2011-12 Photos of the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Games

[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,