2011-12 Photos of the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Games

[creagdhubh]

What I meant was that most of the people who are wearing the kilt are 'dressed up' for the event and belong to Jock's list of 'active' participants. They seem, to me, to be a good representation of THCD and their attire is well suited to the context of being officially involved in some aspect of the event.

The 'passive' participants at this particular games are mostly not wearing the kilt, though Kyle has mentioned that some of the ones who do might wear more casual outfits. Their context pertains to being general spectators, without the benefit of the chairs afforded to the members who financially support the games.

My observation is related to the context, as it has been presented in pictures and commentary on this thread, about this particular games. It would appear that active participants are more likely to dress up to THCD daywear standards. Passive participants appear less likely to wear a kilt, but also to demonstrate a slightly broader range of attire when they are kilted.

Very well put, Colin. Your assessment of the context as it relates to both "active and passive" participation is absolutely spot on!

Cheers,

[Jock Scot]

I am not at all sure, Colin, that I would put most of the "members" on the "active" list, although their support behind the scenes would most definitely put them on the passively active list and some would as family, friends and guests, just enjoy the event! Alright the Duke had an official function to hand out the prizes, he may have opened the games as the senior local dignitary too, but the other members are there to enjoy the occasion in whatever way suites them and being involved in any official capacity during the event is not something that many would be involved with. No they are there on the day for the same reasons as those spectators sat on the grass.

I would not(never have) put band members in the THCD bracket as band members and indeed solo pipers are expected to dress appropriately, nor would I ever put highland games competitors or dancers in that group either.

[HenryT]

I would not(never have) put band members in the THCD bracket as band members and indeed solo pipers are expected to dress appropriately, nor would I ever put highland games competitors or dancers in that group either.

Agreed...

[JSFMACLJR]

I am not at all sure, Colin, that I would put most of the "members" on the "active" list, although their support behind the scenes would most definitely put them on the passively active list and some would as family, friends and guests, just enjoy the event! Alright the Duke had an official function to hand out the prizes, he may have opened the games as the senior local dignitary too, but the other members are there to enjoy the occasion in whatever way suites them and being involved in any official capacity during the event is not something that many would be involved with. No they are there on the day for the same reasons as those spectators sat on the grass..

For so many of the members, it really is a big family day. People bring picnics, and have a relaxed, fun time with no worries about what to wear or how to behave. Many members have house parties and bring their guests not only to the Gathering in the day, but also to the ball that evening. It's funny how the members enclosure tends to empty out fairly early in the afternoon so that there is plenty of time to take naps before the evening's festivities... which themselves tend to end around dawn!

[creagdhubh]

For so many of the members, it really is a big family day. People bring picnics, and have a relaxed, fun time with no worries about what to wear or how to behave. Many members have house parties and bring their guests not only to the Gathering in the day, but also to the ball that evening. It's funny how the members enclosure tends to empty out fairly early in the afternoon so that there is plenty of time to take naps before the evening's festivities... which themselves tend to end around dawn!

Sandy,

This sounds just like us Macphersons during our annual gathering that coincides with the Newtonmore Highland games. Many retire for a bit of a snooze after all the chatting, reuniting and spectating concludes on The Eilan, in preparation for a long, exciting night at the Duke of Gordon Hotel in Kingussie - just up the old A9 from Newtonmore. It's always a grand time!

[Mael Coluim]

Sorry to go off on a rabbit trail, but in Sandy's post 43, pic 3 I do believe that is my chief's Robin Malcolm coat of arms flag 2nd visible one on the left.

[Livingston]

Two of Bachuil's three sisters are in this photo; Deirdre is missing.

Right you are. Not sure how I missed the other one on the left.

[CMcG]

I am not at all sure, Colin, that I would put most of the "members" on the "active" list, although their support behind the scenes would most definitely put them on the passively active list and some would as family, friends and guests, just enjoy the event! Alright the Duke had an official function to hand out the prizes, he may have opened the games as the senior local dignitary too, but the other members are there to enjoy the occasion in whatever way suites them and being involved in any official capacity during the event is not something that many would be involved with. No they are there on the day for the same reasons as those spectators sat on the grass.

My distinction between active and passive participants is based on whether the attendee has contributed in some way beyond purely being a spectator. I would include financial support as an active form of participation, and the members have the chairs to prove it I suppose the friends and family of the members who came as guests without any other form of active participation are a bit of grey area. Nonetheless, they are in the members area and that gives them at least a para-official reason to be there -- and to be kilted.

But perhaps I'm missing something? Is there some other explanation for why the number of kilts and general standard of attire in the members area is so much higher than among the general spectators? I'm guessing that if there had been seating for general, non-member spectators, that it wouldn't have made too much difference to the number of kilts, but I could be wrong...

I would not(never have) put band members in the THCD bracket as band members and indeed solo pipers are expected to dress appropriately, nor would I ever put highland games competitors or dancers in that group either.

Yes, of course. I should have been more clear that I meant traditional Highland civilian dress (T.H.C.D.), by definition, would only refer to the civilians, most of whom appear to be members or officials. Performers or competitors would be considered to be "in uniform." The sum of these two groups appears to make up the majority of kilt wearers at this games.

[Jock Scot]

Well the scenes posted here and on other threads about the "crowds" at a Scottish games are true to form. Yes, most of the crowd do not and are not wearing the kilt and that is a fact. Why, well quite a proportion will be tourists from outwith Scotland, so we can discount most(not all) of those as kilt wearers and then if we allow for a fair proportion of Scots who do not own a kilt, added to which there will be some kilt owning Scots that do not consider sitting on a grassy bank as a special occasion so one way or another and quite reasonably, the majority are not wearing the kilt. So who have we got left?

We have kilted band members, individual kilted pipers, kilted dancers, kilted caber tossers etc, kilted judges,kilted officials and kilted members.

Now I think it is the kilted members and their guests that are raising questions here and it will be noted that not all the members are kilted either. Some may say its a class thing, well its true there are Dukes and Earls and assorted Clan Chiefs present, but there are far more "others" there, so its not really a "class" thing, but I think it is more accurately a "type" thing. People who are brought up with tweeds, kilts, cromachs,etc as part of their lives ------just like those youngsters that we see dotted around the "members" area, they will grow up with an understanding of Highland attire even if the never wear the kilt again in their lifetime. So what do "members" do?

Well they support the show financially, with subscriptions, they support the show with their time-----would you want to spend all day smiling at all and sundary and shake hands with countless winners of various competitions----when you would far rather down on the river casting a fly at the elsusive salmon when the river just happens to be in perfect order------, the members sponsor events, not only for them to indulge themselves but mainly and I will say again, mainly for the good of the local community and the payback is that they bring their family and friends for a rather nice chat with like minded souls and to do justice to the event and the competitors and themselves some(most) dress for the occasion in the appropriate and traditional attire. One more thing, let us not run away with the idea that every member has a title, a castle, and umpteen thousand acres of perfect grouse moor and a wardrobe,or six, full of assorted kilt attire. Some might, most don't!

In passing, it is not unknown for an Earl, or some such and his family to be sat amongst the crowd dressed in a T shirt and jeans---assuming its not raining, so please avoid going down the "class" route. Anyone who has run an event will know how much these things cost to put on and when all said and done the money from the "members" underwrites the event and a good time is hopefully had by competitors, officials, locals, members and visitors alike.

I think you have missed something Colin, and I think the answers you are wanting are in the post above. Interestinly there is a "stand" in one of the pictures that does in fact provide seating for a proportion of the general public and seating is usually dotted around the arena for all to use. I cannot say for sure that there were seats available as I was not there, but there usually is.

[Nick the DSM]

Great pics. Love seeing highland games from across the pond.