The 41st Virginia Scottish Games were held Labor Day Weekend. I convened the Clan tent for Clan MacCallum – Malcolm Society. It always a fun time to find new kith & kin and help others understand a bit more of their Scottish heritage. It’s a great time to meet and socialize with the XMTS Rabble.
The first visitors who came by was XMTS Leatherneck Donald and a bud of his.
I hear a voice looking for an Ern Malcolm and I would have a special meeting with the The KiltedKnome’s nephew Mike and his children.
My tent location gave us a good view of the Games:
For our afternoon Meet Up we did our best attempt of the Hamish pose.
Left to right; MC, Geoff Withnell, Sir William (Bill Johnson), New World Czech (Kevin Cernoch), Mark Ellis, John Elliott and the non-kilt wearer from Glasgow Greg Fleming.
I was very busy at the tent with kin and inquires of Clan information. I was assisted by the lovely Sharon.
David the Founder of the InFamous Welsh Cookie Company took a break at our tent and shared he was heading for a sell out for the day.
On Sunday, Madadh (Rob Malone) came by for a visit. The day was hot and muggy and he wisely left his lads cool at home.
I met Bill, Sir William at the Hospitality tent to enjoy some imbibition.
The visitors at the tent had slacken so I took the opportunity for a walkabout.
I ended my walkabout at Bill’s tent and along with his Appin friend Dan, Sir William gave us a lovely Scotch tasting.
Back at my tent our local pipe band The Mary Washington Eagle Pipe Band went by.
The Sunday Meet Up of XMarkers would have Sir William join me.
The Games dismissed the Clans and Vendors a little early as a line of powerful thunderstorms were head our way. My kith of the Gordon’s and Donnachaidh’s Clans assisted me in quick get away.
A fantastic weekend!
Last edited by Mael Coluim; 2nd September 14 at 08:27 AM.
I was at the Virginia Games (Alexandria right?) c1978.
I seem to recall the Games being fairly large and there was certainly a pipe band competition with a fair few pipe bands, as we competed in both G3 and in G2 and there were a number of other bands competing in these grades.
Presumably the photos don't capture the entire field/area; but has the Games diminished in size/turnout over the years?
I certainly remember having had a good time at the Virginia Highland Games!
I was at the Virginia Games (Alexandria right?) c1978.
I seem to recall the Games being fairly large and there was certainly a pipe band competition with a fair few pipe bands, as we competed in both G3 and in G2 and there were a number of other bands competing in these grades.
Presumably the photos don't capture the entire field/area; but has the Games diminished in size/turnout over the years?
I certainly remember having had a good time at the Virginia Highland Games!
The location was moved a few years ago from Alexandria to The Plains. The new site has lots of room for clans, vendors, athletics, entertainment, music and dance competition, living history, classic cars, country dancing, and lots more. Above all, it has LOTS of parking space. On Saturday the visitor parking lot held at least 700-800 cars, with room for several hundred more (yes, it's that big).
On Saturday we had a very large attendance and I talked to several vendor friends who said business was very good. Slight decline on Sunday but still a good turnout.
Last edited by Sir William; 2nd September 14 at 12:33 PM.
Virginia Commissioner, Elliot Clan Society, USA
Adjutant, 1745 Appin Stewart Regiment
Scottish-American Military Society
US Marine (1970-1999)
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