Random thoughts after my first Highland Games

[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.

[woodysjames]

McKenzie, that was your first games attended? I was there Saturday with the whole family. I've been before. It's always fun for me. My wow isn't really into it, though. I was there, kilted, as was my 3 year old. Maybe we'll do a kilted night here in Salisbury.

Jrmiller, are you in the Charlotte area?

[MacKenzie]

MacKenzie , absolutely wonderful slide shows ! Well done ! Really like your choice of the particular MacKenzie tartan for your kilt .... and I would agree , a good quality bespoke kilt is always a pleasure to wear .

Thanks Mike. And for the video too.

Dixiecat, thanks for the insight. It makes it that much more interesting.

Woody, yep. Thinking about hitting Greenville at the end of May. http://gallabrae.com/

[OC Richard]

I don't recall seeing a drum major in trews.

Here's the lineup of Drum Majors at Shotts a few years ago



Keep in mind that up until quite recently (when the whole Scottish Infantry was put into one generic uniform) half the Scottish regiments wore trews, not kilts, and in their Pipes & Drums only the pipers were kilted, the Drum Major and all the drummers in trews.

Some Drum Majors at a recent Edinburgh Tattoo

[woodysjames]

I'm not going to make it to Greenville. I am going to Bethbara in Winston-Salem. It's smaller, free, and I only have 1 of the 5 kids that weekend. May 9. Depending on how the other kids behave, I might make it to Grandfather Mountain. My wife is in grad school and this summer will have weekend classes, so I'm not sure I want to venture up with 5 unruly kids all by myself.

[ASinclair]

I'm not going to make it to Greenville. I am going to Bethbara in Winston-Salem. It's smaller, free, and I only have 1 of the 5 kids that weekend. May 9. Depending on how the other kids behave, I might make it to Grandfather Mountain. My wife is in grad school and this summer will have weekend classes, so I'm not sure I want to venture up with 5 unruly kids all by myself.

My sweetie, carolinanan117, and I will be convening for Clan Sinclair next weekend at the Triad Highland Games here in Greensboro and then the following Saturday at Bethabara in Winston-Salem. Anyone attending either of these events, please stop by the Clan Sinclair tent for a visit and a wee dram.

[MacThomas]

seems different from Scottish highland games: would be interesting to identify the main differences between highland games in the US and in Scotland

[Jock Scot]

seems different from Scottish highland games: would be interesting to identify the main differences between highland games in the US and in Scotland

That is my impression too. I wonder if those who are actually able to compare would care to comment? Alan H? Anyone?

[Tarheel]

Here's my view from the "cheap seats". I sense there are more similarity than differences. Fall or Spring festivals attract communities to show off their wares, skills and to gather with each other. Having not been blessed by the dew of the Scottish glens on my brogues, I can only imagine there would be few differences.

[bonniegraham]

Last weekend at Loch Norman I spoke with Roger Moffet (ScotsClans) about exactly this. Roger said that many of the games in Scotland (not all) are very different...sometimes NO clan families attend. They are set up as athletic events. He thinks there is a trend toward more events like Braemar where the clan family tents are a major aspect of the fun. We talked at length about the fact that most Scots don't understand the diaspora's (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand...) intense love for what we perceive to be our Scottish heritage. Many there see what we do as play-acting and costumed silliness.