there's some part of their uniform missing.


You can spot a pipe band member just like that.


I was surprised at the number of kilts being worn by spectators. After seeing the comments here that, "the only people in kilts at Highland games are the officials, athletes, bands and those manning the clan tents" I figured I'd be the only John Q. Public in a kilt. Not so.


Retirement plan: Selling turkey legs at Scottish festivals.


Dominant hose color was not white/oatmeal. There wasn't a dominant hose color, or style.


I only saw two things that made me think, "That ain't right." First: A young lad whose kilt came to within 6" of his ankle. It wasn't an heirloom-worn-too-soon because the waist fit his tall, lanky frame and everything else was right fit-wise. Second: A young lad in tee shirt, shorts and running shoes wearing a baldric and claymore. I hope he just bought it.


It felt good wearing a bespoke, quality kilt. There were others there. There were lots that weren't. I had no idea it would be so easy to differentiate.

Pics of the games here

[mookien]

In no particular order:

... Retirement plan: Selling turkey legs at Scottish festivals. ...

Sounds great to me. And who says today's seniors aren't doing enough retirement planning? I wish I had thought of that before I quit work. I'm selling chicken parts at a pretty good Scottish restaurant - McDonalds.

[Mael Coluim]

Love the slideshow presentation of your pics.

Memorable day I say. Thanks for sharing.

[OC Richard]

Yes thanks for the slideshows!

It's one of my favourite things about XMarks, being able to vicariously visit Highland Games I'll never get to see in person.

I like tartan-spotting: Roxburgh District (as I recall worn by The Greater Richmond Pipes And Drums), Spirit Of Scotland.

I think I saw a Matt Newsome 4-yard box-pleat kilt.

Yes about Pipe Band people being slow to put on parts of their uniform, and quick to take off parts of it whenever not performing, the last two bands I've been in have made it a rule that band members are not to appear at a Games in partial uniform: be either entirely in mufti, or wear the complete uniform.

[MacKenzie]

Another observation.

If the SHTF I want those guys tossin' heavy stuff around on my side.

[azwildcat96]

Another observation.

If the SHTF I want those guys tossin' heavy stuff around on my side.

Yep! That's Matt Vincent (in the pink hose), currently the Number 1 Highland Games athlete in the World! I'm not a little guy, but those pros make me look small!

[Dixiecat]

In no particular order:

I really felt bad for the piper that was playing for the Highland Dancing. Same tune over and over x100. I hope he was paid well.


Highland dancing ain't easy. And it was serious business.

Don't feel sorry for the piper playing for Highland Dancing. He/She indeed do get paid very well and must be very experienced to be able to play for us. Some dance pipers are 'stars' and some dancers won't dance if they know that their favourite piper is not playing. Glenn Sutherland comes to mind. Quite the thing to hear the younger dancers seriously discussing his playing.

I had a look at your pics. What you saw wasn't a competition but a Championship. Top notch dancers indeed. The Sword Dance is pretty cool to watch, but if you can catch a premier level Seann Truibhas, you'll be amazed at the sheer power. Of course it all depends on the steps they have to dance that year, but this year is an excellent year for both the ST and the Reel.

[Grouse Claw]

Bring some spectators down to New Zealand. We could do with a few more kilts in the audiences.

[OC Richard]

Thanks for that great post James! I've never been to the Chicago Games. They sound great. I like including soccer and rugby!

Are these the Games?

http://www.chicagoscots.org/highlandgames/

They had 21 pipe bands competing in 2014, looks like. (From the Midwest Pipe Band Association site.)

Our San Francisco Games (now held in Pleasanton) feature five-a-side soccer, and shinty. Shinty is the cool thing, because teams come over from Scotland and those guys speak Gaelic.

Interesting that those Chicago Games are only in their 29th year. I would have thought Chicago would have Games dating back to the mid-19th century, like our San Francisco Games (1865).