West Virginia Scottish Games and Festival

**David Thorpe** · 19th March 13, 04:02 PM

West Virginia Games and Festival, Bridgeport, WV, May 2-4 (<= link to Facebook page)
If you are within driving distance and have never been to this one, mark your calendar, get your tickets and gas up your ride.
I attend several Games every year, and this one is my very favorite.
The setting is awesome - a glen in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia. From the parking area, you walk across a stone bridge over a wee burn onto the grounds. The solo piping judging stations are scattered around the periphery on the surrounding hillsides, so all day long the pipes echo through the glen.
There is something for just about everyone - solo and band pipe and drum competition, Highland dance competition, sheep dog trials, heavy athletics, Celtic entertainers of several genre, Single Malt tastings, vendors galore, clan tents, and on and on.
Stop by the Clan Mactavish tent and say "Hi".

**OC Richard** · 11th April 13, 06:16 AM

I'll be there! I missed last year, but I usually fly out from California every year to attend.

I'm originally from WV and I combine a visit to all my hillbilly relatives with a visit to the Bridgeport Games.

Here's my report from the 2011 Games; as David says the setting is lovely

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-2011-a-66344/

This year I'm doing something a bit different, visiting Gettysburg on Friday, staying there Friday night, and driving to Bridgeport early Saturday. (I'm a Civil War buff and Bridgeport is halfway between my Mom's near Charleston and Gettysburg. My grandfather's grandfather was in the 7th West Virginia Cavalry, in Company I which was raised in Wyoming County, my family's epicenter.)

**David Thorpe** · 11th April 13, 06:44 AM

I look forward to meeting you, Richard.
I too have some deep local roots, in neighboring Doddridge County.

**OC Richard** · 13th April 13, 02:49 PM

I looked up Doddridge County, which I'd not heard of before. Bad on me!

My ancestor, John Cooke, came to Virginia in 1762, fought on the rebel side in the Revolution, and after the war was given a large land grant on the Guyandotte River, he and his family becoming the "first settlers" of what was to become Wyoming County. The area is in the region of the towns of Pineville and Oceana. Pineville has a statue of another relative William H H Cook (they dropped the "e"). Numerous relatives served in Co I, 7th WV Cav.

Other first families in the area were Scots, the MacDonalds and the Stewarts, with which the Cooks intermarried, so I have various strains of Scottish blood. (John Cooke himself, though born in London, was Scottish according to our family's tradition. Who knows?)

Anyhow my family has been in West Virginia before there was a West Virginia!

**David Thorpe** · 28th April 13, 03:04 AM

The blind guys at the Weather Channel throwing darts at the long-range forecast board are predicting Scottish weather for Saturday - 50s and showers. What could be more perfect for a day in a glen nestled in the Appalachians? Looking forward to crossing the bridge over the wee burn, hearing the solo pipers' tunes echoing down from the hillsides.

**denmcdough** · 28th April 13, 06:58 AM

A bit of correction on the date...it's from 5/3 to 5/5. Can't believe it's here almost. It was two years ago when I first attended. How did the time fly so fast???

Anyway, I hope to attend this year (not 100% sure at present), as I missed last year, also. If I go, I'll be looking for you, again, Richard.

In fact, you'll be driving right past here on your way from Gettysburg to Bridgeport. I'm located in PA, west of the Pittsburgh area, in the Laurel Highlands. It will take us about 1.5 -2 hours to drive south. Unfortunately, getting to Morgantown, WV is a pain, as the mountain roads are twisty. Once we get on the main highway, 79, it'll go fast. Hope to see Richard and David there.

**OC Richard** · 28th April 13, 07:20 AM

Yay! Just checked the forecast and it says 70 and partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain! I'll take that any day.

Time to start making the hard decisions as to what to pack... kilt yes, Argyll jacket hmmm... maybe a lightweight rain jacket instead, just in case.

**Mark R** · 29th April 13, 11:02 AM

David, was actually able to get into the event as a vendor. Will look for you there.

**David Thorpe** · 1st May 13, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mark R

David, was actually able to get into the event as a vendor. Will look for you there.

Glad to hear it, Mark. If you don't find me, I'll find you.

We're heading that way tomorrow afternoon (one of the few advantages of being retired). Going to the ceilidh Friday night and then to the Games on Saturday. Weather forecast looks great!