2013 Chicago Scots Highland Games are this weekend in Itasca

**McFarkus** · 10th June 13, 12:26 PM

The 27th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games are this weekend - Friday evening and all day Saturday. I'll be there on Saturday. Anyone else going? More information here

**MacTavishOfJapan** · 15th June 13, 08:05 AM

We're just heading there now. Good Scottish weather for the games!

**NorseCelt** · 16th June 13, 08:05 PM

It was great meeting you, McFarkus.

**hylander** · 18th June 13, 10:59 AM

I too was there, had a great time, despite the weather. Saw the parade of attire that would make most Xmarkers wince. My favorite was the highlander/viking/renfaire warrior in a priate/ghillie shirt and ultilikilt, armed to the teeth with swords, knives and axes, and requisite drinking horn of course.

**McFarkus** · 19th June 13, 06:56 AM

I enjoyed meeting you too NorseCelt. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up during the year some time.

and Hylander, there are always costumes that make one's teeth ache a bit. I shudder sometimes at the kilts worn low, slung around the hips, with the bottom somewhere at mid calf.

**hylander** · 19th June 13, 08:41 AM

Agreed sir, I saw a lot of midi's being worn, but that I can even justify that as an attempt by the first time wearer to don the kilt, and there seem to be quite a few first time kilt wearers. The highlander/viking/renfaire warrior are bit harder for me to understand, other than there is a lack of public opportunity to stomp around in their costumes and weapons without too many folks thinking anything of it. I would personally save that for the Renfaire ( although I wouldn't wear a utilikilt as any kind of historic representation of the kilt).

**McFarkus** · 19th June 13, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by hylander

Agreed sir, I saw a lot of midi's being worn, but that I can even justify that as an attempt by the first time wearer to don the kilt, and there seem to be quite a few first time kilt wearers. The highlander/viking/renfaire warrior are bit harder for me to understand, other than there is a lack of public opportunity to stomp around in their costumes and weapons without too many folks thinking anything of it. I would personally save that for the Renfaire ( although I wouldn't wear a utilikilt as any kind of historic representation of the kilt).

With regard to the Vikings - they were early occupiers/immigrants of Scotland. One of my many times great-grandfathers is Thorfinn the Skullsplitter - Viking Jarl of Orkney. So I can tolerate a bit of Viking paraphernalia at a Highland games.