Highland Games in Scotland

[AcuteEnigma]

How many different clan tents are usually at a Highland Games *IN* Scotland? I was at the games in Newtonmore and there was only the McPherson tent and at the games in Halkirk, there were two tents, the Gunns and the Sinclairs.

[AcuteEnigma]

Here is a really nice interactive map of Scottish Highland Games in Scotland:
http://www.shga.co.uk/map.php

[davidlpope]

How many different clan tents are usually at a Highland Games *IN* Scotland? I was at the games in Newtonmore and there was only the McPherson tent and at the games in Halkirk, there were two tents, the Gunns and the Sinclairs.

Few have clan tents. Though it's been quite a while, the last time I went to Scotland the Games had no clan tents. I suspect that it is an Americanism ( though not a bad one) that has emigrated to Scotland. They're more common at Diaspora-targeted events, like The Homecoming.

[Jock Scot]

Few have clan tents. Though it's been quite a while, the last time I went to Scotland the Games had no clan tents. I suspect that it is an Americanism ( though not a bad one) that has emigrated to Scotland. They're more common at Diaspora-targeted events, like The Homecoming.

This sums it up pretty well, I would say. The thought occurs to me, why would there be clan tents at our own Highland games, when one way or another we are surrounded by Scotland on a day to day basis, with family , schools, etc., etc., where we cannot fail to pick up, often unknowingly, most of the general Scottishness that the rest of the world may seek if they are interested enough. Now the in depth Clan stuff, does depend on how interested a particular individual is and his family, but again, much of the detail will be picked up from passing, off the cuff comments, that many families have during the course of a general conversation. In short, we pick up most of what you chaps seek from a Clan tent-----I think, as I don't really know what goes on in a Clan tent!------without even knowing it.

[ThistleDown]

At the Newtonmore Games there's the Macpherson tent because that's where the locals welcome their own and visitors. At the Moy Game Fair there's the Clan Chattan tent just beside Moy Hall to provide hospitality to the neighbours (including Jock) and clansfolk alike. At Aboyne, look to the Gordons; at Oban look to the Campbell fly. Don't try to create a similarity between New World and Scottish 'Highland Games' because they are vastly different. Ask what a Highland gathering IS.

[Jock Scot]

Aha! The messege got through then, Rex?

[ThistleDown]

Yes, it did, Jock and just the Sunday after, too. My sincere apologies for not responding sooner. It has been a trying year but we'll be together again in the next, for sure.

[Jock Scot]

"Trying years" are best avoided in my experience!Let's hope the next is trial free for you.

[ThistleDown]

Thank you, Jock. Let's try for next year at Moy or, even better, at the Lock or the Bothy in the Spring.

[Jock Scot]

Sounds good Rex. Yes, sounds good.