51st Annual Scottish Gathering and Highland Games Salado, TX

[super8mm]

I will have my DSLR and a HD video camera with me on my bike

[chewse]

I expect to be there. I didn't realize the site had moved. Are there plans to do the clan march down the main street as in the past?

[super8mm]

chewse here is what the FAQ say

Where will the 51st Games and events be located?

At the Salado Youth Athletic complex off Exit 286 (I-35) and behind the Holiday Inn Express. Two evening events, Calling of the Clans (9 Nov) & Tattoo (10 Nov) will be held on the ruins of College Hill at the south end of Main Street Salado. The Tartan Ceilidh (10 Nov) will be at the Stagecoach Inn.

[cck]

As a review, the Central Texas area has 3 events coming up:

September 22 and 23 - Sherwood Celtic Festival in McDade
November 3 and 4 - Austin Celtic Festival in Austin
November 9, 10 and 11 - Scottish Gathering and Highland Games in Salado

I hope to make all 3.

[super8mm]

wow all 3 in about a 60 miles. make me wish I had more time

[bdkilted]

We drove through the new location today on the way home from visiting the folks in the hill country. It is certainly big enough, but it is mostly baseball fields. It will be interesting to see how they set it up. Personally, I am hoping they put the clans in the trees. That way we will either get shade from the sun, or cover from the rain. Either way its good. It really is behind the Holiday Inn. I can't see how they plan to fence it to control the gate though. It is pretty wide open.

[super8mm]

Thanks for the report, I guess some sun screen will still be needed.

Where I am staying out at the lake there is not much for shade either so I may have to find a floppy hat to wear

[J3Piper]

Baseball fields? That's really disappointing. The vendors know their own business, but I would think their shopper numbers drop as the temps climb, particularly with No Shade.

Here's hoping they place the Piping competition in the shade as well. A piping judge in the sun is a cranky judge. Thankfully for me, beginners usually go first.

Valerie

[J3Piper]

We'll be there, as usual. Note that the location of the games has changed this year. Instead of downtown at the Civic Center, the games will be at a sports complex behind the Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Salado (Exit 286 off of I-35).

Apparently, the City of Salado decided that they wanted a cut of the vendor's take. The organizer's disagreed and moved the games outside the city limit! That'll teach 'em!

See you there.

SM

Well, let's see. While the lack of shade is horrible, there should be ample parking, people will not want to move their vehicles once they find a parking place, the location is not within walking distance of any of Salado's shops or eateries, and when it's time to leave drivers can just zip right back on the convenient entrance ramp to I-35 instead of poking through town.

I think that the city fathers will eventually have an influx of merchants and restaurant owners voicing their displeasure over the lack of Highland Games visitors walking (and purchasing) their way through the streets of Salado. Having been hit with their hefty "special events additional tax" last year on B&B accommodations within the city limits, I don't have a lot of sympathy.

[kscaddo]

Clan Stewart will be there. See ya!