Highland Games 2015

The Grandfather Mountain 60th Annual

Games at a Glance OF

New Scottish Cultural Village

AND GATHERING SCOTTISH CLANS

JULY 9-12

Food! Food! Food!

Lay of the Land (Games map inside)

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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July 9, 2015

The crowd gathers for the field events at last year’s games as Grandfather Mountain ascends high in the clouds as a symbol of greatness for all who visit.

PHOTO BY ROB MOORE

Parking at the Games CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

G Doug Leonard instructs the kids during the wrestling clinic during at the Grandfather Highland Games.

PHOTO BY ROB MOORE

The grandest of Games!

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games celebrates past, present and future JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

T

he 2015 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games marks the 60th renewal of one of America’s greatest gatherings of Scottish clans. For six decades, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has served as a grand tartan reunion. On this anniversary year, however, the tradition remains more steeped than ever.

Each second weekend in July (this year from Thursday to Sunday, July 9 to 12), GMHG inundates and educates festivalgoers in traditional Scottish culture, from pipes and drums to haggis and shepherd’s pie.

The four-day festival that is the Games has been a destination for competition, entertainment, reunion and celebration of Scottish heritage by thousands who return each year to “America’s Braemar.”

This year’s GMHG is no different. Whether it’s the opportunity to try Scottish Cottage’s barbecue haggis, competing in events such as the tossing of the sheaf or The Bear, enjoying the dulcet tones of Celtic music from bands from around the world in one of the two groves at MacRae Meadows, observing Scottish traditions and customs or simply stopping by a clan tent to learn one’s family history or pick up a souvenir for a family member or loved one, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games leaves an indelible impression as a unique and fun-filled weekend.

GMHG is a thrilling event where thousands of visitors enjoy a wide range of activities. The musical competitions — fiddles, pipes, drums, harps and more — are a buffet for the ears, while the Games features dancing events that will have the most novice of dancers tapping their feet to the rhythm. Each year, the athletic competitions at

GMHG rival any Scottish games in the world. The foot races such as The Bear, in addition to traditional competitions such as caber throwing, hammer, sheaf and weight tossing, not to mention the popular tug of war, attracts fans and clans of all sizes who cheer the competitors to victory and honor the spirit of friendly competition.

For many attending the Games, the weekend serves as a family reunion of sorts.

The largest single gathering of Scottish clans anywhere in the world, more than 100 in all gather on MacRae Meadows annually for GMHG, as those visiting the Games comprise a population between 30,000 and 40,000 people.

Tickets for GMHG are available by cash or credit card upon arrival at the Games, or visitors may purchase them by credit or debit card at the GMHG office in downtown Linville.

Parking is available at Mac-

Rae Meadows until filled on Thursday and Friday, July 9 and 10, while patrons and sponsors only are allowed special parking privileges on the mountain for Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. Games officials urge patrons to take advantage of the bus shuttle system, where attendees for a small fee can park in Linville and get chauffeured to the Games entrance or, for the first time this year, a weekend ticket pass is available to ride a shuttle for the entire weekend for a one-time fee.

From the torchlight ceremony on Thursday night to the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon, GMHG is chock full of events to entertain the entire family.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is located off Highway 221, two miles north of Linville and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For more information on GMHG, click to www.gmhg. org.

randfather Mountain Highland Games offers several convenient park-and-ride options to complete the final leg of your journey to the Games.

Parking is available at the Games on Thursday and Friday on a first-come, first-served basis, with overflow parking at shuttle lots in Linville. Public parking is not available at the Games on Saturday and Sunday during the day.

Shuttle service is provided for a fee between MacRae Meadows and satellite parking areas in Linville, Newland and Boone. Shuttle fees from Linville and Newland locations are $5 and the fee from the Boone location is $10. Buses do not run in the evenings.

Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department partners with Grandfather Mountain Highland Games to provide shuttle services to patrons, with all transportation proceeds benefiting to the fire department.

Round-trip tickets on the shuttle bus from Boone are $10 per person, with shuttle buses from Caldwell Community College parking lot in Boone to MacRae Meadows and back. Boone shuttle service is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the games (during day events only).

All patrons who purchase a four-day advance ticket receive a free pass for a roundtrip shuttle bus ride for Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Caldwell Community College parking lot in Boone, from Avery County High School (Friday and Saturday) and the Linville lot (Saturday and Sunday) No shuttle bus services will be available for night events, and patrons riding shuttle buses to day events must shuttle off the mountain by 5 p.m. Night events are designated as general public parking.

Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department shuttles from Avery County High School on Friday, but not from the Linville lot. CVFD shuttle from the ACHS and Linville lots on Saturday, while shuttling from only the Linville lot on Sunday.

For more information, click to www. gmhg.org or call (828) 733-1333.

July 9, 2015

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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GMHG 2015 Clan of Distiction: Clan MacNab CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

“L

et fear be far from all,” reads the motto of Clan MacNab. Grandfather Mountain Highland Games’ 2015 Clan of Distinction can trace its origins as far back as the 1100s. Clan septs include Abbot, Abbott, Abbotson, Cleland, Dewar, Gilfillan, Gillan, Maclellan, Macandeoir and MacNair.

Honored Guest Chief James William Archibald MacNab of MacNab resides in Edinburgh, and is on the Executive of the Standing Council of Clan Chiefs, a member of the Royal Company of Archers, or Queen’s body guard in Scotland, and enjoys golfing. MacNab is married to Dr. Jane Macintosh and together they have two children, Daisy and James.

“I feel both proud and humble to now be chief of the clan. I hope that I can be a point of focus for clansmen and women from throughout the world,” MacNab wrote upon becoming chief in 2013 following the death of his father, James Charles MacNab.

HISTORY OF THE CLAN, COURTESY OF CLAN MACNAB The name MacNab comes from the Gaelic Mac an Abu, meaning “the son of abbot.” This strongly suggests that the founder of Clan MacNab belonged to the clerical profession. It is believed that he was the Abbot of Glendochart.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the MacNabs was a relatively large clan.

They, along with the MacDougalls, opposed Robert the Bruce’s struggle for the Scottish crown. Bruce and the MacDougalls fought a number of times. Clan MacNab supported Clan MacDougall against Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Dalry, fought sometime during the summer of 1306, and saw a victory for MacDougall.

Despite this loss, however, Bruce’s cause prevailed and he became king. His victorious troops ravaged the lands of the MacNabs, destroying all the family writs.

Only the Bowain, or Bovain, barony remained in the family’s possession after Gilbert MacNab received a charter from David II. Gilbert is recorded to have died during the time of Robert II. Records of MacNabs from the beginning of the 16th century include Finlay MacNab, the clan’s chief, who received a charter dated January 9th 1502, and his son, titled the fifth “Laird,” was witness to a charter from the king to a Duncan Campbell in 1511.

At the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513,

Chief Jamie MacNab of Clan MacNab. PHOTO COURTESY GMHG

during the Anglo-Scottish Wars, it is thought that the eighth chief, Finlay MacNab’s eldest son, was killed. The chief himself died in 1525 at Eilan Ran. He was buried at Killin, on the lands of Ewer and Leiragan, which were granted to his wife, Maria Campbell, for her lifetime. In turn, his son, also called Finlay MacNab, the sixth “laird,” mortgaged a large percentage of the lands to Campbell of Glenorchy, an ancestor of the Marquis of Breadalbane.

On July 12, 1606, the seventh laird, also Finlay MacNab, entered a bond of friendship with his cousin Lauchlin MacKinnion of Strathairdle from Clan MacKinnion. This chief Finlay continued the violent feud with the Clan Neish, or MacNeish, who held the lands in the upper part of Strathearn and lived on the lower part of Loch Earn, which they called Neish Island.

Many battles were fought between the MacNabs and Neishes with varying success for either side. The last battle fought between the two was at Glenboultachan, where the MacNabs were victorious.

Nearly every Neish was killed in battle.

Though a small number survived and continued to live on Neish Island, Neishes continued to plunder and steal from the neighboring families.

The MacNab chief, one Christmas, sent a servant to the town of Crieff for provisions for the coming festivities. However, on his way back to the MacNab home, the servant was beaten and robbed of everything he had, and could do nothing but return to his master empty handed.

The MacNabs placed responsibility on the Neishes for this attack, and so the chief’s twelve strong and athletic sons were sent out to Neish Island to get revenge, which they more than did. The

brothers, one of whom, called Iain mion Mac Appa, or “Smooth John MacNab.” was said to have been particularly strong and athletic, set off to Loch Earn carrying their boat on their shoulders.

When they arrived at the loch, the men rowed over to Neish Island and killed every Neish there, bar two who managed to hide under a bed. As trophies of their revenge attack, the young men took back the heads of the Neishes along with any plunder they could carry. When the twelve returned they presented to the chief what they had come away with and the piper played “Pibroch of Victory.”

There was intermarriage between the MacNabs and the Campbells when Smooth John MacNab, who was then chief, married a daughter of Campbell of Glenlyon. Together they had one daughter and one son, Alexander MacNab, in 1647. Alexander was only four when he became ninth laird after his father was killed on the Worcester battlefield. The family tried to get some financial relief after the death of Smooth John, however this was unsuccessful.

The MacNab clan was divided during the Jacobite uprisings. John MacNab, the chief, held a commission in the Govern-

ment’s Black Watch Regiment. He fought at the Battle of Prestonpans where he was captured and held prisoner until after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. However, another branch of MacNabs supported the House of Stuart and fought with the Jacobites. These MacNabs were led by Allister MacNab of Inshewan and Archibald MacNab of Acharne.

A lot of the MacNab estate was passed over into the possession of the House of Breadalbane due to the burdens of debt accumulated on the estate by the twelfth chief. Then the last chief who had his home at Kinnell immigrated to Canada.

The chief later returned to Scotland and sold the Dreadnought Hotel in Callander, which was the last of his possessions there.

When he died he left all his heirlooms to Sir Allan MacNab, Prime Minister of Canada, whom he considered the next chief. But Sir Allan’s son was killed in a shooting accident which left the position of chief open since there were numerous claims.

The Clan MacNab family in Glendochart is their secluded, romantic burial place among the trees on the islet of Inch Buidhe, not far from Kinnell.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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July 9, 2015

The Games at a glance • Newland Volunteer Fire Department — first responder • Banner Elk Kiwanis — program sales • Linville Volunteer Fire Department — Firewood and ice sales • Appalachian State University — track and field equipment Number of Scottish clans and societies: 110 Number of clan tents: 200 Distinguished clan: Clan Macnab 2015 honored guest: Jamie Macnab, 24th Chief of Clan Macnab 2015 distinguished guests: Sir Francis Napier, Chief of the Name and Arms of Napier; Jesse Pope, Executive Director, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Authors on the field: Julia Taylor Ebel, Orville Hicks Ambassador of the Games: Tommy Burleson, Avery County native and 1974 NCAA collegiate champion who excelled in basketball at high school, college and professional levels Clan of Excellence (2014 Games): Clan Napier 2014 Clan Tent Award winner: House of Gordon Corporate sponsors/exhibitors: • Mountain Times Publications • High Country Adventures • Glenmorangie / Arbeg • New York Caledonian Club • High Country Brewing • Heartland Harps and Music • Coca-Cola • Thistle School Scottish Country Dance Nonprofit organizations and services provided: • Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department — shuttle bus service • Avery High School — parking • Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute — parking • Linville Central Rescue Squad — parking, concessions and first aid

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Featured highland bagpipe bands in 2015: • Grandfather Mountain Highlanders (host band) • Jamestown Pipes and Drums • The Loch Norman Pipe Band • North Carolina State University Pipes and Drums • Blue Ridge Brass and Pipes/Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums

Featured musical performers in 2015: • Piper Jones • Freestylers of Piping • Seven Nations • John Taylor with Miller, Chambless and Muse • John Devereux • Ed Miller • Chelsea House Orchestra • John Doyle • Marybeth McQueen • The Brothers MacLeod

Clan Tent Assignments 2015 (Alphabetical) Anderson ..................................................... 1-40 Armstrong.................................................... 1-45 Arthur/MacArthur ........................................ 2-33 Bell .............................................................. 1-01 Blair .............................................................. 2-20 Boyd (House of) ........................................... 1-28 Boyd (House of) ........................................... 2-32 Buchanan .................................................... 1-41 Buchanan .................................................... 2-45 Burnett ......................................................... 1-50 Caledonian Soc. Cincinnati......................... 1-14 Cameron ..................................................... 1-03 Cameron ..................................................... 2-05 Campbell...................................................... 1-39 Colquhoun ................................................... 2-62 Council of Scottish Clans............................ X-01 Davidson ...................................................... 1-20 Davidson ...................................................... 2-24 Donald ......................................................... 1-69 Donald ......................................................... 2-75 Donnachaidh ............................................... 1-53 Donnachaidh ............................................... 2-58 Douglas........................................................ 2-21 Duncan Soutar ........................................... X-10 Duncan Soutar ............................................ X-11 Elliot ............................................................. 1-21 Ewen ............................................................ 1-38 Farquharson ................................................ 1-55 Farquharson ................................................ 2-60 Fergusson.................................................... 2-49 Forbes .......................................................... 2-77 Forrester ..................................................... 2-50 Fraser .......................................................... 1-33 Fraser .......................................................... 2-37 Galbraith ...................................................... 1-68 Galbraith ...................................................... 2-74 GMHG Handicapped Tent............................ 1-57 GMHG Lost and Found ............................... 2-01 Gordon (House of) ....................................... 1-26 Gordon (House of) ....................................... 2-30 Graham ........................................................ 1-31 Gregor/American Society ........................... 1-44 Gregor/American Society ........................... 2-47 Gunn ............................................................ 1-13 Hamilton ..................................................... 1-08 Hamilton ..................................................... 2-12 Hay .............................................................. 1-70 Hay ............................................................... 2-76 Henderson ................................................... 1-56 Home ........................................................... 1-67 Home............................................................ 2-73 Home International ..................................... 2-72 Hunter .......................................................... 2-07 Innes ........................................................... 2-25 Johnston/e................................................... 1-43

Keith ............................................................. 1-66 Keith ............................................................. 2-71 Kennedy....................................................... 1-04 Kennedy....................................................... 2-06 Kerr ............................................................. 1-65 Kerr .............................................................. 2-70 Kirkpatrick .................................................. 1-22 Kirkpatrick .................................................. 2-26 Lees McRae................................................. X-13 Leslie............................................................ 1-54 Leslie............................................................ 2-59 Lindsay......................................................... 2-15 Logan ........................................................... 1-11 Losantiville Highlanders ............................ 1-14 MacAlister.................................................... 2-16 Macaulay .................................................... 2-35 MacBean ..................................................... 1-06 MacBean ..................................................... 2-09 MacBeth ..................................................... 1-12 MacCallum/Malcolm................................... 2-17 MacDougall ................................................ 1-49 MacDougall ................................................ 2-54 MacDuffee ................................................... 1-05 MacDuffee ................................................... 2-08 MacFarlane.................................................. 1-36 MacFarlane.................................................. 2-40 MacFie ........................................................ 1-16 MacInnes .................................................... 1-07 MacInnes .................................................... 2-10 MacInnes (Pres. Tent) ................................. 2-11 Mackay ....................................................... 1-64 Mackay ....................................................... 2-69 MacKenzie ................................................... 2-67 Mackinnon................................................... 2-55 Mackinnon................................................... 2-56 Mackintosh .................................................. 1-63 Mackintosh .................................................. 2-68 MacLachlan ................................................. 2-52 MacLaine of Lochbuie ............................... 1-62 MacLaine of Lochbuie ............................... 2-66 MacLaren .................................................... 1-61 MacLaren..................................................... 2-65 MacLean ..................................................... 1-48 MacLean ..................................................... 2-53 MacLellan .................................................... 1-24 MacLeod (Carolina’s) ................................. 2-29 MacLeod (USA) ........................................... 1-25 MacMillan ................................................... 1-52 MacMillan .................................................... 2-57 Macnab ........................................................ 1-32 Macnab ........................................................ 2-36 Macneil ....................................................... 1-15 Macneil ....................................................... 2-19 MacPherson ................................................ 1-23 MacPherson ................................................ 2-27

MacQueen ................................................... 2-39 MacRae........................................................ 1-34 MacRae........................................................ 2-38 MacRae (Cocke) .......................................... 1-35 MacTavish.................................................... 1-58 Maxwell ....................................................... 1-37 Maxwell ....................................................... 2-41 McIntyre....................................................... 1-71 Moffat........................................................... 2-34 Montreat Scottish Society ......................... 1-02 Montreat Scottish Society ......................... 2-04 Morrison ..................................................... 1-19 Morrison ..................................................... 2-23 Munro .......................................................... 1-18 Munro........................................................... 2-22 Murray ......................................................... 1-47 Napier .......................................................... 1-27 National Trust for Scotland ......................... 2-03 Pollock ........................................................ 2-43 Pollock ......................................................... 2-44 Ramsay ....................................................... 1-42 Ramsay ........................................................ 2-46 Rose ............................................................. 1-29 Ross ............................................................ 1-60 Ross ............................................................ 2-64 Scotland Aye................................................ 2-18 Scotland County HG .................................... X-07 Scott............................................................. 1-72 Scott............................................................. 1-73 Scottish Cultural Org. of Triangle................ X-05 Scottish District Families Assoc. ................ 1-30 Scottish Heritage USA................................. 2-02 Scottish Spinning & Weaving ..................... X-12 Scottish Tartans Museum........................... X-04 Sheep Dog Tent ........................................... 1-74 Sinclair, USA ................................................ 2-42 Skene ........................................................... 1-10 Skene ........................................................... 2-14 St. Andrews Soc. of Carolinas .................... 1-46 St. Andrews Soc. of Charleston ................. 2-28 St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. ............................ 1-09 St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. ............................ 2-13 St. Andrews Soc. of Savannah ................... 1-17 St. Andrews University ............................... 2-48 Stewart ........................................................ 2-31 Sutherland .................................................. 2-51 Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association ............... X-02 Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association ............... X-03 Wallace ........................................................ 2-61 Wardlaw....................................................... 1-59 Wardlaw....................................................... 2-63 *Note: Clans are not to cook on the field. Also, front row tents are not allowed to have blinds up that restrict the view of the field.

July 9, 2015

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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Tickets to a slice of Scotland CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

F

our days of Scottish musical entertainment, games and gathering of clans are what is in store for the 60th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. To experience all the Games have to offer, purchase your tickets in advance or at the gate. GMHG officials make the events as affordable as possible for the entire family with separate adult and children pricing. Events or days can be purchased individually or as a complete four-day package for the entire Games, if purchased in advance.

Tickets may be purchased at the GMHG office in Linville or at the gate using cash or, for the first time in Games history, attendees can purchase tickets at the gate with a credit or debit card.

Advance four-day adult passes are $75 and children’s advance four-day passes are $20. These four-day passes include free shuttle bus rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from all shuttle bus locations.

Tickets are $5 each day for children ages five to 12, and children younger than five years old enter free.

Adult admission to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is $15 on Thursday, $20 on Friday, $30 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Tickets cover all activities in the meadows, including the

To experience all the Games have to offer, purchase your ticket in advance. This is a view to Grandfather Mopuntain from the front entrance to the field.

PHOTO BY ROB MOORE

Thursday torchlight ceremony, Friday night Celtic rock concert, Saturday opening ceremony and Celtic Jam, Sunday’s games and the closing ceremony. Note that the Celtic rock concert and Celtic jam are Friday and Saturday, respectively. In previous years, the rock concert took place on Saturday and the Celtic Jam on Friday.

Tickets to attend the Friday night Scottish Dance Gala at Williams Gymnasium at Lees-McRae College are $10 for spectators and are available at the door.

Four-day passes are available online at www.gmhg.org.

July 9, 2015

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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July 9, 2015

We’ve got so much for you to do in the High Country!

The Clachneart, demonstrated by Daniel Goulet, was won by a length of 33-feet, 1.5 inches feet last year. He competed in the amateurs ‘B’ Scottish Heavy Athletic Events.

Beloved Games, new additions Sale of whiskey, beer among changes in store at 2015 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Camp B&B Cabins

PLAY

EAT

Bike

Restaurants

Hike

Breweries

Climb

Wineries

Fish

Nightlife

Slopeside

JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

Pottery Outlets

Clothing Golf

Highland Brewing Company makes its debut at this year’s Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as a corporate sponsor. Tastings will be available, with a number of brews available for purchase on the mountain.

Gear

Bars

RV Sites Pet Friendly

SHOP

Antiques Kayak

F

or the thousands who make the annual trek to MacRae Meadows, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has been a six-decade rock of consistency in celebrating Scottish culture and heritage.

While the Games remains among the greatest and most-attended Scottish games in America, officials continue to seek ways to bring fresh products and programs to the Games that visitors have never experienced in previous visits.

With the 60th rendition of GMHG, staff is excited to unveil multiple additions to the Games that will make an immediate impact on the four-day festivities.

For starters, beer and whiskey corporate partners have been added to the GMHG team, with tents onsite for tastings and purchase. In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of GMHG, Highland Brewing Company of Asheville will have a presence at the 2015 Games. Highland Brewing is a craft brewer, featuring a full line of ale, stout, porter, IPA and lager. Its products include the familiar year-round brews as well as seasonal beers, all produced locally.

Many of these products will be available at the new Beer Tent on MacRae Meadows.

In addition to producing great products, Highland Brewing has a well-deserved reputation for helping to support various projects dedicated to the support and conservancy of the Appalachian Moun-

STAY

Zipline

Catering Concerts

General Stores

Plus INFORMATIVE ARTICLES, SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

PHOTO SUBMITTED

tains. Highland Brewing will have staff at the beer tent to help educate visitors to the Games about the brewing process, the difference in ales, porters and stouts, and other such interesting topics. Beers will be available for purchase for those meeting minimum age requirements.

GMHG also announces that for the first time in its 60 years it will be adding a spirits sponsor to Games. Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, two premier single malt distillers, will join GMHS in 2015 as corporate partners, both at MacRae Meadows and the Sponsor’s Reception. Their teams will include experts who will conduct tastings, SEE NEW, ON PAGE 9

HighCountryNC.com

live the adventure

July 9, 2015

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

NEW: FROM PAGE 8 be able to consult on fine whisky and educate visitors and patrons, featuring some of the best single malt Scotch whiskies on the planet.

A Whisky Tent will be present on the field and drams will be available for purchase. As with the beer tent, confirmation of legal drinking age will be required to purchase a dram or participate in a tasting.

GMHG staff was quick to ensure that proper safety measures have been taken in regard to the new alcohol presence on the mountain.

“We are working in conjunction with Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye regarding law enforcement presence and checking IDs,” GHMG General Manager Tommy Taylor said. “There will be some plainclothes policemen on the grounds helping with enforcement, in addition to the NC Highway Patrol that we have each year at the Games providing assistance.”

In order to better handle a variety of payment options, a new feature GMHG is offering for 2015 is ticket purchases made on the mountain via credit card, a first in the Games’ history.

“We’ve always had ATM machines available in the past for folks to get money to purchase tickets, but this is the first year we’ll be accepting credit cards,” Taylor added. “We’ll have people manning the tent with iPhones and will be able to swipe cards to process those requests.”

A change of note to the events schedule for this year’s games occurs in the music realm, where a switch of dates has occurred for a pair of popular events. The Celtic Rock Concert, which traditionally takes place on Saturday evening and the Celtic Jam, which normally occurs on Friday night, has switched days. Celtic Rock

A new project unveiled at this year’s GMHG is a campaign allowing eligible clans and Scottish societies and affiliations to purchase engraved concrete stones to be installed as part of a walkway at the main entrance to the field at the Games.

PHOTO COURTESY TOMMY TAYLOR/GMHG

Concert will be held on Friday night, July 10, with the Celtic Jam held on Saturday evening, July 11.

Another location where enhancements are being made is with the children’s tent. According to Thomas Taylor, son of Tommy and GMHG’s executive office manager, upgrading of options and the return of beloved activities has been a priority of the Games for this season.

“We’ve been trying many different things and are wanting to bring back those activities that have been successful,” Thomas said. “This year we are bringing back the scavenger hunt to the children’s tent, as well as the passport books, where the clans will stamp the books. We have authors who will be reading in the children’s tent this year, in addition to a coloring contest.”

Another new wrinkle to the GMHG experience is the presence of a survey as a perforated sheet that is part of this year’s Games program. Attendees are encouraged to tear out the sheet, fill out the survey regarding their experience at GMHG, and

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leave the surveys at the information/lost and found tent manned by staff of The Avery Journal-Times.

Another original of this year’s Games is the Inaugural Scottish Cultural Village. Set in Grove 3, the village will feature a closeup look at many facets of Scottish culture.

Every 30 minutes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, invited experts from the US and Scotland will be on the village’s Center Stage to discuss or demonstrate skills such as blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, athletics, piping and drumming, dancing and more. Other aspects of Scottish life, including edged weaponry, period firearms, men’s and women’s ancient dress, clan life and politics and more will be on display.

The complete three-day schedule will soon be available at the Games’ website by clicking to www.gmhg.org.

Additional changes coming to this year’s festivities includes the relocation of this year’s Patron Reception to Sugar Mountain Resort, in addition to an expansion of the announcer’s role, where visitors will notice a consistent flow of information and history from those serving at Master of Ceremonies at various points of the Games.

A future project being unveiled at this year’s Games is the Clan Memorial Stones Project. Games officials invite participating clans, family and Scottish societies to be part of the project. Each qualifying organization will be allowed to purchase a 24-inch square by two-inch thick granite stone to be permanently set in concrete as a lasting memorial at MacRae Meadows.

The stones will form a new walkway for the main entrance to the Games field. Each stone will be engraved with a clan badge and name, set in a concrete panel, and grouted to form a memorial walk for visitors and patrons as they enter the Games each year. The initial subscription for each stone is $1,000 before Sept. 1, 2016, and $1,500 after that date.

Academic rewards JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

A

t each year’s Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, a number of young people are key contributors to helping the Games operate. From picking up trash around the premises to assisting patrons and guests, students have always been pivotal players in the success of GMHG. In return for their service, a number of local high school students can prove extremely valuable, as these students are eligible for, and often receive, financial scholarships awarded by GMHG. For decades, GMHG has made it a priority to assist high school students in Avery County and vicinity who work or volunteer with the Games assistance through scholarships. According to GMHG General Manager Tommy Taylor, hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship aid has been awarded over the course of decades, including four scholarships awarded to deserving high school seniors of the Class of 2015. Taylor added that 100 percent of the recipients each year fall into one or more of three criteria: Students themselves who work for the Games, family members of the students working for the Games or the student is part of a civic group or organization.

“We strive each year to give anywhere from six-to-10 scholarships to high school seniors,” Taylor said. “The scholarship often serves as a motivator for the students to work with us, as they recognize they SEE ACADEMIC, ON PAGE 10

Bella’s

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Page 10

July 9, 2015

A Cultural Experience Scottish Culture Village debuts for 2015 Games more recent years, been the inspiration behind the revitalized Museum for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Edinburgh Castle.

David Burress — Burress is owner and head smith at Calerin Forge and is a third-generation metal smith. David was the first blacksmith hired by the Biltmore House upon opening its historic horse barn. He and his son, Caleb, teach annually at the internationally acclaimed John C. Campbell Folk School during Scottish Heritage Week. He was formerly the blacksmith for the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair, and holds regular classes at his own school (Calerin Forge Custom Iron and School of Ancient Crafts) in Balsam.

Pipers and Drummers — Members of the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming will be on hand to bring its distinct Scottish sounds and musical performance selections.

Rodger Moffet — Moffet is the owner of ScotClans, Scotland’s largest online clan resource. He has written extensively on clan subjects for the past 20 years and also manages a number of clan based social media sites. His website can be located by clicking to www.scotclans.com, and is a valuable resource not only for clan related products but also for history and research purposes.

Larry Satchwell — Satchwell has been part of the Heavy Events since 1978. He retired from throwing in 2007 after 30 years, and has served as a certified heavy-events judge for the past several years. Satchwell’s voice is the one heard announcing from the field,

JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

A

s the 60th edition of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games unfolds, several new attractions are sure to garner interest and excitement from patrons and visitors alike.

One such attraction of note that Games officials are excited about this year is the Scottish Cultural Village. The village will be located at Grove No. 3 and feature a close-up look at many facets of Scottish culture. At 30-minute intervals beginning on Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, experts from the U.S. and Scotland will be on hand at the Village’s center stage to discuss and/or demonstrate a number of skills, including blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, athletics, piping and drumming, dancing and more. Additional aspects of Scottish life, including edged weaponry, period firearms, men’s and women’s ancient dress, clan life and politics and more will be highlighted.

The following is a listing of presenters, demonstrators and speakers scheduled to be part of the Scottish Cultural Village: John Batty — Batty is a consultant specialist in antique arms and armor for Lyon and Turnbull and also specializes in sporting guns. Batty is respected in the field of sporting arms and armor with more than 35 years experience, joining Lyon and Turnbull as a consultant specialist in 2001. He was curator of the arms and armor collections at the National Trust for Scotland for more than three decades, and has, in

ACADEMIC: FROM PAGE 9 can earn a scholarship because of their efforts and affiliation with the Games.”

Students attending a major college or university receive a $1,000 scholarship renewable for four years, for a total value of

$4,000. Students attending a community college receive a $500 scholarship renewable for four years, for a total value of $2,000.

Many students who have worked at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

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informing everyone about what is taking place during the throwing events.

Marjorie Warren — Warren is a native of Scotland, master tartan weaver, designer, and creator of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games tartan.

Her other commissions include The Governors Mansion in North Carolina, The Ambassador to Great Britain and the Rev. Billy Graham. Marjorie has traveled throughout the United States and Scotland teaching, demonstrating and conducting workshops and textile travel Tours — all related to Scottish Tartan Weaving.

Mark Wrinkle — Wrinkle has been participating in Highland Games as an athlete for approximately 15 years.

He is the former less than 200 lb., 40-to-50-year-old world champion. He was also athletic director for Western Kentucky Highland Games for several years, and served as a commissioner for the Southeast Scottish Amateur Athletic Association for Kentucky.

Eilean Yates — Yates is a qualified SCD teacher, having gained her certification at St. Andrews, Scotland.

She is the director of Scottish Country Dancing at the Loch Norman Highland Games in Huntersville. She has taught workshops in many areas and is one of the teachers at Thistle School held annually the week prior to the Grandfather Games at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. For more information on Scottish Cultural Village or Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, click to www. gmhg.org, or call the Games office at (828) 733-1333.

and received scholarships often return to Avery County following school, with a large contingent returning to work and help with the Games they grew to love.

“So often, students return to the area to help with the Games and contribute to making them successful,” Taylor

explained. “We’ve always viewed the scholarships as a way we can make a tremendous investment in their future. More often than not, those same students return after college and continue to work on the mountain and help invest their time to making the Games the success it is today.”

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Asheville’s Scottish Cottage.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Food of the Games CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM

F

rom haggis to shortbread, scotch whiskey to Iron Bru, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games offers a variety of food and beverage options. Haggis, possibly Scotland’s most famous native food, is made from a sheep’s innards. Give this traditional dish a try, or enjoy plenty of less adventurous, but equally delicious fare from both local and international vendors.

Local food vendors for 2015 include Avery County Dancers Flavored Ice, Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department, Carolina BBQ and Linville Central Rescue Squad. These local vendors will serve up the American classics, including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue and all the fixin’s.

A and Y Concessions, Cameron’s British Foods, House of Douglas Bakery, Mookie’s Marvelous Kettle Korn, Fergusen’s Homemade Ice Cream and Scottish Cottage will also be on hand to keep the camp well-fed.

On the hearty side, Cameron’s British Foods will offer Scottish foods like meat pies, haggis, Scotch eggs, fish and chips and varied

UK grocery items.

Asheville’s Scottish Cottage will serve excellent Scottish fare prepared and served fresh on location.

Scottish Cottage travels nationwide to provide highland festivals with a true taste of Scotland, including their peat-smoked haggis.

Peat is cut from the bogs of Scotland and traditionally used to build earthy, smoky fires. Scottish Cottage uses imported peat from Scotland and Ireland to smoke their meats, fish, cheese and haggis.

After braving peatsmoked haggis, Scottish Cottage’s sticky toffee pudding is a great dessert to follow it with.

For sweets and snacks, Fergusen’s Homemade Ice Cream churns out freshly frozen deserts. Avery County Dancers Flavored Ice is another chilly option.

Mookie’s Marvelous Kettle Korn and A and Y Concession’s famous funnel cakes are where to go if you are craving fair food.

House of Douglas Scottish Bakery of east Tennessee will provide a wide variety of authentic Scottish baked goods, including shortbread, scones, bread, cookies and cakes.

July 9, 2015

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Page 11

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

July 9, 2015