Scottish Festival Peeves?

[Vegan Scot]

Just got back from the local Highland games here in Utah. Saw a few things that made me chuckle (especially when I walked past bathroom mirrors ). Thought I'd post a lighthearted poll to see which of the following the Rabble regarded as the most grievous (and/or common) offenses one could commit. I'm sure I've left out some particularly egregious faux pas so feel free to add on or elaborate!

[kid icarus]

one of my all-time favorites is the viking guy that shows up to the chicago games every year. he gets pretty drunk in the beer tent.

[Verlyn]

I was at a Scottish themed weekend at the Maryland Ren Faire and saw a guy in a fantastic formal outfit with a beautiful kilt ... on backwards.

[auld argonian]

one of my all-time favorites is the viking guy that shows up to the chicago games every year. he gets pretty drunk in the beer tent.

Of course he gets drunk...he's a Viking! And I have to ask some of the other Chicago rabble...wasn't that Viking guy at Celtic Fest this year?

You want my (long) list of pet peeves? Anybody wearing one of those poofy sleeve, laced up, utterly anachronistic "highlander" shirts; white hose on anybody who isn't a highland dancer; five foot high fifteen year old boys dragging a six foot long sword around behind them; those numpty ren-faire hooligan types who show up in ninety degree heat all wrapped in fur and leather with twenty-odd edged weapons strapped to themselves and what looks like terminal sunburn from spending waaaay too much time out acting like Robin Hood and his Merry Men; anybody who is not wearing a kilt; anybody who's wearing a checkered tablecloth wrapped around their middle and is pretending that it's a kilt; the dumbkoff who showed up at Celtic Fest with the basting stitches still in the kilt.

Waiting in line at the beer tent. Inadequate areas of shade....most of us are frickin' pale skinned, fer heaven's sake! Bagpipers acting like it's all about them. Everybody showing up for the caber toss and then not sticking around for the sheaf toss. Crappy food.

The good stuff? Listening to some remarkable pipe bands. Watching the guys on the golf course next door get thrown off their game by the sound of the pipes...and just where do you think your little game was invented?

Best part...seeing so many Xmarksers in their finery...that makes the goofy stuff way worth while.

Best

AA


and PS one more nice thing: chicks in kilts...I know that it's been debated hotly here before but I still think it's dead sexy.

[artificer]

Of course he gets drunk...he's a Viking! And I have to ask some of the other Chicago rabble...wasn't that Viking guy at Celtic Fest this year?

"You blame me, and I blame the viking, but I'm pretty sure that answer just isn't to your liking". -Ceann; a great Celt-pop music band. Also the creators of "Worst Pirate In The World". They're supposed to be a great show.

and PS one more nice thing: chicks in kilts...I know that it's been debated hotly here before but I still think it's dead sexy.

I think it's officially called a "strappy school-girl skirt", and yes, it is dead sexy

Seriously though, apart from the LARPers and Mel Gibson wanna-bes, wouldn't it be kinder and more productive to help educate those misguided 'backward kilters' and 'basting stitch' wearers?

Long lines at the beer tent are a pisser though. The lack of shade doesn't bother me, I tan nicely and my hair bleaches white in the sun, but I do need to avoid splitting headaches.

[Zardoz]

I picked other.
I don't think I've personally seen a pirate at a Highland games, but I do always notice what I call the "I own all this stuff, I'm gonna wear it" guys cruising around the field in their formal kit they drag out twice a year.
But I got past getting really worked up over the way other people might dress after high school.
You do see a lot of different "variations" of Highland attire at games, and I'm sure the worst of them are being worn by folks just as grimly determined that their versions are as correct as others think they are wrong.

[piperdbh]

Fairies and dragons.

[Rex_Tremende]

Long lines at the beer tent are a pisser though.

These just lead to long lines elsewhere, and they're the real pissers.

[beloitpiper]

Bagpipers acting like it's all about them.

Wait...what?

[Michael Flemming]

those numpty ren-faire hooligan types who show up in ninety degree heat all wrapped in fur and leather with twenty-odd edged weapons strapped to themselves and what looks like terminal sunburn from spending waaaay too much time out acting like Robin Hood and his Merry Men;

I think I have to speak in defense of the Clan Young crowd here. At the least, you must admit they are a nice friendly bunch always willing to share their booze and space in their tent for anyone who wants to get out of the sun for a bit.

For those who haven't seen them, try to imagine The Road Warrior set in a future post-Apocalyptic Highlands. This mob will parade around waving a vast collection of oversize edged weapons and hoarsely shouting their battle cry

We Drink!