Lots of Pics from the Wisconsin Highland Games.

[JRB]

My wife, Nicole, and I attended the Wisconsin Highland Games this past weekend. It was the our first Scottish event since we moved to Madison last June. The weather couldn’t have been better. The games were relatively small compared to the games we’ve been used to attending back in the northeast, but they were very well run and we had a great time.

On Saturday I wore my Modern Rose hunting kilt. The tartan reminds me of a regimental tartan so I decided to go with a classic British Raj look with a safari shirt, khaki hose and desert boots.





Desert boots with the plantation crepe soles are just about the most comfortable shoes you can wear.



On Sunday I wore an Anciant Rose Red V.S. kilt made by Barb Tewksbury. More pics of this kilt can be found on this thread here



The first thing we came across were the dogs.





Not so unusual until I saw the ones dressed in their finest highland attire…







I saw another kilted critter there as well…



More to come.

[JRB]

There was a herding demo with border collies that was very impressive. The dog herded sheep straight through the crowd…





In the cultural building there was Scottish Country dancing and a fantastic swordsmanship demonstration with Paul McDonald of the McDonald Academy of Arms in Edinburgh.





Also in the cultural building Nicole found time for high tea…





I had “Highland pasties” which were pasties filled with haggis, neeps and tatties…



Outside the cultural building there was a blacksmithing demo…





More to come

[JRB]

Here is the clan tent area…



…and the parade of clans



I only took a few pics of the heavy athletics. This was the qualifying caber toss competition. The caber was smaller than the actual caber toss.



Some of the interesting offerings for the attendees were an archery range and axe throw.





There was a very good historical weapon and armor talk from a local group called a Knight To Remember.





More to come

[JRB]

The beer and music tent was amusing, especially when a knight and his steed bellied up to the bar!









This gentleman had the coolest tankard around. He made it himself and it was self standing…





This lovely archer was wearing a very unique sporran.



Loved these boots.



One of the bands, the Sandcarvers, featured an electric bassoon.

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It was a fun event. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to find any other X-Markers. Maybe next year we can organize something.

[Omar Zaragoza]

In the cultural building there was Scottish Country dancing and a fantastic swordsmanship demonstration with Paul McDonald of the McDonald Academy of Arms in Edinburgh.

I have the honor to meet Maestro Paul McDonald in person, he is a great fencer, a great master at arms and a good friend.

It was great to saw him in one of your pics!!

[Riverkilt]

I want that kilted badger!!!!

[MacMillans son]

Very nice JRB, thanks for posting.

That fellow's tankard is quite clever, hats off to him. I really appreciated the archery and axe throwing photos, it's nice to see these activities alive, well, and supported across the country. The bizarre acts of a few nuts should not have the power to deny the majority of people access to activities that they safely enjoy! Bravo to your organizers, for recognizing that!!

Cheers!

[DScottHunter]

I was in the second pic, walking away from you in the Wisconsin tartan , black shirt and cane. I'm sorry we didn't meet up. So close yet so far away. Maybe next year. You took some great pics. The pic of the fella tossing the caber, his name is Chris and is a police officer from North Carolina. They come from all over to participate in the games.

[Mael Coluim]

Great pics, JRB! My kinsman Neal McCallum convened our clan tent there.

[Tobus]

This is a very good modern casual look for being at a Highland Games. I like it! But I have to ask about that belt. It's very interesting. I can't say that I've ever seen one like that before. What's the story on it?