North Texas Scottish Festival

[Morris at Heathfield]

I'm a teetotaler.

I understand the big draws are the athletics competitions and the contemporary music. As for pipe bands, the North Texas Caledonians are supposed to be playing at 1:00. There's something else going on from 5:30 to 7:30. Is it just a bunch of random pipers practicing, or is it a little more organized than that? I assume there will be piping during the Highland dancing as well? Best of both worlds.

On the other hand, it's possible I will spend all my time among the kilt-makers, book sellers, and clan tents.

I'll keep an eye on the forecast—not that the weather always cooperates.

If anyone wishes to find me, I'll be the guy who's not wearing a kilt.

[Cynthia]

We're still waiting to see which day/s we'll be going. Hubby has a Stillwater Standard kilt in Black Stewart (he's Christo13 if you want to see a photo... that's him in his userid, you can't miss him).

I'll probably be the gal looking miserable from the heat with a knee-length braid. I certainly won't be wearing my hair loose this time, but I can't deny it's a great way to spot me out of the crowd. So I'll probably just wear it in a long braid. I don't have any tartan at the moment and Christopher isn't even 100% sure if he'll be wearing the kilt (I'm hoping he will, of course, but he may not wear it more than once... we'll see).

I'll definitely post here once I know when we'll be going.

[Jack Daw]

I'm a teetotaler.

I understand the big draws are the athletics competitions and the contemporary music. As for pipe bands, the North Texas Caledonians are supposed to be playing at 1:00. There's something else going on from 5:30 to 7:30. Is it just a bunch of random pipers practicing, or is it a little more organized than that? I assume there will be piping during the Highland dancing as well? Best of both worlds.

On the other hand, it's possible I will spend all my time among the kilt-makers, book sellers, and clan tents.

I'll keep an eye on the forecast—not that the weather always cooperates.

If anyone wishes to find me, I'll be the guy who's not wearing a kilt.

Well, I'm glad to see that one pipe band will be there. The sanctoned competitions will usually draw three or more pipe bands, but these informal comps are set up for solo pipers only. My guess is the NTCP&D will have a few pipers competing solo. The solo piping comps used to be on the grounds just under the concrete ramp that leads up to the breezeway at the top back of the stadium. I don't know if that is still their location. I consider such as bridge-troll accommodations, but at least its in the shade. The piping comps don't generally draw a large crowd. I don't think you will see many pipers strolling the grounds piping like at smaller events. Unlike most, this Scottish festival is literally a profit-making enterprise and is run in a business-like manner. This is why there are no sanctioned comps - because such takes money (to pay the judges) rather than makes money.

The solo piping may have a time frame listing in the program, but the contemporary Celtic musicians will be listed with specific show times inside the entertainment tents. There are at least 3 or 4 of those large tents scattered across the grounds. I think there is a real live dance piper (vs recorded music) for the Highland dancers, but I don't remember. These girls used to dance on the gridiron under an open-sided shade-tent and may still. Like I said, I haven't been there in a few years.

All in all, it's good fun! Two other good selling points - there's plenty of parking and the stadium bathrooms have running water with soap and TP. But, bring extra supplies as they could run out. As a regular clan rep tenter, I never forget the Purel and the "therapeutic papers" in my haversack.