Random thoughts after my first Highland Games

[MacKenzie]

In no particular order:

I really felt bad for the piper that was playing for the Highland Dancing. Same tune over and over x100. I hope he was paid well.


Highland dancing ain't easy. And it was serious business.


OC Richard is right. When the pipe bands aren't playing there's some part of their uniform missing.


You can spot a pipe band member just like that.


I was surprised at the number of kilts being worn by spectators. After seeing the comments here that, "the only people in kilts at Highland games are the officials, athletes, bands and those manning the clan tents" I figured I'd be the only John Q. Public in a kilt. Not so.


Retirement plan: Selling turkey legs at Scottish festivals.


Dominant hose color was not white/oatmeal. There wasn't a dominant hose color, or style.


I only saw two things that made me think, "That ain't right." First: A young lad whose kilt came to within 6" of his ankle. It wasn't an heirloom-worn-too-soon because the waist fit his tall, lanky frame and everything else was right fit-wise. Second: A young lad in tee shirt, shorts and running shoes wearing a baldric and claymore. I hope he just bought it.


It felt good wearing a bespoke, quality kilt. There were others there. There were lots that weren't. I had no idea it would be so easy to differentiate.

Pics of the games here

[mookien]

In no particular order:

... Retirement plan: Selling turkey legs at Scottish festivals. ...

Sounds great to me. And who says today's seniors aren't doing enough retirement planning? I wish I had thought of that before I quit work. I'm selling chicken parts at a pretty good Scottish restaurant - McDonalds.

[Mael Coluim]

Love the slideshow presentation of your pics.

Memorable day I say. Thanks for sharing.

[OC Richard]

Yes thanks for the slideshows!

It's one of my favourite things about XMarks, being able to vicariously visit Highland Games I'll never get to see in person.

I like tartan-spotting: Roxburgh District (as I recall worn by The Greater Richmond Pipes And Drums), Spirit Of Scotland.

I think I saw a Matt Newsome 4-yard box-pleat kilt.

Yes about Pipe Band people being slow to put on parts of their uniform, and quick to take off parts of it whenever not performing, the last two bands I've been in have made it a rule that band members are not to appear at a Games in partial uniform: be either entirely in mufti, or wear the complete uniform.

[MacKenzie]

Another observation.

If the SHTF I want those guys tossin' heavy stuff around on my side.

[azwildcat96]

Another observation.

If the SHTF I want those guys tossin' heavy stuff around on my side.

Yep! That's Matt Vincent (in the pink hose), currently the Number 1 Highland Games athlete in the World! I'm not a little guy, but those pros make me look small!

[MacKenzie]

Thanks 'Cat. I wish I'd noted their names so I could add them to the pics.

We saw Nathan ? break the field record throwing the 22 lb. hammer. 119 ft.

Hopefully the results will be up soon.

[MacKenzie]

First Games, mind you, but of the hundreds of massed bands videos, I don't recall seeing a drum major(?) in trews.

?

[MacGumerait]

MacKenzie , absolutely wonderful slide shows ! Well done ! Really like your choice of the particular MacKenzie tartan for your kilt .... and I would agree , a good quality bespoke kilt is always a pleasure to wear .

Drum Majors in trews is something we don't see too often here in the U.S. , although it's not uncommon in certain Scottish Regiments . Below is a video clip for you that offers a few examples .

This is an older clip of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from 1998 and several of these regiments have now been amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland ( just wanted to share a visual of some Drum Majors in trews ) .

Cheers , Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgw...z38v20&index=2

[jrmiller]

I too attended the Highland Games near Charlotte last weekend - I was there Saturday, the only day that it didn't rain.

My first as well, I was surprised about the following:

The sheer size of the combined piper band -- must have been over 100 marching pipe and drummers! The sound was stirring!

The number of other people in kilts including women -- one fine day, that will all spill out to the street on some fine April day "just because".

The number of clan tents, found my Sept and talked with them.

How early in the morning the crowd started drinking beer -- and no small amount of beer!

Found the "games" interesting, but the one about moving the rock from the ground to the top of barrel and back again wasn't an exciting spectator sport -- the dog chasing the sheep around the field was much more interesting...