Scottish
Highland Games-What’s the Big Deal?
By Nancy Lee Badger
My
husband and I have attended the New Hampshire Highland Games since they started
back in 1975 (before we were married). Later, my husband decided to volunteer
at the three day festival. I stayed home with the boys until the youngest
showed an interest in his Scottish lineage, then we joined him as volunteers. Later,
my other sons also joined in the good times. We watched a small family picnic
of a few hundred like-minded people turn into a massive undertaking where over
40,000 people participate.
What’s
the big deal? Why do people travel hundreds (or thousands) of miles for a few
days of marching bands, ethnic food, and colorfully dressed kilts? When coupled
with the spectacular fall foliage of the New Hampshire White Mountains, their
visit makes for a memorable experience.
These types of celebrations—often called Games—are held up and down the coast of North America and Canada. The main goal is to continue the heritage and to further the sights, sounds, and flavors of Scotland. There are more people of Scottish heritage living in the United States and Canada then there are in Scotland, and the exodus was a massive undertaking. Even now, Scottish tourism is reaping a boon of business from those seeking their Scottish roots.
These types of celebrations—often called Games—are held up and down the coast of North America and Canada. The main goal is to continue the heritage and to further the sights, sounds, and flavors of Scotland. There are more people of Scottish heritage living in the United States and Canada then there are in Scotland, and the exodus was a massive undertaking. Even now, Scottish tourism is reaping a boon of business from those seeking their Scottish roots.
Do
you know the surname you wish to explore? Come to the local Highland Games and
visit Clan Village or the Genealogy Tent. Are you curious about life in merry
old Scotland? Visit the Highland Games historical village. Have you ever
thought about the culture that made you what you are today? Check out the
dancers, bagpipers, and food vendors. It all comes together at any Highland
Games.
The games part of the description is not the
same as the athletics. Athletics are
a vital part of Highland games. Where else can you watch a kilted man or woman
toss a bag of hay over a high pole with a pitchfork? Where can you watch a man
or woman toss a telephone pole? Where can you see 275# or larger muscled men
wearing brightly colored skirts* (oops…call a kilt a skirt and you will be
shunned)
*My husband wants you to know the
difference between a skirt and a kilt is that you wear undies beneath a skirt.
Many
states, communities, and organizations host their own Highland Games and Scottish
festivals. They welcome everyone…a Scottish lineage or kilt are not required.
If you enjoy harps, bagpipes, Highland dance, wonderful food and a sea of sexy
men wearing brightly colored wool kilts, please visit a Highland games or
Scottish festival soon and see for yourself what the big deal is all about!
I have taken my
fifteen years experience as a volunteer at the New Hampshire Highland games to
write a Scottish time travel romance that begins and ends at the Highland
Games. Please check out MY HONORABLE
HIGHLANDER, Book #1 of the Highland Games through Time series. For more
information about the games where I volunteer each fall under the Information
tent, visit www.NHScot.org
Book Blurb
Bumbling present day herbalist, Haven MacKay, gets more than
she bargains for when her love spell goes awry, is cast back in time, and meets
her true love -- Laird Kirkwall Gunn.
Kirk’s plans go slightly off course when he falls in love
with a woman wandering through the Scottish Highlands. After all, he has
pledged to marry another, from an enemy clan, in order to end a century-old
feud.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/Knot6H
NOOK: http://bit.ly/K4TqzH
All Romance EBooks: http://bit.ly/JmqjXJ
ISBN 9781476417400
AUTHOR BIO
After
growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New
Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Due to a
Scottish heritage, she and her family volunteer at the New Hampshire Highland
Games each fall. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of
Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers,
and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy also writes romantic suspense as
Nancy Lennea and is a proud Army Mom.
Website
http://www.nancyleebadger.com
Twitter @NLBadger
On Facebook as Nancy Lee Badger
5 comments:
Thanks for having me, Eliza. I just realized I have less than 3 months to prepare for the NH Highland Games! Cannot wait!
Great post, Nancy. I attended our local Scottish Games for the first time last year. For those of you who have never seen a caber toss, it gives a whole new perspective on the Scottish temperament. Don't you just have to learn more about any place that breeds men wearing skirts (sorry, kilts!) who toss tree trunks for fun?
Thanks, Marin;
Yes, the caber toss is a favorite of all the games. Everyone should experience one of these festivals.
Bumbling and herbalist -- two words I could immediately identify with. Sounds like a fun read.
Hi Nancy, Really beautifully written post. The strength of these men is amazing. Both young and old seem to join in the competitions.
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