Savannah Highland Games

[wyldathart]

Well I'm glad I asked the mistress. Evidently she's been making plans with my family to have a get together on that day. So here is my suggestion. Why don't you guys keep the date and time and I'll just meet you guys in May for the games? We'll hook up after the games and have a wee dram at Molly's.

[JolyStNicholas]

I agree, I have a long drive back to Central Florida meself, so an early evening
would do best. No drink for me. The wife maybe. Fun for all.

Joly

[KFCarter]

Well I'm glad I asked the mistress. Evidently she's been making plans with my family to have a get together on that day. So here is my suggestion. Why don't you guys keep the date and time and I'll just meet you guys in May for the games? We'll hook up after the games and have a wee dram at Molly's.

Well, in my experience nothing good has ever come from getting on the wrong side of the missus so you're making a sound choice. No worries, we'll be meeting at the games and perhaps we'll get a regular kilt night going after.

Slainte,
Ken

[Colonel MacNeal]

First Families of Georgia. (wink-wink) About what percentage of the First Families of Georgia were Scots? (Lowlanders and Highlanders)

[KFCarter]

First Families of Georgia. (wink-wink) About what percentage of the First Families of Georgia were Scots? (Lowlanders and Highlanders)

The Georgia Historical Society Quarterly had a great article in it recently about the central role played in Savannah and environs by Scottish merchants. I'll see if I can find a link to it. As to the actual percentage, the society is headquartered here in Savannah and if anyone can quote an authoritative number on that, it would be them. I know those folks well and will look into it.

I do know that Darien, GA, just south of here, was settled by Highlanders.

Here's some material from an article about Darien's history
(the whole article is at http://darientel.net/~aatrain/history.html)

"The Scots Highlanders Settle Darien

[SIZE="2"]General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the new Georgia colony at Savannah on February 12, 1733. He soon realized the need for military outposts to the south to protect the main settlement at Savannah. The purpose of the Georgia colony was largely military at first (as well as philanthropic). Thus, Oglethorpe decided upon an outpost on the former site of Fort King George on the Altamaha and a more elaborate fortification on St. Simons Island, a short distance south of the Altamaha.

In October 1735, a band of Highland Scots recruited from the vicinity of Inverness, Scotland by Hugh Mackay and George Dunbar sailed from Inverness on the Prince of Wales . In early January 1736, they arrived at Savannah and, on Oglethorpe's orders, began making plans for settling at the mouth of the Altamaha.

On the 19th of January, after traveling down the inland waterway by boat, the Highlanders landed at Barnwell's Bluff on the site of Fort King George. There the Scots established the settlement they called Darien, in memory of the ill-fated expedition made by their countrymen to the Isthmus of Darien in Panama in 1697. There were 177 people in this hardy band of Scots, including women and children, and they were led by John McIntosh Mohr and Hugh Mackay.

The men were trained Highland warriors, among the world's finest fighting soldiers and especially selected by Oglethorpe for the purpose he had in mind. The Highlanders emplaced cannon on the earthworks of Fort King George; huts were built for the soldiers and those who had brought their families. A small kirk was built for the purpose of holding divine services. The Scots had brought their own minister, Rev. John McLeod of the Isle of Skye, recently ordained by the Prebyterian congregation in Georgia.

Captain Dunbar wrote to the Georgia Trustees: "The Scots have settled at Barnwell's Bluff on the Altamaha and desire their town shall be called Darien.

On February 22, 1736, Oglethorpe made his first visit to Darien. The occasion marked the first military parade of British troops to be held in Georgia. In their honor, Oglethorpe wore the Highland habit. As they marched in review before him, the Highlanders made an impressive sight in full regalia, with claymore, side arms and targes (shields).

In the summer of 1736, Oglethorpe again visited and on this occasion he laid out the town of Darien on a high bluff overlooking the river about one mile west of the Barnwell Bluff outpost. Here, Fort Darien was to be built; a town was surveyed and town squares laid out with commons on the east and north and acreage lots to the west of Fort King George.

Late in 1739, the District of Darien was laid out, comprising an area approximating that of present-day McIntosh County. For a time, the town of Darien was called New Inverness to distinguish it from the District. "

[Scott West]

Outstanding, thanks Kilt Noob! I haven't been THIS excited over something in quite awhile. Now if i can just scheme-up some way to where the matching fly plaid (ordered with the kilt) without looking like a snob/fool. Ah well, might just have to wait for the once-in-a-blue-moon event.

[Kilt_Noob]

Outstanding, thanks Kilt Noob! I haven't been THIS excited over something in quite awhile. Now if i can just scheme-up some way to where the matching fly plaid (ordered with the kilt) without looking like a snob/fool. Ah well, might just have to wait for the once-in-a-blue-moon event.

LOL Im glad I could help!
So from what I have read, are we meeting up still on the 11th, or are we going to hold off 'til May?

[7 miles]

Im meeting still, i would like to get to know the locals before the games. I would also like there to be a monthly or bi-monthly kilt nights of the locals if possible.

[wyldathart]

I wish I lived closer to you guys. I wouldn't mind having a night out a couple of times a month. I'll do my best to come out for kilt nights as much as I can but school is more important, at least for the next four quarters anyway LOL

[KFCarter]

Im meeting still, i would like to get to know the locals before the games. I would also like there to be a monthly or bi-monthly kilt nights of the locals if possible.

I'm in for the 11th, and for a monthly or bi-monthly kilt night, too.