Quote Originally Posted by frank_a View Post
Tobus, do you go to Scotland a lot? Have you already made plans to go in 2014? Frank
Others in my family have been, but I'm a poor working stiff who will never be able to afford the trip, much less get the time off from work to do it. Heck, I can't even seem to be able to get away to some of the bigger Highland Games here in America. And with a wife who absolutely will not travel via airplane or ship, a holiday to Scotland is just not going to happen.

Quote Originally Posted by davidlpope View Post
I think you probably overestimate the existence of/ interest in "clan societies", etc. in Scotland. I think that this sort of event is an Americanism that is attempting transplant to Scotland, much like Halloween. I doubt that many Scots have the experience of running such a large "American Highland Games" type of event. What seems to be needed is a committee comprised of folks who plan Pleasanton, Maxton, GMHG, Stone Mt., etc. if this thing is actually going to happen.
I think you're right. I'm just surprised that they're acting so helpless about it when there's so much potential there. Maybe it's just my American mentality at work here, but if you see an opportunity to organize something that can bring in boatloads of money, you do what it takes to make it happen. You don't give it a half-hearted attempt and then throw your hands in the air and say it's too hard. Surely a cultural celebration isn't that foreign to them? Sending delegates to an American version of a Highland Games is a good start, if for nothing else than to see how commercial ventures can make the thing pay for itself. But what they ought to be doing is taking the proverbial bull by the horns and setting up serious plans. Instead, I just see hand-wringing.