Scottish Festival Fun

Last Saturday, many of us attended a nearby Scottish Festival for the first time. We hoped to see an Anderson Clan tent, but alas there was none. We did watch some Highland games, where strong men, many in kilts, were trying to heave a 28-pound weight over a bar 18-22 feet high. If you look closely, you can see the blue object just below and to the left of the high bar. We also saw many wares for sale--with ties to the motherland, English, Irish and Scottish. We did buy some Walker's shortbread, which Jim and I so loved when we were in Scotland two summers ago.

They had booths of activities, and we did a few, including "Fight the Knight" and face painting. We also enjoyed much of the tattoo--a formal gathering of pipe and drum bands in full regalia that played Scotland the Brave ("This sounds like Praise to the Man!" Jon said.) and other songs. (Note the tiny drummer girl--and she was good!)

And we tapped our toes and even danced to some songs by area bands that have bagpipe and fiddle. It was a fun, different evening, and we all channeled our inner Scot for at least a few moments.

This T-shirt made me giggle: "Forget Tibet. Free Scotland!" I also liked: "Many have been KILT for calling this a SKIRT." But Jim wanted a different one.

Here are a few of the photo highlights.