XMTS Annual Kilt Weekend

[gilmore]

The Stone Mountain Games, said to be the second largest in the US after Grandfather Mountain, are held here in the Atlanta suburbs the third weekend in October. Both Geoffrey and Howie Nicholson of Geoffrey (Tailor) came this year, and I think at least one of them does most years. I heard that Kathy Lare was in attendance this year, and Matt Newsome always is, with his large booth from the Tartan Museum. The massed pipe bands are nice, with over 300 pipers and drummers. There are competitions and workshops for harpists, highland and country dancing, sheep dog herding, and of course the athletic events---and more clan and association tents than one person can visit. There is even a chapel booth with a resident chaplain.

The weather is always pleasant then, cool enough to wear wool kilts and jackets comfortably. All sorts of Scottish events are held before, during and after the games---country dancing, clan society meetings, celiedhs, both the locals and out of towners carrying on like yard dogs in the Stone Mountain campground, or so I have heard. For the more restrained there is a motel in the park.

Also, Atlanta's international airport is easy to get to, said to be the largest in the world. As we say here, if you die on the eastern seaboard, you can't get to heaven without changing planes in Atlanta.

[Aggie]

He makes a good case for Atlanta, but don't drink the water. Beer will cost less.

[Zardoz]

The Stone Mountain Games, said to be the second largest in the US after Grandfather Mountain, are held here in the Atlanta suburbs the third weekend in October. Both Geoffrey and Howie Nicholson of Geoffrey (Tailor) came this year, and I think at least one of them does most years. I heard that Kathy Lare was in attendance this year, and Matt Newsome always is, with his large booth from the Tartan Museum. The massed pipe bands are nice, with over 300 pipers and drummers. There are competitions and workshops for harpists, highland and country dancing, sheep dog herding, and of course the athletic events---and more clan and association tents than one person can visit. There is even a chapel booth with a resident chaplain.

The weather is always pleasant then, cool enough to wear wool kilts and jackets comfortably. All sorts of Scottish events are held before, during and after the games---country dancing, clan society meetings, celiedhs, both the locals and out of towners carrying on like yard dogs in the Stone Mountain campground, or so I have heard. For the more restrained there is a motel in the park.

Also, Atlanta's international airport is easy to get to, said to be the largest in the world. As we say here, if you die on the eastern seaboard, you can't get to heaven without changing planes in Atlanta.

Now that we've all voted for our hometowns, I'm gonna go with Gilmore and second the idea of having a get-together at a Highland Games. If I'm gonna commit the time and money to drive (or God forbid fly) hundreds of miles for a get together, I'd like it to be at an event like that. There would be plenty for us to do and see besides just a dinner and drinks etc..

http://www.electricscotland.com/gath...tone/index.htm

http://www.smhg.org/