Pleasanton Highland Gathering and Games

**Oberlander** · 7th August 15, 12:52 AM

Greetings X-Markers,

Anyone planning on attending the Caledonian Club of San Francisco’s 150th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games in Pleasanton, CA, September 5-6th, 2015? As I have never been to any kind of highland gathering before, I am looking forward to seeing it and participating.

Regards, Alex

**sailortats** · 7th August 15, 05:11 AM

Alex, I shall definitely be there for both days and I am sure many from the bay area will also be there. You may suffer a little overload as these games have a lot to offer. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking if you take it all in.
Look for those of us that wear a dandelion on our caps as that denotes an xmarker.

**Oberlander** · 7th August 15, 06:25 AM

Thanks, sailortats, for the good advice. I will pace myself, and keep an eye out for the Order of the Dandelion. Very much looking forward to it!

**OC Richard** · 7th August 15, 06:29 AM

I'm sure you will have a great time!

I've been attending these Games since the 1970s, before they were held at Pleasanton.

I'll be there with the Long Beach Fire Department Pipe Band.

It can get very hot- over 100f some years, usually at least between 80f and 90f- with scorching sun, so sun-block, cool comfortable clothes, and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended.

Here's a thread from a few years ago, scroll down the page to see a group photo of a number of XMarkers

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...9-1-2-a-75734/

Here are SailorTats and Yours Truly at Pleasanton a couple years ago, if you spot me definitely come up and say "howdy"! That's our band kit so I will be dressed just like that. (Well, the band kit has a Glengarry, but I wear a big hat when we're not playing.)

BTW my Father-in-Law attended university in Switzerland and lived in Bern for a time. He studied Engineering and worked at a local Engineering firm there after he graduated.

**Oberlander** · 7th August 15, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I'm sure you will have a great time!

I've been attending these Games since the 1970s, before they were held at Pleasanton.

I'll be there with the Long Beach Fire Department Pipe Band.

It can get very hot- over 100f some years, usually at least between 80f and 90f- with scorching sun, so sun-block, cool comfortable clothes, and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended.

Here's a thread from a few years ago, scroll down the page to see a group photo of a number of XMarkers

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...9-1-2-a-75734/

Here are SailorTats and Yours Truly at Pleasanton a couple years ago, if you spot me definitely come up and say "howdy"! That's our band kit so I will be dressed just like that. (Well, the band kit has a Glengarry, but I wear a big hat when we're not playing.)

BTW my Father-in-Law attended university in Switzerland and lived in Bern for a time. He studied Engineering and worked at a local Engineering firm there after he graduated.

Looking forward to it, OC Richard! I'll keep an eye out for your band. A few weeks ago, Bern was almost as hot as California!

**sailortats** · 7th August 15, 07:11 AM

Also Alex, the xmarkers usually meet up at the Clan MacNaughton (MacNachtan) tent right after the Parade of Clans ( 1PM approximately) for a group photo. Hope you can be there with us on either or both days.

**Oberlander** · 7th August 15, 07:46 AM

Sailortats, thanks for the meetup info.

Maybe I'm just not finding it, but is there a master events schedule on their website? I have gone to the individual event listings, and cannot figure out when the gathering of the clans takes place. Is it on Sunday?

**Livingston** · 7th August 15, 03:12 PM

Thank you for mentioning the meetup, Sailortats. I will be there this year to join our West Coast Convener since I have moved up to Commissioner. Everyone is welcome to stop by the Clan MacLea (Livingstone) tent also.

**sailortats** · 7th August 15, 05:10 PM

Alex, I don't think there is any schedule of events on the web but uou will be able to purchase a program right inside the main gate when you show up at the games. I can't seem to recall if the Parade of Clans is just one day or both days but I am sure others will post here and no doubt will tell you.