Grandfather Mt. Highland Games

**Warlock** · 9th February 07, 08:45 PM

**thescot** · 9th February 07, 08:55 PM

I think I see a gathering coming on.

For those of you who have never been, there are a couple of things you might consider:
* It's a huge gathering,
* You can only drive up the mountain if you have sponser tickets with parking permit; otherwise you ride a shuttle, which is not too bad.
* There are alots of additional things happening in conjunction with the games--ceiliedh, concerts, The Bear foot race, etc.
* If you want to camp on the mountain, better reserve your spot today! And even then it may be too late.
* I like to stay at Beech Mountain in one of the ski chalets. It's near Banner Elk where you can eat and do other things but close enough for an easy drive to Linville
* Bring some warm clothes, too. It can get very cool in the mountains at night, and I've enjoyed a nice fire in July more than once.

Let's plan on it for sure. I'll definitly have all my flasks full and ready for passin', and if you guys bring the rugrats, we'll make it a real big family thing. Nothing like making the local lairds nervous about their cattle and daughters.

**auld argonian** · 9th February 07, 09:43 PM

Do they run a shuttle from Charlotte?

Best

AA

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 9th February 07, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

Well, we missed this one last year, but would love to go this year. Does anybody have a website for the Games? How about campgrounds in the area? We would tow our trailer up.

KCW,

You can camp at the games themselves. BUT there are no hookups for
waste water. IF you get there early enough you may be able to get
water and electrify (regular 110 outlets only). If you want to camp fairly (you will still have to ride the bus) close by with a hook up
PM me and I will give a couple of places I have. But this is not part of the games.

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 9th February 07, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

I think I see a gathering coming on.

For those of you who have never been, there are a couple of things you might consider:
* It's a huge gathering,
* You can only drive up the mountain if you have sponser tickets with parking permit; otherwise you ride a shuttle, which is not too bad.
* There are alots of additional things happening in conjunction with the games--ceiliedh, concerts, The Bear foot race, etc.
* If you want to camp on the mountain, better reserve your spot today! And even then it may be too late.
* I like to stay at Beech Mountain in one of the ski chalets. It's near Banner Elk where you can eat and do other things but close enough for an easy drive to Linville
* Bring some warm clothes, too. It can get very cool in the mountains at night, and I've enjoyed a nice fire in July more than once.

Let's plan on it for sure. I'll definitly have all my flasks full and ready for passin', and if you guys bring the rugrats, we'll make it a real big family thing. Nothing like making the local lairds nervous about their cattle and daughters.

A couple of things I would add:Bring your rain gear.
There can be some heavy thunderstorms-downpours.
For those that are going to camp, bring TARPS and Lots of them.
They call the camping area tarp city.
The average tent will not stand the heavy downpours that are possible.
A small shovel to, so you can divert water from your tent.

The Good news is that the games usually dry out fairly quickly. If
it is not a couple of days of continuous rain.

**katmills2005** · 10th February 07, 01:55 AM

The kids and I are planning to attend this year. A gathering would be awesome.

**smaughazard** · 10th February 07, 10:50 AM

My wife and I will be there, as always.

A couple of notes:

If you can only make one day, go for Saturday: the best of the heavy athletics, band competitions, and Celtic music are on Saturday. Plan to stay for the concert Saturday night.

Get there early in the morning for good parking. At the end of the day, you can ride down on the shuttle and bring your car up to the mountain for the concert.

Others have mentioned rain gear, but don't forget the sunscreen either!

Bring a folding chair or blanket; seating is primitive in the daytime music venues.

Lots of vendors, with quality ranging from great to junk. Shop around before you buy.

I'd really like to see more XMarkers there; last year we had maybe 5 on the sign-in sheet.

**Scottishrebel** · 11th February 07, 07:02 PM

we should all gather somewhere YA IM 15

**katmills2005** · 12th February 07, 04:12 AM

Now that my little man is more confident about wearing his kilt (after two kilt nights here) He is bugging the tar out of me wanting to go to more games. We haven't been to Grandfather mountain before but I understand its the best in the south. Spread out, beautiful, lots to see and do, huge numbers but open enough that you don't feel overly cramped.

Now where do we go to "sign in"? I haven't seen Xmarks posted at any of the other games I've been to.

**macsim** · 12th February 07, 03:57 PM

We had a sign-in sheet at the Fraser tent last year but there were very few X-Markers in attendance. Love to see as many as possible come by. I managed to get Friday off this year and honestly, Friday is a good day to come. Parking is first come, first served on top, the crowd is not as bad and most of the vendors are open and many of the clans are there already. Ya'll come!