Why so serious?

**macwilkin** · 29th January 10, 04:33 AM

The gent in the first photo is most likely a member of an "escort party" for the Haggis, an almost parody of the line "Great Chieftain o' the Puddin' Race".

T.

**Jerry** · 29th January 10, 05:07 AM

I've never been to a "Burns Supper" but I've seen these guy at the Richmond Va. games as well. Maybe. Here they are usually accompanied by another guy with a bottle of single malt. They usually offer the entertainers a wee dram before heading somewhere else. Perhaps, it is some kind of "secret order'? Maybe the "Order of The Claymore", or "The Single Malt, Claymore carrying Society".

**macwilkin** · 29th January 10, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry

I've never been to a "Burns Supper" but I've seen these guy at the Richmond Va. games as well. Maybe. Here they are usually accompanied by another guy with a bottle of single malt. They usually offer the entertainers a wee dram before heading somewhere else. Perhaps, it is some kind of "secret order'? Maybe the "Order of The Claymore", or "The Single Malt, Claymore carrying Society".

See my post above, Jerry. What you describe is frequently seen at Burns Nights over here as an escort for the haggis.

T.

**thescot** · 29th January 10, 06:49 AM

At our burns Supper, we often have someone "armed" with either a claymore or baskethilt (or both) escorting the haggis. It's the "guard" for the haggis to make sure no one tries to reive it or anything.

No one--and read that carefully--no one takes it seriously. People don't show up wearing swords or anything. I would consider wearing the powder horn, pistol, jewleled dirk, basket hilt, etc. at the right event, but I don't have any idea what that event would be so it's not likely to happen.

I'm thinking of some of those outfits worn in the early 1800s when Georga IV visited; man, I'd look great in one of those.

Of course, I also liked wearing a cowboy hat and spurs when I was a kid.

At the games--as at many other types of outings--there are always people who like to dress up in costumes with rough boots, swords, and trying to look like an extra from Brave Heart. But it's a costume; everyone knows it's a costume, and I don't think anyone take it very seriously. I think of it as being similar to the "living history" people who dress up in 17th century outfits or even the 78th Highlandes who wear the old style uniforms and carry muskets. It's just for fun. Might look a bit silly on Main Street, but at the games, everyone just takes it all in stride.

**Riverkilt** · 29th January 10, 06:53 AM

Makes sense to me that if someone lays out all the money for the sword and leather they wanna show it off.

Maybe they're frightened inside and its a "don't mess with me" message. Visions of the end scene in Rob Roy where the fop gets cleft into two pieces...or was he cloven...

Maybe they want us to learn to conjugate the verb cleave. Cleft, Cleaved, Clove, Cloven, Clave...

**Inchessi** · 29th January 10, 07:42 AM

I feel out of place. I have never seen this at any of the few events that I have attended. One of which is "Feast of the Hunters Moon" in West Lafayette Indiana. At the "Feast" they go full regalia circa 1700's. I have seen numerous rapier (sp) never a claymore.

**slohairt** · 29th January 10, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

One thing I've noticed at Scottish events--why is it there's always that one guy who brings a big claymore just to carry around in a very serious manner? It happens at all the Highland Games, Burns Suppers, and Tartan Days that I attend, and it looks kinda silly. Are the Wisconsin events the only place that this happens, or do other places have these guys too?

If I'm just goin' crazy let me know, but sometimes it feels like these guys are just looking for any excuse to carry around a big sword in front of them--as if the English will storm the banquet hall!

Hee Hee! Yes, I've seen those people at Games as well. What's more is that their entire 'outfit budget' was probably spent on the Mel Gibson claymore they are wielding. The rest of their ensemble consists of a flannel fèileadh mhòr, a modern-styled rabbit fur sporran (frae Pakistan), a Jack Sparrow blouse, and some Birkenstocks!

Oh well, those people will always be there, I guess...

**Panache** · 29th January 10, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

At our burns Supper, we often have someone "armed" with either a claymore or baskethilt (or both) escorting the haggis. It's the "guard" for the haggis to make sure no one tries to reive it or anything.

Young Gregory,

Jim is really only telling half the story here. I think you are now old enough to know the ugly political truth behind the "honor guard" that accompanies the haggis at Burns Night Suppers.

I hate to have to get political here on XMTS but there is just no way to sugar coat this. In truth the haggis is often targeted by extremists.

These fanatics whose numbers include gourmets, food critics, health inspectors, and members of the FDA will target Burns Night Supper haggi. Through use of either stealth or force they will attempt to remove the haggis from the event to prevent it being consumed by the unsuspecting guests. If they are successful the extremists will take the haggis to a remote location. There rouge bio-hazard technicians and bomb squad teams will attempt to safely destroy the haggis to neutralize its threat to the health and taste buds of the General Public.

Therefore most Burns Night Supper parties provide an "Honor Guard" for the haggis to protect it during its procession. You (and the rest of the guests) only see the ceremonial weapons carried by the "honor guard". What you don't see is the body armor underneath their Prince Charlie coatees.

I'm sorry to have to be the one to have to break this to you, but you had to know.

Sincerely

Jamie

**Brasilikilt** · 29th January 10, 08:08 AM

I am one of those guys.....

This past Saturday I was part of an honor guard for the haggis.
I was however carrying a flintlock musket, I loaned my sword to the guy in front of me.

Whenever I go to a historically themed event such as Highland games, I don my great kilt and related garb and walk around with my basket-hilt claymore hanging on my hip by a shoulder belt....I don't even mess with a back scabbard.

The serious look on our faces might be that of borderline heat stroke....Wearing all that wool in summer is itchy, sweaty and tiring!
Also, having me be one of those who guards a bottle of single malt, would be like having the fox watch the hen house :-)

I however am very flattered when people ask to have a photo taken with me...When ya look as good as I do, who can blame them? :-)

**Woodsheal** · 29th January 10, 08:26 AM

When the big, two-handed swords fell out of use as actual combat weapons, they still found a role as "bearing swords" and often acheived ridiculous, heavy proportions unseen in true fighting swords. "Bearing swords" were simply carried ceremonially as part of a king's, chief's or laird's entourage when they were parading about in an official manner.

That's why you still see them today born in that stiff, upright, ceremonial manner during the march of clan associations at Games, and at Burns' Suppers, etc.

That's a seperate phenomenon from the "living history" guys donning period garb and weaponry. That IS just for fun...!