Grandfather Mountain Games

[MACKAY]

I have attended many a Highland Game over the years, but have never ventured down to the big one out here in the East ... the Grandfather Mountain Games in NC. I was wondering if anyone has attended this event on prior occasions, and if so, would you be willing to write a short review?

I am considering attending, and have been tossing around perhaps getting an "X-Marks" campsite started. Also, has anyone ever thought to put up a Clan X-Marks tent at a Highland event?

Brian Mackay

[Southern Breeze]

I'm planning on attending myself. A X-Marks Campsite sounds interesting.

[Mike n NC]

I have attended many a Highland Game over the years, but have never ventured down to the big one out here in the East ... the Grandfather Mountain Games in NC. I was wondering if anyone has attended this event on prior occasions, and if so, would you be willing to write a short review?

I am considering attending, and have been tossing around perhaps getting an "X-Marks" campsite started. Also, has anyone ever thought to put up a Clan X-Marks tent at a Highland event?

Brian Mackay

Last year was the first for me and it was the 50th anniversery. They said there were 20,000 in attendance the day I was there. Wow!

It is a large venue and with that many people there it seemed a bit hard to get around and see all the sights and we were some distance from the event field. That was improved by hopping a seat at the clan tent, other than that it was great fun. The number and selection of vendors was also pretty impressive.

You might think that with that many people there transportaion would be a problem but with bus service to the field (longest ride being from Boone, about 20 minutes) but it wasn't really an issue and not one you are going to face if camping there.

Mike

[Mike n NC]

I'm planning on attending myself. A X-Marks Campsite sounds interesting.

Sounds like maddness to me...I'd pay a dollar to see that.

Mike

[Kiltedmusiclover]

I was wondering if anyone has attended this event on prior occasions, and if so, would you be willing to write a short review?

Here goes:
I have been camping 4 of the last 6 years. I have had fun each time.
There are 2 camp grounds the curfew side11pm and the McRowdy side 1am curfew.
I always camp with the curfew side and then when I want to party late I walk over to McRowdy.
They are actually opening the camp ground 2 days earlier than usual on Friday June 30th.
So I expect more campers will be in earlier this year because it is the week of the 4th.


They call the camping primitive which means no hookups for the camper trailers.
Portapotties are it, but they clean them out twice a day so they are pretty clean.
You can get water for a hook up to a camper or a hose for your camp site.
The key is to come early to get close to the water hookups.
Hot showers (I use the term extremely loosely, I should really say lukewarm)
are available from 6am to 9am and 6pm to 9pm.

If you do not mind this kind of camping then you can have a blast.
There aren’t many hotel rooms nearby.
Boone and Blowing Rock are about the closest areas(about an 30 to 45 minute drive.)
I recommend camping over trying to drive in each day.
One day is fine.


As Mike mentioned, Saturday is the big day for folks to attend.
I usually attend as many events and concerts as I can on Friday.

I pick and choose on Saturday.
Sunday is another good day attend as much as you can.

I will be glad to to try to answer any questions you have.

I am considering attending, and have been tossing around perhaps getting an "X-Marks" campsite started. Also, has anyone ever thought to put up a Clan X-Marks tent at a Highland event?

Brian Mackay

No Xmarks tent yet.
We have had maybe 8 members at GFMt at one time but we saw each other here and there.
The getting a clan tent is kind of pricey.
If we had several who were splitting the cost we sure could look at it.

[Jeremiah]

Depending on if our usual family vacation occurs, my sister and I are looking to attend this event as well.

[clancelt]

We got a hotel in Boone this past year due to a new member in the family, she was only 1 year old. I didn't think the camp grounds were the right way to break her in

The hotel worked out, lot of our clan were there. We had a good steak house next door and made that our nightly dinner stop. Even here, this close to GM a group of kilted men drew attention. I even had more than a couple locals ask me what was up with all the people in kilts!!! Stopped at that old general store outside of Boone and actually had a lady stop me and ask if I would take a picture with her, wife there and all. She then tells me she is a local and a MacDonald, but has never been to the games.. pretty wild.

Anyway, if you can camp it's a blast. Get there early or you'll camp in the mud if you can find a campsite at all.

A note about the hotels, unless you work a deal before hand expect to pay out your **** for a room and book it early. Most of the hotels and B&Bs close by are sold out early. We tried to book a B&B in early Jan and couldn't find one. Hotels are still a easy find up until early may.

It's a great game to go to, albeit a bit costly.

We will be standing this one out this year and heading to the Loch Norman games. Same feal, little cheaper.

There is a lot to do around GM, and it's very pretty. We took our daughter to the Tweetsie railroad and had a blast, I think that counts as one of the oddest "Hey lets check that out" moments I've ever had just cruzin down the highway. (If you have kids and add that to your GM todo list, make sure to ride the old ferris wheel. It'll scare ya!)

[macsim]

Looks like I'll miss Friday this year due to my new job. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend trying to get a tent. There are simply too many tents now and a couple of years ago our clan ended up on the hill all by ourselves because the application got lost in the mail. Also, if you come check road conditions. I just saw that Hwy 421 will be undergoing construction throughout the summer and 321 is frequently closed these days for various repairs from all the mudslides and bad weather a while back. Hopefully the DOT will keep things moving for this large event.

Tell you what though....if anyone here wants to use our tent as a "home base" feel free to do so. I offer you the hospitality of the Clan Fraser tent. We try to get 2 tents each year and if you don't have a clan to call your own we'll adopt you. I'm sure the society would accept any donations to help defray the cost (it's $250 per tent) but regardless, bring some food and come on by and visit. (It's sort of like homecoming at your friendly neighborhood Baptist church....you bring a dish to put on the table and you get to try everything everyone else brought.) The tentative plan right now is that someone else will be there on Friday to at least put up the banner and set up a minimal display and then I'll come in Saturday for the rest of the event. I did manage to meet up with 2 guys from X Marks last year but perhaps a central meeting place would be a good idea.

I'll try to post again as the weekend draws near. GMHG is what it is - a humongous event that is worth the effort but please understand the inconvenience you may experience with travel, accomodations, cost, weather and crowds.

[Jerry]

I've always wanted to attend this event, but I think I'll haave to pass due to my wife's health issues (COPD). July in NC is very hot and she can't yake a lot of walking in that heat. s for myseldf I can't handle it as well as i once was able to either.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

If anyone needs some help with research on places to stay just let know.
I will give you some details on the area.
If you are camping or going for the day remember the
Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared"
It usually is quite comfortable on the Mt. but a summer Thunderstorm is
always a possibility. So a Good raincoat is highly recommended.
It you are going up for the Celtic Jam on Friday night I would be prepared for
some cool weather. I have seen it be 55 and Foggy.