Highland Games are great fun for people of all ages and an excellent way for you and your family to
learn more about their Scottish heritage. You don't need to be a clan member to attend and you don't have to wear a kilt!! All you need is an
admission ticket and a desire to have a great day.
In the U. S., there
are numerous highland games going on throughout the year. A good listing can
be found at the Association of Scottish
Games and Festivals website. Every event is different and customs vary
across the country; however, there are certain things that most games have
in common. They're listed here to make your visit a special one!
WHAT
IS A SCOTTISH CLAN AND HOW DO I FIND MINE?
THINGS TO BRING
TICKETS
PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY
ACCOMMODATIONS
FOOD
ACTIVITIES
VISITING YOUR CLAN TENT
CLOTHING
Men
Women
The term "clan"
comes from the Scottish Gaelic word "clann" which means "children". The
concept of "children" (or "family") has bonded the Scottish people
together for centuries. It also caused some of the
bloodiest battles ever witnessed.
Scottish clans are
formed around a common surname and those clans either lived in the highlands
or lowlands; giving rise to the terms "highland clan" and "lowland clan". In
reality, only highland families lived in the clan society we think of today.
Lowland families also formed alliances around their surname but followed a
looser governing structure.
For centuries, smaller family groups allied
themselves with various neighboring clans for protection and political
strength. As a result, many American last names are now linked to at
least one Scottish clan. So how do you find yours? There are a number of
websites that can help but a good list
can be found at
Electric
Scotland.com
Don't worry if you get to
the games before you've located your clan connection. There
are always people available to point you
in the right direction. And if it turns out your last name isn't
Scottish, don't give up. Many societies welcome
affiliate members who don't have a drop of Scottish blood in their body! As
long as you're interested in supporting the goals and programs of that
particular organization, you can enjoy the benefits of
membership regardless of your ethnicity. (Clan Cunningham
USA is one such group. Click here if you'd like to know
more about becoming a CCUSA affiliate member!)
By the way: An excellent, in-depth guide on Scottish Clans is the "Scottish Clan and Family
Encyclopedia" by George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire. Published by Barnes
and Noble Books, it's frequently available in the discount hardback section
at your local Barnes and Noble bookstore or
online.
Games
are held in a wide variety of locations at various times
of day and night. Here are some things you may want to have available:
-
Folding chairs
-
Waterproof ground cloth
if you plan to sit on the ground
-
Flashlight - many
events are held at night where there is rough ground and little light
-
Sturdy walking
shoes
-
Cash for tickets,
parking, and food
-
Sunscreen
-
Rain gear
-
Backpack or rolling tote bag
- to carry your gear and purchases
As
with many events, you can usually purchase tickets in advance and save
money. Check the games website for details or call the
office for information. If you're attending the entire event, you may find
that purchasing a Patron or Sponsor package will also give you some nice VIP
perks - such as reserved parking or access to a hospitality tent.
Parking at a highland game
is often an adventure in itself! Usually, the
best parking spaces are reserved for those who purchase Patron or Sponsor packages. For everyone else, parking
options vary. Smaller games may allow
you to park next to the field but larger ones may need you to park
offsite and take a shuttle. In either case, be prepared to walk some
distance and carry whatever items you're bringing (which is why we
recommend backpacks or rolling totes!) Make sure to bring
money for parking or the shuttle if you don't have a parking pass.
Games officials are
happy to provide services for those with special needs. Often, this includes transportation to your clan tent via golf
cart. Keep in mind that games aren't always 100%
handicapped accessible but motorized scooters and wheelchairs navigate
most areas without difficulty. If you have special needs, contact the games
office before you arrive. They'll do
everything possible to assist you and make
your visit a pleasant one.
Highland games
have a faithful following! In many cities where hotel space is limited
(i.e. small towns or rural locations), reservations are made six months to a
year in advance. If your event falls into this category, we strongly urge you
to make reservations early. This will cut down your drive time and allow
extra time for that second cup of morning coffee!
Food selections vary
significantly depending on the vendors present. In most cases, you'll
usually find traditional Scottish fare such as meat pies, scotch eggs, fish &
chips, scones and shortbread.
Beyond
this, food options are a wild guess. Sometimes, vendors offer deli
sandwiches, hamburgers or barbecue but this varies from event to event. Persons with
special dietary needs may
find it difficult to locate food that's on their program. If you're in this
category, it may be best to bring your own snack.
Concerning
Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol
consumption is regulated by county law and
the games committee. Some games are alcohol-free while others allow it to be
served by vendors, in hospitality tents or at whiskey-tasting seminars. The only way to know is to check with
the games office in advance.
Final Food
Note: Don't forget to bring cash. Not all food vendors take credit cards.
The variety of
events offered at a highland game depend largely on size. The larger the
attendance, the more activities available.
Almost all games include some
type of heavy athletics, such as the caber toss, sheaf toss, and hammer
throw. These athletics can be for amateurs or professionals. Entertainment
ranges from bagpipe and highland dance competition to bands playing Scottish
folk songs or celtic rock. Often, there are Scottish fiddle workshops and
frequently, demonstrations are given by Scottish country dancers, historical
reenactors, and border collie teams. For a full schedule of events, check
the games website or better yet, purchase a souvenir program when you
arrive.
As you might expect, highland
games are full of ceremony designed to produce goose bumps and raise your
Scottish pride. Most games open and close with an impressive event involving
all participating bagpipe bands (called a "massed band"). Some hold a Parade
of Tartans where the members of each clan are announced to visitors and
honored guests as they march together around the parade field. But the most
awe inspiring sight is often found in the nighttime program known as a
Torchlight Ceremony or Calling Of The Clans. This is where a representative
from each clan comes forward adding their torch to a large bonfire;
remembering the days of old when the clans gathered in Scotland.
Once you arrive at the game, make your
clan tent the first stop. Here, you'll learn invaluable information about
your family's Scottish connection and be greeted by friendly faces who want
to extend a warm welcome.
Most clans have a guestbook
they'd like you to sign. This keeps a record of how many people stopped by and clarifies demographics
for that particular event. Signing does not obligate you to
join the organization but some clans will use the information to add
you to their mailing list. If you don't want to be contacted, just let them
know.
All clan societies live and die by their paid memberships
so if possible, make the effort and join while you're there. Annual dues
are inexpensive (about the cost of a simple dinner for two people) and
membership offers wonderful new friends along with continuing
information about your heritage.
One of the most frequent questions we
hear is, "What do I wear to the games?" The answer? Anything you want to! Now that we've settled that, here are some things
that can help you blend
in with the locals!
First of all, we
recommend that both men and women get a copy of "So You're Going To Wear The
Kilt" by J. Charles Thompson. This is the definitive reference for proper
Scottish attire and will keep you from making many social and stylistic errors
connected with Scottish clothing. This information can be essential if you choose to dress in a more
traditional manner or attend formal Scottish events. The book is
available from most game vendors or can be ordered online from
The Scottish Lion.
Reading it will help you know the "rules" before you decide to break them
and will help you avoid "fashion faux pas".
MEN
EVERYDAY WEAR
Let's get this out of
the way now: The majority of men at the games will be wearing a kilt but
many do not. If you're uncomfortable wearing a kilt, you'll find khakis or jeans along with a shirt
embroidered with your clan insignia to be a normal alternative. These shirts can
be purchased online or from vendors at the games.
Another popular option is a vest over
a Jacobite or Kilt/Clansman shirt (period-style muslin shirt
that laces up with leather or
fabric). This lends a more historic look while still working well with jeans or
kilts.
And don't forget your hat! A Balmoral or Glengarry and clan badge pin is worn by
most men - kilt or no kilt. So the choices are varied and up to you.
KILTS and TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH
ATTIRE
If you choose to
invest in a kilt, do some online research and talk to the many vendors at the
games before buying. A kilt is an expensive investment but one that will offer
many years of wear if cared for properly (and you don't gain too much weight!!)
Several variations of kilt-wear are
seen at the games. Some men stick to traditional styles but others prefer the
look made popular by "Braveheart" and "Rob Roy" known as the great kilt or breacan feile.
Another type of kilt that's quickly gaining popularity is the
Utilikilt; however, these are only
appropriate for casual situations and should never be worn as formal attire.
The great kilt is worn in lieu of a traditional
kilt and is essentially a 4 - 6 yard long piece of tartan fabric that's 55 - 60 inches
wide (length depends on body size). It's gathered and pleated around a belt; wrapping the body
in such a manner as to finish by hanging from the shoulder. The great kilt is
normally worn with a Jacobite/Clansman shirt. It takes a good bit of practice to get it
placed correctly and you might need assistance the first few times.
Questions? You'll find plenty of helpful advice
by asking around at the games.
When worn properly, the great kilt a very unique method of historical dress. But be forewarned.
It gets disheveled easily and thus, requires periodic attention throughout the day to keep it looking
neat. A good online resource for the great kilt can be found
on Tartan Web.
There are a number of kilt accessories you'll see at the games. Some are appropriate
for everyone but others are worn only by clan chiefs, drum majors or to
extremely formal events. So, don't get a ticket from the fashion police! Check with
your vendor or refer to "the book". ("So You're Going To Wear The Kilt")
A Final
Note: Jokes are never ending about what a gentleman wears or doesn't wear
under his kilt. You'll find that the choices range from nothing at all (!) to bike shorts,
regular shorts, swim trunks or boxers. The choice is up to you!
WOMEN
Like the men, women should also feel free to wear whatever is comfortable
for
them. Those who choose to wear “something Scottish”; however,
generally fall into one of two categories: everyday dress or
period/historical costume.
EVERYDAY DRESS
You’ll see a wide variety of everyday clothing at the games; from jeans to
jumpers and everything in between. Clan-wear
accessories such as tartan sashes, tams and clan crest pins are worn by
almost everyone. These items are readily available and aren't terribly
expensive. A frequently seen item is a cape, shawl or ruana in tartan
fabric. Another favorite is a pleated skirt; found in knee length (“kilted skirt”)
or ankle
length (“hostess skirt”) versions.
For those who sew, tartan material can be made into a
number of unique items that are both appropriate and comfortable. Tartan
skirts, jumpers, vests and blazers are frequently seen at the games. Fabric
is available from a number of online sources and comes in various weights of
wool, cotton and occasionally, raw silk, flannel or taffeta. Looking for fabric? One highly recommended
vendor is The
Scottish Weaver.
Finally, women who attend formal
Scottish affairs or who are involved in Scottish Country Dancing
usually have specific dress requirements. These are well explained in “So
You’re Going To Wear The Kilt”.
PERIOD/HISTORICAL COSTUME
Many women enjoy wearing period/historical costumes to the games. While
occasionally cumbersome, it's quite striking and looks good on almost every body
type. If you choose to wear period costume, you won’t feel out of place
because there are women of all ages who’ve chosen to do the same.
Generally, there are two approaches you can take if you want to wear
costume. For lack of a better term, we'll describe them as the "popular"
style and the "reenactor" style. Both have components that date between the
mid 1600's to late 1700's and both appear to be historically accurate;
however, students of costume history will find errors in the "popular"
style. So, decide which way you want to go before you buy anything! Either
way, you'll find wardrobe components at the games or online at
Chivalry Sports Renaissance Store ,
Museum Replicas
Ltd. or Jas. Townsend and
Son.
If you choose the "reenactor"
style, a good starting point is
"Dressing for the
'45: Assembling A Basic 18th Century Scottish Woman's Costume",
copyright 2003 M. E. Riley. If you opt for the "popular" look, you'll need the
following wardrobe components:
Chemise:
a long-sleeve muslin or linen shift with
gathered neckline and sleeves. Looks like an old fashioned nightgown.
Usually ankle length but women who attend games in hotter climates have been
known to cut them off at the waist! Color should be natural muslin or
complimentary to your tartan.
Bodice: a lace-up vest that's worn over the chemise. Usually made
from heavy cotton, tartan, velvet, suede, or tapestry. Solid color bodices should
match the clan tartan. At highland games, the bodice
is more conservative as opposed to the lower-cut style frequently
seen at Renaissance faires.
Skirt:
ankle length and very full. Worn
over the chemise. Made of heavy cotton or tartan. Solid colors may match or
contrast the bodice as long as
they're compatible with the clan tartan. Skirts can be split down the front
to reveal the long chemise underneath and can also have a contrasting
overskirt. Hoops are not worn with this style of period dress.
Bonnet (hat): usually a tam (beret) in solid wool or tartan.
Sometimes, a snood is worn in place of a bonnet.
Arisaidh:
(pronounced air-say). An outer wrap made from tartan material. Almost
identical to the man's great kilt,
the main difference is that the women's version is ankle length instead of knee
length. Arisaidhs are made from two to three yards of 45 - 60" wide tartan
fabric (amount varies according to the wearer's height and size) and
require a leather belt or tie at the waist.
Making the Arisaidh: At one end of the fabric,
the two corners are tied in a small knot and the right arm is run through the
opening; allowing the yardage to hang from the right shoulder. A belt is secured at the waist on top of the
fabric. The fabric
is then pulled up underneath the belt until a large, draping fold is
created. The bottom of the fold should line up with the bottom of
the skirt (or slightly higher). Then, the fabric that's still under the belt is
adjusted to go evenly around the waist in soft gathers;
essentially creating an overskirt with a front
slit and a large, draping piece hanging from the right shoulder. Finally, a clan pin or Scottish brooch can be added at the shoulder to secure
everything in place.
In Conclusion:
there are some negatives to wearing costume; most notably restrooms, weather
conditions and driving. However, despite the potential drawbacks, wearing period costume makes
the event even more special and ultimately, you'll be glad you made the extra effort.
Article
copyright © 2004 Beverly B. Lueke / Clan Cunningham USA.
We're happy for you to
link to this webpage if it's helpful.
Please request
permission before making
any other form of duplication.
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