Highland games virgin

**gazbot** · 14th January 13, 05:43 PM

Finally managed to decide on an outfit for the Highland games in August brown tweed argyll, white shirt, club tie, brown day sporan, pocket watch ( a bit formal I know but I like The Duke of Rothsay look!) dark green hose, red flashes, brogues....and a smile! But now to the event itself. Its the Bridge of Allan Games. Never been... What should I expect apart of course from the sport and the music, what food, drink and other things will keep my wife entertained while I enjoy the rest?

Any other good ads to to kilted in Stirling?:-)...

**Cecil** · 14th January 13, 06:34 PM

Hey Gazbot, you can expect lots of folks dressed in all sorts of outfits from Great kilts complete with swords and axes to down to the kilt as worn today. There will be massed bands. Clan marchs. Highland dancing for the lads and ladies. Axe throw, archery. Food and more food. Lots of people hocking there wears. Whisky tastings if you are lucky and have a ticket. And much more. What area is you gathering? We have ours this weekend.

**EagleJCS** · 15th January 13, 02:41 AM

Cecil, The Bridge of Allan Highland Games are in Stirling, Scotland, so there's much less likely a chance Gazbot will be seeing folks wearing swords and axes walking about (from what I gather that's more of an American Highland Games thing). I would guess, based on what I've read here on XMarks about kilt wearing in Scotland, most folk around there would be wearing their regular street clothes, with some few of the organizers and other officials wearing Highland apparel (kilt, etc.).

According to "Welcome to Scotland":

This is the 162nd year of these Traditional Highland games

Special Events: Scottish Wrestling Championship 13st 7lb, Scottish Cycling Grass Track Championship, British Heavyweight Championships.

Largest Pipe Band Contest outside a Major competition: Grades I, II, III, IV. Highland Dancing, Track and Field events, Heavy events, Cycling, Wrestling.

The Games' official website is: http://www.bofagames.com/

**Cecil** · 15th January 13, 02:46 AM

Sorry I over looked the Stirling at the end of the posting. Stateside you can see anything at one of these events.

**Jock Scot** · 15th January 13, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by Cecil

Hey Gazbot, you can expect lots of folks dressed in all sorts of outfits from Great kilts complete with swords and axes to down to the kilt as worn today. There will be massed bands. Clan marchs. Highland dancing for the lads and ladies. Axe throw, archery. Food and more food. Lots of people hocking there wears. Whisky tastings if you are lucky and have a ticket. And much more. What area is you gathering? We have ours this weekend.

I am not a regular visitor to Highland Games in any country and I have not ever been to the one you are intending to go to. So baring that in mind, no, you won't see swords, daggers, axe throwing, archery and there are not a whole row of Clan tents and no combined Clan marches. As a general spectator ---as opposed to competitors in the games and band events------you will be in a minority by wearing the kilt, but don't let that worry you! You will probably have to Que to get in and to get out, get a drink, get food and I am afraid, go to the loo although things seem to be improving on this front. From what I see on this website, "American style" Highland Games are not what you will get in Scotland.

**gazbot** · 15th January 13, 04:28 AM

Sounds great. It's right here in Stirling Scotland. I may be one of few but I am looking forward to being kilted.

The weather this time of year is not conducive to an outdoor games! So we have to wait until the baking sun bets down on Scotland in August!

I am sure I will enjoy it whatever is there.

**Jock Scot** · 15th January 13, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by gazbot

---- So we have to wait until the baking sun bets down on Scotland in August!--------

"Baking sun"???!!!

What's that?

**creagdhubh** · 15th January 13, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

"Baking sun"???!!!

What's that?

***

The sun doesn't really "bake" you in Scotland in August. Though, there are indeed some warm days up north in the Highlands, it's nothing like the heat and humidity we tend to get in the States. It's advisable to pack for all seasons, layering is key. This is mountain weather after all and conditions can change rather quickly and without any warning. Below are a few photos of me in Scotland, specifically in and around Newtonmore, Kingussie and Laggan in Inverness-shire, during the month of August. I try to go every year to attend the annual Clan Macpherson Gathering and Rally in Badenoch.

Hill-walking near Creag Dhubh (I don't always do this whilst kilted as sometimes, it can be quite impractical).

Getting ready for the march from Old Ralia to The Eilan (I am holding the Bratach Uaine, or "The Green Banner" of the Clan Macpherson Association).

The men of the Clan Macpherson on the move!

Having a chat with Lachlan Macpherson of Glentruim and his mother, Lady Glentruim.

Luncheon with our Chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie (seated in the center with Scots Guards neck tie), TD at Lachie Mackintosh's house in Newtonmore.

Cheers,

**imrichmond** · 15th January 13, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

***

The sun doesn't really "bake" you in Scotland in August.

Obviously you weren't sitting in the grade 1 enclosure stands at the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green last August 11th! The sun was relentless. No shade anywhere, not a cloud in the sky. The only relief from the sun was in the overcrowded, standing-room-only beer tent, where it could take up to 40 minutes to get a drink by the time you had queued outside to buy a drink ticket and then queued again inside to get the drink. This sort of weather may not be typical, but it certainly happens. Since most highland games take place in an open field with little to no shade for spectators, I would advise having a sun hat handy just in case.

**creagdhubh** · 15th January 13, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by imrichmond

Obviously you weren't sitting in the grade 1 enclosure stands at the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green last August 11th! The sun was relentless. No shade anywhere, not a cloud in the sky. The only relief from the sun was in the overcrowded, standing-room-only beer tent, where it could take up to 40 minutes to get a drink by the time you had queued outside to buy a drink ticket and then queued again inside to get the drink. This sort of weather may not be typical, but it certainly happens. Since most highland games take place in an open field with little to no shade for spectators, I would advise having a sun hat handy just in case.

You're right, I wasn't (though, I have attended the World's before, yet it was mostly rainy and miserable). And to be fair, I further eluded to the fact that the verb "bake" is fairly subjective and when applied to warm, summertime weather in Scotland and the US, you typically end up with different results. I know there have been some rather hot days in Scotland, I have experienced them, yet I have never experienced anything remotely close to the heat and dreaded humidity felt in some areas of the US. This is all I was saying, mate. Your advice of having a sun hat handy whilst attending a Highland games is sound and I completely agree.

Cheers,