2013 Chicago Scots Highland Games are this weekend in Itasca

**McFarkus** · 10th June 13, 12:26 PM

The 27th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games are this weekend - Friday evening and all day Saturday. I'll be there on Saturday. Anyone else going? More information here

**MacTavishOfJapan** · 15th June 13, 08:05 AM

We're just heading there now. Good Scottish weather for the games!

**NorseCelt** · 16th June 13, 08:05 PM

It was great meeting you, McFarkus.

**hylander** · 18th June 13, 10:59 AM

I too was there, had a great time, despite the weather. Saw the parade of attire that would make most Xmarkers wince. My favorite was the highlander/viking/renfaire warrior in a priate/ghillie shirt and ultilikilt, armed to the teeth with swords, knives and axes, and requisite drinking horn of course.

**McFarkus** · 19th June 13, 06:56 AM

I enjoyed meeting you too NorseCelt. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up during the year some time.

and Hylander, there are always costumes that make one's teeth ache a bit. I shudder sometimes at the kilts worn low, slung around the hips, with the bottom somewhere at mid calf.

**hylander** · 19th June 13, 08:41 AM

Agreed sir, I saw a lot of midi's being worn, but that I can even justify that as an attempt by the first time wearer to don the kilt, and there seem to be quite a few first time kilt wearers. The highlander/viking/renfaire warrior are bit harder for me to understand, other than there is a lack of public opportunity to stomp around in their costumes and weapons without too many folks thinking anything of it. I would personally save that for the Renfaire ( although I wouldn't wear a utilikilt as any kind of historic representation of the kilt).

**McFarkus** · 19th June 13, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by hylander

Agreed sir, I saw a lot of midi's being worn, but that I can even justify that as an attempt by the first time wearer to don the kilt, and there seem to be quite a few first time kilt wearers. The highlander/viking/renfaire warrior are bit harder for me to understand, other than there is a lack of public opportunity to stomp around in their costumes and weapons without too many folks thinking anything of it. I would personally save that for the Renfaire ( although I wouldn't wear a utilikilt as any kind of historic representation of the kilt).

With regard to the Vikings - they were early occupiers/immigrants of Scotland. One of my many times great-grandfathers is Thorfinn the Skullsplitter - Viking Jarl of Orkney. So I can tolerate a bit of Viking paraphernalia at a Highland games.

**hylander** · 19th June 13, 11:37 AM

Agreed, I love and celebrate the Viking connection (the sporran I am currently working on has Viking elements), it's just the mish mash of styles, eras, et al that is off putting to my eye. But, that being said, it did not deter me in the least from having a great time at the games. It was a great day!