Scottish Festival Peeves?

[wildrover]

Its all fun and games until someone gets their toga stuck over their head.

...Then, it's hilarious!

[Brother Falldown]

But it is all about us.

Of course it is! Why? Is someone else there?

[Tobus]

As far as Highland Games, I've never been. No nits to pick, but I have been to lots of other 'proper dress inferred' events, and I try to blend in - boots & hat to the rodeo or ag fair, tie & jacket to the cocktail party, Hawai'ian shirt to the Buffett show, like that. SO, I would bring out the tartan for the Highland games, but probably with jump boots and a practical shirt.

That's a pretty good point. Most people will try to dress somewhat appropriate to the venue, even if it's not their normal manner of dress. Wearing boots and jeans and a cowboy hat to a rodeo, for example. Some people will go buy brand-new boots or hats just for the occasion. I think that's great that they go to that effort. It makes their experience at the rodeo more enjoyable and opens them up to a new lifestyle. And similarly, if they do the same for a Scottish festival or Highland Games, I applaud their effort. Even if they get it slightly 'wrong', it's OK, as long as they're making the effort and respecting the event.

But some of the stuff we've been talking about here would be the equivalent of dressing up like the Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers to go to a rodeo. Americans in general tend to understand that it would be foolish to dress like that for a typical rodeo. Yet they do exactly that when going to a Highland Games. I just don't get it...

[Bugbear]

I've reconsidered all of that over the last several months, and I would not wear a kilt if I were asked to attend a Highland games event. I would be a spectator, of course.

I have been to rodeos, and wore boots and jeans (as a spectator, of course) and didn't even think about it.

[piperdbh]

I've reconsidered all of that over the last several months, and I would not wear a kilt if I were asked to attend a Highland games event. I would be a spectator, of course.

I have been to rodeos, and wore boots and jeans (as a spectator, of course) and didn't even think about it.

I'm asking you to attend the Games nearest you and wear a kilt. Come on, Ted, you know you want to.

[Bugbear]

I'm asking you to attend the Games nearest you and wear a kilt. Come on, Ted, you know you want to.

Piperdbh, I'm sorry. It wasn't easy to give up the kilt and tartan; they aren't my traditions and heritage...

[BoldHighlander]

Piperdbh, I'm sorry. It wasn't easy to give up the kilt and tartan; they aren't my traditions and heritage...

Start a new kilted tradition then Ted

[DamnthePants]

If I had to pick one thing, and one thing only: the sun. Seriously, why cant these things happen at night. Everything is cooler, cooler, and less skin-baking at night.

To go further..

Reenactors who are about flash and no substance. I am well versed in the historical use of the Highland Broadsword, in at least 2 diffrent styles. Once we were asked to preform at the Highland Games over here.

It was less then spectacular. Most people dont care if youve had to fully reconstruct your idea of how the Two-hander was used, and what source material you got it from. They just want you to look the part.

Vendors clearly taking advantage of people by charging sky-high prices

The lack of walk-in events. Seriously. I know the Games part are a serious thing, and not everyone can, or should, beable to walk in and say "Hey let me see how far I can toss that thar big stick." But I wish there was more to do. After all, there is only so much money you can spend, bag-pipes you can listen to, Boarder Collies you can watch (( which your not allowed to pet or play with, which is another peeve all together), before I find myself a little bored. Why cant there be games everyone can try?

[BoldHighlander]

Boarder Collies you can watch (( which your not allowed to pet or play with, which is another peeve all together)

There is a reason for that, one of which is (most) Border Collies I've met are rather aloof & a wee bit territorial/one person dogs (I'm sure no one wants to get sued for a dog bite).

My Smooth-Collie on the other hand would want to climb into your lap & lick you to death!

[robthehiker]

Personally, I find that most of the people described above add to the experience. I'd rather see someone dressed as a kilted stormtrooper than one wearing jeans and a t-shirt.