Greenville Highland Games

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well.... There's always Grandfather Mountain!

Acutally Matt's photo was taken about 8:30 in the morning. By noon temperatures were well over 90° and by the time I'd finished walkabout my t-shirt and outer shirt were soaked except for that portion where my jacket was open in the front. After lunch (in blessed air conditioned splendor) it was time to ditch the jacket and tie and hang out in the SSA tent and, er... "rehydrate".

[creagdhubh]

Well.... There's always Grandfather Mountain!

Acutally Matt's photo was taken about 8:30 in the morning. By noon temperatures were well over 90° and by the time I'd finished walkabout my t-shirt and outer shirt were soaked except for that portion where my jacket was open in the front. After lunch (in blessed air conditioned splendor) it was time to ditch the jacket and tie and hang out in the SSA tent and, er... "rehydrate".

Wonderful! Scott, did you happen to have any photos of you and His Grace the Duke of Hamilton? Perhaps Matt took some? I am quite keen on seeing as many different photos from this particular games as possible. Stephanie and I should try to make it out next year - Greenville, SC isn't too terribly far from us (if we plan to stay the weekend).

What makes this event so interesting to me, is the simple fact that it attracts such a remarkable array of individuals from Prince Edward to a Marine Corps band...amazing! I believe I have seen photos of various clan chiefs who have attended the games in the past as well. Those who are in charge and "run the show" must do one heck of job getting such individuals to travel long distances to be a part of the festivities!

Cheers,

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Wonderful! Scott, did you happen to have any photos of you and His Grace the Duke of Hamilton? Perhaps Matt took some? I am quite keen on seeing as many different photos from this particular games as possible. Stephanie and I should try to make it out next year - Greenville, SC isn't too terribly far from us (if we plan to stay the weekend).

What makes this event so interesting to me, is the simple fact that it attracts such a remarkable array of individuals from Prince Edward to a Marine Corps band...amazing! I believe I have seen photos of various clan chiefs who have attended the games in the past as well. Those who are in charge and "run the show" must do one heck of job getting such individuals to travel long distances to be a part of the festivities!

Cheers,

Generally speaking we try to book our "Chief of the Games" three to five years in advance as we have to work with their availability, and a variety of other details. In the instance of HRH we had to coordinate with the Palace, HRH's private secretary, the British Embassy, the Royal security detail, and a number of US, state, and local VIP security agencies. We had to arrange for hotels, media coverage, and the loan of four brand new Rolls-Royce motor cars (two sedans and two convertibles) of which, ultimately, only one would be used to convey the prince with the others on stand-by in case of mechanical mishap or a change in security requirements. The entire operation took three years to organize, and in the year leading up to HRH's visit it was virtually a full time job.

This year's "Chief of the Games" was His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, the premier duke of Scotland. Also in attendance were the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Eglington (chief of clan Montgomery); Viscount and Viscountess Montgomey (tanist of clan Montgomery); Viscount Dunrossil (Honorary British Consul and representative of his cousin the Chief of Clan Morrison); Mel Sinclair (representative of the Right Honourable the Earl of Caithness, chief of Clan Sinclair); Charles McKerrell of Hillhouse and Madam McKerrell (head of that ancient family and a patron of the Society of Scottish Armigers); several feudal barons and a fair number of armigers. As Matt eluded to in his original post I was present in my capacity as Deputy Director of the Greenville Scottish Games, as well as representing my chief, George MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap.

All credit for the excellence of the games goes to the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. Dee Benedict who has run the games since their inception more than seven years ago, and to the team of unpaid volunteers who work tirelessly with her to produce what are, simply, the best one day games in the world.

[creagdhubh]

Generally speaking we try to book our "Chief of the Games" three to five years in advance as we have to work with their availability, and a variety of other details. In the instance of HRH we had to coordinate with the Palace, HRH's private secretary, the British Embassy, the Royal security detail, and a number of US, state, and local VIP security agencies. We had to arrange for hotels, media coverage, and the loan of four brand new Rolls-Royce motor cars (two sedans and two convertibles) of which, ultimately, only one would be used to convey the prince with the others on stand-by in case of mechanical mishap or a change in security requirements. The entire operation took three years to organize, and in the year leading up to HRH's visit it was virtually a full time job.

This year's "Chief of the Games" was His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, the premier duke of Scotland. Also in attendance were the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Eglington (chief of clan Montgomery); Viscount and Viscountess Montgomey (tanist of clan Montgomery); Viscount Dunrossil (Honorary British Consul and representative of his cousin the Chief of Clan Morrison); Mel Sinclair (representative of the Right Honourable the Earl of Caithness, chief of Clan Sinclair); Charles McKerrell of Hillhouse and Madam McKerrell (head of that ancient family and a patron of the Society of Scottish Armigers); several feudal barons and a fair number of armigers. As Matt eluded to in his original post I was present in my capacity as Deputy Director of the Greenville Scottish Games, as well as representing my chief, George MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap.

All credit for the excellence of the games goes to the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. Dee Benedict who has run the games since their inception more than seven years ago, and to the team of unpaid volunteers who work tirelessly with her to produce what are, simply, the best one day games in the world.

Thank you for your detailed response, Scott.

I knew there had to be a multitude of diligent people working 'behind the scenes' in order to organise such a wonderful Highland games and celebration of 'all things Scottish.' I wasn't too sure if you were personally involved or not, but now I know that you are and have been in the past - that is superb! The games definitely looks and sounds like, as you said, "the best one day games in the world." However, after perusing the official website of the Greenville Highland Games, it appears that the celebration and festivities last several days, with the actual athletic, piping, and dancing events being held on a single day, as you implied. It is quite comforting to know that so much hard work, dedicated volunteers, and passionate organisers are committed to ensuring that this fine games takes place every year (with everything running smoothly as possible - incredible logistics!), and that it attracts people from Scotland, as well as Britain as a whole. Even though I have never attended the Greenville Highland Games, yet, I am quite sure that it can serve as an inspiration to other Highland games around North America.

I am curious Scott, were you able to have a proper chat with the aforementioned list of people, to include the premier duke of Scotland, His Grace the Duke of Hamilton? The duke is quite young isn't he? I am interested in knowing what His Grace, as well as the other honourable men from Britain thought of the Greenville Highland Games. I was very impressed to see various photos of U.S. Marines and the Royal Regiment of Scotland present at the games - now that is what I am talking about! I can't wait to attend next year, any idea who the honoured guests and 'Chief of the Games' will be?

Kind regards,