2011-12 Photos of the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Games

[SlackerDrummer]

Keep in mind, folks, that what you're looking at are mostly (for lack of a better word) participants at the Gathering. Most of the folks you see at a Highland Games here in the States are spectators regardless of whether or not they are kilted. There are far more spectators in the backgrounds of these photos and I'd bet that they aren't nearly as dressed up as the people featured.

[CMcG]

Firstly, thanks to Kyle for snagging these wonderful photos from the Oban Times.

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Indeed. And do you think any one of them were over-dressed considering the contextual factors of the occasion? I don't think so.

Keep in mind, folks, that what you're looking at are mostly (for lack of a better word) participants at the Gathering. Most of the folks you see at a Highland Games here in the States are spectators regardless of whether or not they are kilted. There are far more spectators in the backgrounds of these photos and I'd bet that they aren't nearly as dressed up as the people featured.

Good point, Kenneth.

To answer Kyle, I don't think anyone in these pics is overdressed, given the context. Could photo sets like these though, in some ways, be considered like a latter day "MacLeay's Highlanders"?

I wonder what the spectators were wearing... how many of them were even wearing the kilt and, of those, how would their look have compared to the people in these photos i.e. participants in the games?

[creagdhubh]

I wonder what the spectators were wearing... how many of them were even wearing the kilt and, of those, how would their look have compared to the people in these photos i.e. participants in the games?

I eluded to this in an earlier post. Some spectators, in which I have seen at the Argyllshire Gathering/Oban Games, are wearing the same style of Highland dress as the "participants," or regular clothes. I have observed a sprinkling of gents wearing the kilt with a jumper and a collared shirt, and some even with a Scottish football jersey. All of which are perfectly acceptable, "to each is own," right? The purpose of this thread is really to highlight the more traditional manner of wearing Highland dress, but naturally, there's no right or wrong here. I simply want everyone to enjoy the photos.

Cheers,

[JSFMACLJR]

Firstly, thanks to Kyle for snagging these wonderful photos from the Oban Times.





Good point, Kenneth.

I wonder what the spectators were wearing... how many of them were even wearing the kilt and, of those, how would their look have compared to the people in these photos i.e. participants in the games?

Well, these photos do show spectators, rather than participants. Most of the men shown here are Members of the Argyllshire Gathering, a social club established in the 19th century for local land-owners.s They are participants only so far as they are in attendance, although a few of the pics do show members who are acting as stewards--volunteer helpers-- of the Gathering. The Members and their family and guests hang out in an area called the Members' Enclosure. The non-member spectators gather on the hill adjacent to the field, or in the grandstand.

And Kenneth is correct: most of the non-member spectators aren't wearing the kilt. Many are tourists, although most are locals. Not too many of them wear the kilt to games.

[creagdhubh]

And Kenneth is correct: most of the non-member spectators aren't wearing the kilt. Many are tourists, although most are locals. Not too many of them wear the kilt to games.

I couldn't agree more, Sandy. Most spectators at Highland games, or clan gatherings and rallies both here in the States and abroad in Scotland, are not wearing Highland dress. And many are tourists, especially at various games.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Keep in mind, folks, that what you're looking at are mostly (for lack of a better word) participants at the Gathering. Most of the folks you see at a Highland Games here in the States are spectators regardless of whether or not they are kilted. There are far more spectators in the backgrounds of these photos and I'd bet that they aren't nearly as dressed up as the people featured.

Kenneth,

With all due respect...so? This thread highlights the "participants" not the spectators. For those of us here in the States who attend Highland games and gatherings and decide to wear Highland dress in whatever form, are we not participants of the event? I certainly feel like I am participating by hosting a clan tent and speaking with various people, some of which may be wearing the kilt. Shoot, I even feel like a participant if all I am doing is watching the athletic events and a friendly couple comes up to ask me about my tartan, or that "thing" hanging in front of my kilt. Of course, this is simply my opinion on the matter.

Cheers,

[JSFMACLJR]

Kenneth,

With all due respect...so? This thread highlights the "participants" not the spectators. For those of us here in the States who attend Highland games and gatherings and decide to wear Highland dress in whatever form, are we not participants of the event? I certainly feel like I am participating by hosting a clan tent and speaking with various people, some of which may be wearing the kilt. Shoot, I even feel like a participant if all I am doing is watching the athletic events and a friendly couple comes up to ask me about my tartan, or that "thing" hanging in front of my kilt. Of course, this is simply my opinion on the matter.

Cheers,

Kyle, I see your point. The pics show mostly Members, who are "participating" in their club's big event. Quite right. They are "spectators" by being there to watch the events and dancing and piping, etc.

Cheers,
Sandy

[creagdhubh]

Kyle, I see your point. The pics show mostly Members, who are "participating" in their club's big event. Quite right. They are "spectators" by being there to watch the events and dancing and piping, etc.

Cheers,
Sandy

Quite so. Just as it is with the kilted-men of the Clan Macpherson (post clan march), who watch the dancing, piping, and the athletic events at the Newtonmore Highland Games.

Cheers,

[SlackerDrummer]

I see my comment went over some heads. There was some discussion about the level of dress and whether or not it was appropriate for the event and if I'm not mistaken that included the folks who were kilted, but also some young folks who were not - several of whom were wearing jackets and ties. My point was that most of these folks in the photos were there to walk in the parade, to hang out with the "members" (thanks, Sandy, for that explanation), etc., which is quite different from the folks who there simply to watch the parade. Is that to say that these "participants" (if you'll recall I said "for lack of a better word" in my original post) were not there to spectate as well? Of course they were there to watch everything, too. But not just to spectate. At a minimum, they were also there to hobnob and socialize with people who would be similarly dressed. It's the difference between going to the opening hunt and having a champagne reception on the hill and going to watch the stock-dog trials. My point was simply the folks shown in these photos are not the only group of people at the event and so only represent a portion of the people in attendance. That isn't to say that we shouldn't emulate them or aspire to be a part of their group. But it doesn't mean that, though they were not overdressed, someone else there in a t-shirt and jeans would have been underdressed (well perhaps for that members' tent, but still).

[JSFMACLJR]

Kyle, I have no desire to hijack your thread, but I hope you won't mind me adding some pics I've taken at the Argyllshire Gathering, showing how the large majority of folks dress. I don't want anyone to get the impression that the Members are all a bunch of stuffy toffs... far from it! One sees people wearing all manner of get-ups, but mercifully no pirate costume, chain mail, and heavily armed Bravehearts like one sees at US Highland games!

Pic 1, showing some Members in the Members Enclosure, containing an earl, a countess, a chief's daughter, and just some regular nice folk:


Pic 2, out and about:


Pic 3, Members Enclosure:


Pic 4, on the hill, watching the fun. Not a kilt to be seen ( although there were some in evidence. We enjoyed some nice prawns and scallops here! ):


Pic 5, see, a kilt!


Pic 6, showing a well-known dancer from North Uist, and some "regular" spectators:


Pic 7, taken in the heart of the Enclosure, showing a Campbell grandee, an earl, and a brother-in-law of a duke...and some nice "ordinary folk" too!