Smoky Mountain Highland Games--May 20-22 Maryville, Tenn

[Ryan Ross]

It was a dry, HOT day. The new venue, Maryville College, is a great facility. More room than Gatlinburg and parking was easy, the field was marked off with parking spots.

I didn't see the STM tent, kept searching for it and didn't find it so I also didn't see Ryan Ross.

Chainsaw02 spotted me and my yellow "dandelion" in the audience in the entertainment tent and introduced himself. Enjoyed the ballads of Colin Grant-Adams.

Bought an embroidered "Wallace" shirt from X Marker, Mark R in his vendor tent, "ATS Apparel". Other purchases, an X Marks the Scot T-Shirt, a Wallace sash with rosette for my misses of nearly 46 years and of course couldn't leave without kettle korn.

Saw Drum Major Atlanta Kiltie with the massed bands and had a brief conversation with him afterwards as he was packing up.

Had a good day, arrived about 9:30 and set up my chair at mid-field, perfect viewing for the athletic events on that field, the sheepdogs and the massed bands right in front of me.

Abigail and I were so sorry to have missed you! I heard you were there on Saturday, but didn't have much time to venture from our tent! But aye, we packed up and went back to Franklin on Saturday evening, so that we would not have to expend funds on lodging for the night.

I'm so glad that you're enjoying your bonnet, and Abigail and I look forward to catching you at another event this season, hopefully.

[Atlanta Kiltie]

Here is a link to the Smoky Mountain Games: http://www.knoxivi.com/smoky_mountain_highland_games which were broadcast live over the internet. I am the drum major in the khaki doublet in the opening ceremonies bit. It was too hot to wear #1 uniform. When Lord Hugh said it was too hot to be out there, he was not kidding. Maryville is a great venue and I am looking forward to returning next year with the Atholl Highlanders of Stone Mountain.

[Santa Wally]

Abigail and I were so sorry to have missed you! I heard you were there on Saturday, but didn't have much time to venture from our tent! But aye, we packed up and went back to Franklin on Saturday evening, so that we would not have to expend funds on lodging for the night.

I'm so glad that you're enjoying your bonnet, and Abigail and I look forward to catching you at another event this season, hopefully.

Ryan, When you mentioned your tent in your earlier post, I assumed you were referring to he STM tent. Since there was a STM tent last year at Gatlinburg, that was what I was looking for on my 3 trips along the clan tents at different times throughout the day. I'm sorry I missed seeing you and meeting Abigail on Sat.

[Mark R]

It was a dry, HOT day. The new venue, Maryville College, is a great facility. More room than Gatlinburg and parking was easy, the field was marked off with parking spots.

I didn't see the STM tent, kept searching for it and didn't find it so I also didn't see Ryan Ross.

Chainsaw02 spotted me and my yellow "dandelion" in the audience in the entertainment tent and introduced himself. Enjoyed the ballads of Colin Grant-Adams.

Bought an embroidered "Wallace" shirt from X Marker, Mark R in his vendor tent, "ATS Apparel". Other purchases, an X Marks the Scot T-Shirt, a Wallace sash with rosette for my misses of nearly 46 years and of course couldn't leave without kettle korn.

Saw Drum Major Atlanta Kiltie with the massed bands and had a brief conversation with him afterwards as he was packing up.

Had a good day, arrived about 9:30 and set up my chair at mid-field, perfect viewing for the athletic events on that field, the sheepdogs and the massed bands right in front of me.

Was great to be able to chat with Wally for awhile at Maryville.

Ended up being a nice event and quite an improvement over the previous site where the games were held in the past. Would recommend folks consider putting this on on their calendars for next year as I expect it to become an excellent event.

PS Can verify Wally's last stop before he took to his sleigh--kettle corn tent was just across the way from us.

[Ryan Ross]

Ryan, When you mentioned your tent in your earlier post, I assumed you were referring to he STM tent. Since there was a STM tent last year at Gatlinburg, that was what I was looking for on my 3 trips along the clan tents at different times throughout the day. I'm sorry I missed seeing you and meeting Abigail on Sat.

We're very sorry to have missed you, as well! And indeed, we were manning the STM tent... but they placed us over with the vendors, rather than with the clans.


...maybe next year, we should try bringing some things to sell, huh? Ferguson Britt sporrans, 'Ross bonnets, Tyger Forge buckles, and Lewis hose and garters, maybe? They would fill a much needed void in the vending there, I think.ith:

[Santa Wally]

We're very sorry to have missed you, as well! And indeed, we were manning the STM tent... but they placed us over with the vendors, rather than with the clans.

Obviously I must have walked right by without noticing the STM tent since I circled the vendor area a couple of times, going back to check if an item I had passed up was still there... it wasn't.

The first trip around, I caught up with fellow Clan Claus Society members, Santa Lamar and Mrs Santa and we got busy posing for some photos. That may have been when I missed the STM tent. And I was really looking for it down in the clan area.

You must have been busy when I passed by and was unable to notice a grey Ryan Ross bonnet with yellow dandelion pass by.