Why so serious?

[cessna152towser]

Do you know, I don't recall seeing anyone like that at any of the Highland games that I have been to.

Oh well, Jock, you will have to come along to some of the Highland games in the central lowlands or southern uplands of Scotland, there are some real characters who can be relied on to show up on the games circuit here year after year, full of their own self importance.

I have only once been to a highland games which was actually held in the Scottish Highlands and that was the Arisaig Games and yes, I'd have to agree with you, I did not encounter any of these very serious but very bizarrely dressed people at Arisaig.

[Jock Scot]

Oh well, Jock, you will have to come along to some of the Highland games in the central lowlands or southern uplands of Scotland, there are some real characters who can be relied on to show up on the games circuit here year after year, full of their own self importance.

I have only once been to a highland games which was actually held in the Scottish Highlands and that was the Arisaig Games and yes, I'd have to agree with you, I did not encounter any of these very serious but very bizarrely dressed people at Arisaig.

Ah Arisaig,what a beautiful place and they lay on a super little Highland games too. We used to go there a lot at one time and I suppose we still go a couple of times a year as it is one of our special places.

[macwilkin]

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.

[rocscotjoe]

I was the "sword bearer" for our Burns Dinner last weekend, and we played it for laughs as much as for ceremony. I carried a nice baskethilt sword owned by our President (who was the quaiche bearer) and then I was singled out as the "haggis fed rustic" during the address...it was all in fun and I doubt anyone took offense at our procession.

The festivals I have been to here in New York have their share of folks suffering Renaissance Festival hangovers, and they tend to be dressed and "in character" more often than not...

[piperdbh]

And while we're on the subject, why do some Games attenders insist on painting their faces blue?

[davidlpope]

I concur with the distinction discussed above:

1. Mock "sword-bearing escorts" that accompany the piper and the presentation of the haggis at a Burns Supper.

OR

2. Bizarrely dressed folks who think that a Highland Games is a chance to channel their inner "Conan" and let their freak flag fly. I have to say that it is really amazing and ridiculous what you see at American Highland Games: pirates, fairies, Vikings, barbarians, half highland clansman/half Native American warrior, etc. For some reason, people seem to think that Highland Games are a cross between Halloween, a Star Trek convention, and the Renaissance Fair...

Cordially,

David

[macwilkin]

I concur with the distinction discussed above:

1. Mock "sword-bearing escorts" that accompany the piper and the presentation of the haggis at a Burns Supper.

OR

2. Bizarrely dressed folks who think that a Highland Games is a chance to channel their inner "Conan" and let their freak flag fly. I have to say that it is really amazing and ridiculous what you see at American Highland Games: pirates, fairies, Vikings, barbarians, half highland clansman/half Native American warrior, etc. For some reason, people seem to think that Highland Games are a cross between Halloween, a Star Trek convention, and the Renaissance Fair...

Cordially,

David

I would tend to agree, with an exception to reputable living history organisations that portray a Scottish military unit from a particular period of history. Such programs, if done correctly, can be very educational & informative.

T.

[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".

[macwilkin]

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.

[Jack Daw]

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".

That's what we do. The whisky is somewhere, maybe on the table.