I am a wee bit puzzled about the Stone Mountain Games. To the best of my knowledge and what I can gather from their website these are held at Stone Mountain Park outside Atlanta, and events are centered on the "Meadow" portion of the park. The games' website provides no maps or other specific locations, addresses, etc... Okay, I move over to the Stone Mountain Park website and there is a lovely map of the park, but no mention of or obvious "meadow" identifiable on thier map. Then I go to their "events" schedule for October 15-17 and there is no mention of the Stone Mountain Highland games during those dates.

So, am I crazy, or what? Are these games indeed held at THE Stone Mountain Park (the big one outside Atlanta with the Confederate Generals' Sculpture and everything), and if so where in the park are they held, particularly in relation to the Marriott Stone Mountain Inn (my preferred choice of lodging)?

Dazed and confused.

jeff

Yes, the games are held in the park. If you look on the map, they are held right across from the large parking lot towards the bottom of the map, near the park exit.

They'd better be there! Perhaps I'll see you there!
I've always just gone with my dad who's been going since my mom was pregnant with me. So I've never thought to try and look up the directions...

Okay, so if I am reading the map correctly (the map is actually inverted with south at the top and west to the right) you would be talking about the "Yellow Daisy Lot" just inside the North Gate with the games themselves held in the greenspace across Old Hugh Howell Road where the letter M is on the map, adjacent to the Police and Emergency Medical stations. Thanks for fixing that issue for me. It is a big park with a lot of stuff going on, so I bet I could easily get lost without trying too hard.

This will be my first time to these games, chosen becasue they are the home games for my small clan who will have a tent there, the Forresters, who I joined less than two years ago. We are planning on staying in the park at the Stone Mountain Inn so we will theoretically within easy walking distance to and from the hotel and games for all day Saturday, so our son can take his afternoon nap out of the heat and sun. Looks to be fun from the website listings. I will be there in Forrester, just not sure whether it will be Modern or Hunting (two entirely different tartan patterns you would never guess were related), and am hoping to have a new kilt for my son finished in time for the games too. Wondering if there is an Xmarks meet up planned for these things or not. I know I will be meeting a whole lot of new, albeit distant, cousins at the Clan Forrester tent.
Will keep my eye open for familiar faces among the vendors---expect to see at least Matt there somewhere.

Thanks again for the update and info. Now time to plan the trip.


jeff

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Originally Posted by ForresterModern

Okay, so if I am reading the map correctly (the map is actually inverted with south at the top and west to the right) you would be talking about the "Yellow Daisy Lot" just inside the North Gate with the games themselves held in the greenspace across Old Hugh Howell Road where the letter M is on the map, adjacent to the Police and Emergency Medical stations. Thanks for fixing that issue for me. It is a big park with a lot of stuff going on, so I bet I could easily get lost without trying too hard.

This will be my first time to these games, chosen becasue they are the home games for my small clan who will have a tent there, the Forresters, who I joined less than two years ago. We are planning on staying in the park at the Stone Mountain Inn so we will theoretically within easy walking distance to and from the hotel and games for all day Saturday, so our son can take his afternoon nap out of the heat and sun. Looks to be fun from the website listings. I will be there in Forrester, just not sure whether it will be Modern or Hunting (two entirely different tartan patterns you would never guess were related), and am hoping to have a new kilt for my son finished in time for the games too. Wondering if there is an Xmarks meet up planned for these things or not. I know I will be meeting a whole lot of new, albeit distant, cousins at the Clan Forrester tent.
Will keep my eye open for familiar faces among the vendors---expect to see at least Matt there somewhere.

Thanks again for the update and info. Now time to plan the trip.


jeff

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There's always an Xmarks meetup at Stone Mountain, so far as I know, though I'm afraid that this coming year will be my first time attending. That said, I'm generally chained to the STM tent for the duration of the games, so I do have a (weak)excuse. :lol:

It's a great time, and you'll find it well worth the trip, I'm sure!

EDIT: And don't worry- once you get inside the park, there will be no missing the Meadow. Signs and crowds everywhere.

Thanks Ryan. Since you, and probably Matt, will be shackled to the STM tent, perhaps the xmarks meetup should occur there or nearby to be able to include you both.

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Originally Posted by ForresterModern

Thanks Ryan. Since you, and probably Matt, will be shackled to the STM tent, perhaps the xmarks meetup should occur there or nearby to be able to include you both.

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Hey, that sounds awesome to me! Someplace within earshot might be a bit better than at the tent proper, as we tend to accumulate quite a crowd of shoppers and tartan seekers, at any given time.

We can all put some thought into it and see what we come up with. :)

Jeff,
Once you enter the park they have plenty of signs to get you to the games. And they also have lots of other things going on that you'll want to check out.
Look forward to seeing everyone there again this year.

My wife and I are on the grounds committee. We will see if the webmaster can add a map and some directions to the site. See you there!!!:piper:

I doubt I will be there, but Turpin will probably be at the Gordon tent, being convenor of House of Gordon, as well as quite a few other local X Markers too numerous to mention. It's a great time to meet X Markers from all over. We sometimes have dinner at the German restaurant in the town of Stone Mountain, and some, even locals, enjoy camping, with singing and camaraderie.

I went to Stone Mountain once back in 1996 and I really enjoyed it.

It's so very interesting for a West Coast Highland Games veteran to see how differently things are done back East.

About the OP's issues with trying to match up the information that the Games people provide with information available online, I've run into that several times with various Games out here.

Thing is, Games websites tend to be run by people who have been going to those Games for years, local people. The trouble comes when:

1) they continue to use the old name for a venue, the name of which has been changed at some point. Sure, all the locals still call it by the old name, but only the new name shows up on maps, Google, etc.

2) they use a name for a venue which has never been the official name, but rather a local nickname or some such. This local name likewise doesn't appear on maps, Google, etc.

With one local Games here, not only did the Games website call the Park the Games was always held at by the wrong name (a local nickname which did not appear on any map) but the address given for the Park's location was actually the address of the offices of the local Parks and Recreation Department, downtown, miles away from the park itself!

Both problems had gone unnoticed for years because the same locals went to the Games every year and no one had ever checked the website information for accuracy.

I alerted the organisers about it but I don't know if they ever did anything. It wasn't a problem in their eyes.

Another local Games likewise stated that their Games were held at such-and-such a park, Googling it revealing that no such-named park existed.

Turns out that it's a huge park, which is called one name on all the maps, but locals have different local nicknames for the various sections of the park, which do not appear on any map. It's one of these local names that appeared on all the Games literature and on their website.

I will certainly be there again this year. I will spend some time at the Campbell tent but the rest of my time will be visiting and shopping.

We will be reserving our camp-site this week. I have been going to these games since 1982 and they have changed a bit. I so miss the Tattoo but still love the games.

We have had our campground reservations in since last year

Please ignore previous message

Ahhhh......My home town games! AND I'm also a SMHG tattoo veteran 3 times!

Strange though on a sad note. The 80's and 90's were absolute the height of times for these games. I went 2 years ago and was shocked to notice the downsize in bands and people.....Oh well, ups and downs i guess.

ALSO-Some advice for some of you who will be traveling and staying close to the games. Stone Mountain and Snellville aren't the greatest of places neighborhood wise (Not so much Snellville). If you are staying in Stone Mountain, DO NOT STAY AT ANY HOTEL ON MEMORIAL Dr. . My advice is to stay in the little town in decatur which is about 15 miles away, but a straight shot to the park. Decatur is (Where I actually grew up) is a cross between Mayberry and Berkeley and is really nice. There is an unusually nice Holiday in in the Decatur downtown square that would be perfect for anyone traveling. lots of food / bar (Eddies attic is 2 blocks away from the H.I.-This is where john mayer was door man and got his start singing....not that that matters.)

Anyway-Enjoy the games-It will be beautiful that time of year!

I will be there for sure again this year, it is my most favorite games. Are we having our usual meet up on Friday nite at the German Restaurant in Stone Mountain proper? It was a grand time last year
and I think we should start planning it again for this year.

I for one am looking forward to seeing lots of ol friends and new ones too!

NorCalPiper. I too grew up in the Decatur area. (Shamrock High) Anyway. I look forward to the games. I agree Decatur is a good place to stay and offers easy access to the park.

JolyStNicholas: I'm game for a kilted night at the German restaurant. Any other interested, let us know.

:toast:

Leprechaun-91 :dands1:

I thought we did the pub in Conyers on Friday and the German place on Saturday? Either way I'm looking forward to being back and seeing everyone again.

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Originally Posted by Leprechaun-91

NorCalPiper. I too grew up in the Decatur area. (Shamrock High) Anyway. I look forward to the games. I agree Decatur is a good place to stay and offers easy access to the park.

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Wow, Shamrock High... haven't heard that name in a while. I graduated from Druid Hills. Small world for sure.

That Friday and Saturday schedual sounds right to me. We had a grand time at each last year and I hope we can have the same this year. Looking forward to it fer sure!

Well....I went to GRADY high. We lived right at the Ponce/Scott Blvd split pn the Ponce side, so I was literally 15ft ineligible to go to Druid hills OR Decatur High. Those from Atlanta will appreciate the meaning of having to go to Grady High School.

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Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

Well....I went to GRADY high. We lived right at the Ponce/Scott Blvd split pn the Ponce side, so I was literally 15ft ineligible to go to Druid hills OR Decatur High. Those from Atlanta will appreciate the meaning of having to go to Grady High School.

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Oh, yeah... my oldest sister went to Grady...

I certainly do. BUT... You did get Kurt Phillips from Shamrock. (He was an awesome history teacher we had.)

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Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

Well....I went to GRADY high. We lived right at the Ponce/Scott Blvd split pn the Ponce side, so I was literally 15ft ineligible to go to Druid hills OR Decatur High. Those from Atlanta will appreciate the meaning of having to go to Grady High School.

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:hooray:Hey Y'all...

I'm a new member to XMS even though I've been reading Y'alls Postings for months... Couldn't stand not being a member of yer Clan anymore, so I just had to join up. I'm a Southern Kelted Kusin from around Atlanta, Georgia and I practically live in Stone Mountain Park during my free time. I've been to the Highland Games at the Rock before, but since I didn't know you fine folks at XMS existed, I never really knew anybody there except for my family members. So I was just wondering if XMS has a Tent or a place for Members to gather at the Games??? I would sure like to meet with any of Y'all out there and expecally any of Y'all that live in the local Atlanta area.

Hope to be able to meet Y'all there...

Dixiedog:piper:

Oh MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


...I'll have to miss the second half of Saturday at the games. I'll be taking a certification test, and that was the last date for the year. :(

@ Dixiedog: Forst let me say WECLOME TO XMARKS. :welcome:

We often meet up at the Gordon Tent a few times throughout the weekend. There are a few othr gatherings too. (Read this thread from the beginning.)

I will be camping in the park this year and plan on helping out with the Campbell tent some. I think it would be great to have an X-Marks tent, but the expense and waiting list would likely be prohibitive. Matt (MAC) Newsome is often a good host when he is not tied up.

Again, Welcome to the family. We look forward to meeting you at the games.

BTW... I will be wearing my "Dandelion" as a hackel again this year. Any other X-Markers wearing theirs?

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Originally Posted by Dixiedog

:hooray:Hey Y'all...

I'm a new member to XMS even though I've been reading Y'alls Postings for months... Couldn't stand not being a member of yer Clan anymore, so I just had to join up. I'm a Southern Kelted Kusin from around Atlanta, Georgia and I practically live in Stone Mountain Park during my free time. I've been to the Highland Games at the Rock before, but since I didn't know you fine folks at XMS existed, I never really knew anybody there except for my family members. So I was just wondering if XMS has a Tent or a place for Members to gather at the Games??? I would sure like to meet with any of Y'all out there and expecally any of Y'all that live in the local Atlanta area.

Hope to be able to meet Y'all there...

Dixiedog:piper:

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Of course! That's a sure way of knowing WHO'S WHO!

I am planning on leaving Thursday early and getting to my hotel sometime early afternoon. Unless things have changed we will be meeting up Friday
afternoon/evening as we did last year with Brother Jim Hosting at his Favorite Pub.{someone jump in here with the name} I'm having a senior moment!

I will be up for a thursday evening get together with any others who are in the area, dinner? Pub Crawl? what ever!

Opps almost forgot, WELCOME from Central Florida!

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Originally Posted by ForresterModern

...the map is actually inverted with south at the top and west to the right...

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This is a pet peeve of mine, and especially of my wife, who is a cartographer by profession.

In North America, North should always be towards the top.

This is not only universal convention, but can be a matter of life and death, when fire and police and other emergency responders depend on maps to get to where they're needed.

In any case it's always helpful if Games committees can make sure the maps that appear on their sites are always correctly oriented. You'll have fewer lost people.

It greaves me deeply to have to miss Stone Mountain this year. I had hoped to host another pre-games gathering in Conyers again, but i will be out of town that weekend, leaving on Thursday and returning Sunday evening.

I hope you have a wonderful time. I shall miss the rabble.

Brother Jim, this is indeed bad news, I so wanted to see, talk and share some time with you this year. So much as transpired over this last year.

We will definately keep you in our thoughts and prayers, and you will be missed. I already have my new Masonic Flask filled with a suprise for you,
so others will have to suffer/enjoy the contents.

Be well and be Blessed my Brother.

Semper Fi.

Wife, the Boy, and I will be arriving sometime Friday afternoonish and will be staying at the older Marriott on the park grounds nearest by the actual games meadow. We would love a Friday night meet up if that is being arranged. I will be wearing the dandelion in my cap on Saturday (thanks Alex)and hanging around the Forrester Clan tent at least for a little while, probably wearing my Forrester Hunting, or maybe the modern. Will probably hang around the STM tent for a little while but if someone is organizing a meet up of xmarkers I will be set with a camera to take a group photo or twelve. Might also hang around the beer tent/truck for a while too in between shopping all the vendors and watching the games and pipers. Not sure what to do for Saturday night, as the boy generally dictates our schedule (still takes naps, like his father). And we are heading back home Sunday morning so will miss all the days activities.


jeff

We still have time to organize get togethers,
we need someweone who lives near there to select a place. Our meet up at the German Restaurant is still on, isn't it? As far as at the games we can meet up at any of the sponcer tents, or the "BEER" tent, or just about any where anyone suggests!

BOSS HOG (Turpin) has always been a most venerable and gracious host in the past. (Gordon Tent) I have not notice him Chiming in on this thread. Anyone know if he is planning to attend?

Darn it!

I'm actually going to be in the area again, but a week AFTER the Games! Talk about painful. The good note is, I'll be back in the area again! I loved my first visit to Madison last year and looking forward to having coffee again at my favourite coffee shop for a a few days.

Have fun at the games!

My wife and I will be attending the Stone Mt. Games on our honeymoon. She is a great catch. I think we will be arriving Friday afternoon but it may be Saturday depending on what we find to plunder in between Savannah and Stone Mt.

Graham

I'm going to post up me cell number for any one who wants to get together, I will be getting in late on Thursday evening, not sure yet if the Mrs. is coming or not. 407-716-3915 :shock:

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Originally Posted by JolyStNicholas

I'm going to post up me cell number for any one who wants to get together, I will be getting in late on Thursday evening, not sure yet if the Mrs. is coming or not. 407-716-3915 :shock:

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Ditto my cell 502-889-5399 re: evening gatherings for either Friday or Saturday, although I may attend the clan ceilidh Saturday, depending on the circumstances, and the boy (the world revolves around the boy).

jeff

I'll be there again this year. I love these games because there is a heck of a band competition. Hopefully my band and I will have a good run again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ForresterModern

Okay, so if I am reading the map correctly (the map is actually inverted with south at the top and west to the right) you would be talking about the "Yellow Daisy Lot" just inside the North Gate with the games themselves held in the greenspace across Old Hugh Howell Road...

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Aye, Lad. Tis the spot, indeed. Look forward to seeing you all there! :pith:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Leprechaun-91

BOSS HOG (Turpin) has always been a most venerable and gracious host in the past. (Gordon Tent) I have not notice him Chiming in on this thread. Anyone know if he is planning to attend?

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I'll be there, at the tent, both days. I've been too busiy to follow this, so someone let me know what time to expect folks and I'll make sure to be there.