Families & Heritage at Great Heights

BY KIMBERLY BROUILLETTE

It’s summer in North Carolina and there’s one thing that can always counted on in Cabarrus County — it will be HOT! Fortunately, residents in this area don’t have far to drive in order to get some relief in the more moderate temperatures of the mountains. One of the most popular and much cooler tourist destinations can be found near Linville; only 75 miles north of Asheville. Located a mere 2.5 to 3 hours away from Concord, the amazing view allows visitors to see Charlotte’s brilliant skyline from 90 miles away on a clear day.

The highest peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain, has an elevation of 5,946 feet above sea level.1 Originally called Tanawha, or “fabulous eagle,” by the Cherokee Indians, the easily-distinguished mountain acquired its moniker from “early settlers who saw the face of an old man’s profile in the outline of the peaks against the sky,” cites Jonathan Martin, in “Grandfather Mountain,” at NorthCarolinaHistory.org. Even Daniel Boone is known to have been an early explorer of the mountain’s nearly untouched wilderness.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to walk across the “Mile-high Swinging Bridge,” make the climb up the steep slopes to see the breath-taking views and visit the nature museum. Many try to spot elusive wildlife, such as black bears, bald eagles, river otters and elk, in the habitat, which has been set aside as a wilderness preserve in cooperation with the Nature Conservancy of North Carolina. The property is composed of roughly 720 acres, with a network of 11 hiking trails meandering through gentle forests and across rugged peaks. “For the most experienced hikers, the Grandfather Trail is considered one of the most technical hikes in the Southeast. Using a series of ladders and cables, this trail takes hikers 2.4 miles from the Milehigh Swinging Bridge to Calloway Peak,” according to ExploreAsheville. com. More information about daily activities, hours of operation and events can also be found on the Grandfather Mountain Park official website, http://www.grandfather.com.

In addition to the regular visitor activities available, a popular, special event returns annually. On the second weekend of July every year, the summer winds of heritage blow. It’s the time of the gathering for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GFMG), once more.

The co-founder of the GMHG, Donald Frances MacDonald, has recounted much of the history of the Highland games, as well as the emigration from Scotland to North America in his book, America’s Braemar: Grandfather Mountain and the Re-birth of Scottish Identity across the U.S., published by Southern Lion Books in 2007. According to MacDonald, “For nearly a thousand years, clansmen, chiefs and competitors met to compete in ancient Celtic sports at a spot in County Meath, Ireland, called Teltown. Later, descendants of those same Irish Celts migrated across the Irish Channel and took their various sports with them. These people were known as the ‘Scotti.’ These were the people who later named their country, Scotland. These clansmen banded together to compete against one another in, what is often defined as, one of the most rigorous forms of competitions in the world, the Highland Games.”

During the first half of the 16th century, changes in British rule, financial hardship, in combination with clan rivalries, created a great rift between the people.

Anger and resentment for the British rulers and amongst the clans came to a head during the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745.

All members of the sponsoring clans are invited to march in the parade behind the massed pipe bands. It has become one of the highlights of the entire weekend.

Photo: Monty Combs

In order to maintain their freedoms and seek financial improvement for their situations, many Scots emigrated to America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

As the Scotch-Irish travelled, they brought with them their love of the traditional Highland Games. It was only natural that Highland Games would soon spring up wherever the Scots settled. Today, the Highland Games touch many areas and lives of people in the USA, Canada and throughout the world, Said Macdonald in his book.

MacDonald first visited Scotland in 1954, where he attended the famous Braemar Highland Games. After returning to America, he joined forces with Mrs. Agnes MacRae Morton. Through their joint efforts, the games began in the summer of 1956. MacDonald used a program he had brought back from Scotland as a pattern to organize the first games. In

Photo: Skip Sickler

As the names are called for each clan, lighted torches positioned in the shape of St. Andrew’s cross are stomped out. Afterwards, all of the clans form a circle and a prayer is recited to end the ceremony.

Photo: Monty Combs

Photo: Monty Combs

the beginning, there were fewer activities and events than there are today.

Frank Vance, a close colleague of MacDonald’s and retired general manager for the games, said of him, “Donald did a lot of work for the first games, including set-up, and even preached as a layman for the first Sunday morning church service.”

MacDonald still maintains a close relationship with the games and returns to Grandfather Mountain, yearly. He mans a Gaelic Tent at the games, which has become a popular gathering place for those who would like to learn more about Gaelic and Scotland’s traditional music. Visitors can find out more about their own potential Scottish heritage there.

In the 1960s, the first official Parade of Tartans commenced, and “Kirking” of the Clans was added to take place at approximately noon on Sunday. Every year, guests of honor and distinguished guests are introduced. In addition, all members of the sponsoring clans are invited to march in the parade behind the massed pipe bands. It has become one of the highlights of the entire weekend.

The GMHG events were expanded when a Torchlight Ceremony was added on Thursday opening night. “From a historical perspective, it was used to summon the clans for battle. It has been transformed from the ancient act to symbolize a different kind of call to the clans. The saltire cross (St. Andrew’s cross) is recognized as Scotland’s ancient symbol. The living cross of light is made up of a representative from all the clans and families who have come to participate. They come from the compass points to indicate the widespread migration of Scots. The Clans give voice to their origins and take their place as part of the gathering on this magnificent mountain,” per the GMHG official site. As the names are called for each clan, lighted torches positioned in the shape of St. Andrew’s cross are stomped out. Afterwards, all of the clans form a circle and a prayer is recited to end the ceremony.

As part of the initial expansion in 1986, Bob Blue and Frank Vance worked together to begin a bagpipes and brass band to complement the games. Blue was responsible for funding the purchase of the brass instruments from England. Since then, the bagpipes and brass music has been inseparable from the games’ heritage.

To draw additional interest in the games, new athletic activities were also added. In the 1960s, the Appalachian State Road Marathon at the GMHG was considered one of the hardest in America. In the 1990s, an additional 5-mile run, called “The Bear.” This five-mile footrace climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain. Today, it’s considered one of the most difficult short runs in America. When the registration began for this year’s games, it only took 15 minutes to completely fill-up all 800 runner registrations.

With time, the original organizers began to age. Frank Vance, who took over as General Manager in 1987, noticed everyone who attended the event had gray hair. Immediately, he became concerned for the future of the gamesand wanted to include younger generations in order to continue the tradition.

Vance thenincorporated more youth and children’s events on Sundays, after the morning church service and Parade of Tartans.

With serendipitous timing, Kirk MacLoed, who had attended the games and performed in the bagpiping competitions since he was merely 12 years old, approached Vance about a revolutionary idea in 1994. MacLoed had always loved the traditional Celtic music, but had begun to develop a modern variation that would appeal to his own generation. He created a perfect marriage between the ancient bagpipes and fiddles with electric guitars and complete drum sets, combined with his own lyrics.

That year, a new stage, soon called “The Grove,” was built in the woods onsite to facilitate the revolutionary venture. Vance joked that when thousands of CDs arrived prior to the games that year, he had no room to store them. The boxes were stacked in the restrooms and nearly every closet. Vance had no confidence that all of the CDs would be sold. Fortunately, MacLoed’s band, Seven Nations, became an instant success with the younger generations at the games. The entire stock of CDs sold out on Friday night, during the first concert. Vance credits this particular addition to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games events as one of the primary reasons interest in the games continued with the younger participants.

Photo Courtesy: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Today, The Grove includes three stages, which are separated by hemlock cedar trees to help absorb overlapping sound. The following has grown to thousands of fans, who come each year to hear the unique and vibrant music. Additional bands have also joined in to be a part of the gathering, to extend the appeal to even more people. See the event schedule on the official GMHG website, www.gmhg.org/ events, for specific days and times, or for more information.

In addition to the Celtic rock, the GMHG has had an ongoing relationship with the Blue Ridge Brass and Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums, which began playing together in 1985. Worldrenowned bagpiper, John Laughridge developed the band, whose first performance was at the games in 1986. Since that time they have performed at all the opening ceremonies and worship services for the games, as well as special concerts.

Laughridge, who is recognized as one of the top bagpipers in the world, conducts an annual summer school for bagpiping and brass at Grandfather Mountain for the three weeks prior to the games. Pipers and brass players from all over the world, including those in law enforcement, including those in the “Black Watch” for funeral services, attend yearly.

Many of the bagpipers compete in the competitions at the GMHG, where spectators can enjoy their performances.

From a few hundred people, the GMHG has grown to entertain approximately 30,000 people each year. This inspiration from one man’s efforts, has become an incredible event. Currently, the event is known worldwide as “America’s Braemar,” and is the first and largest in North Carolina.

Today, MacDonald claims it has become “the model for over 200 new Highland Games across the US and sparked the beginnings of scores of Burns clubs, clan & St Andrew societies, pipe bands, classes in piping, drumming, Scots fiddle, clarsach, the jaw-harp or “trump”; sheep dog herding exhibitions, Highland and Scottish country dancing, Nova Scotia-style step-dancing, Gaelic singing and weaving.”

The 64th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will be held July 11-14, 2019 at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC. Ticket and event information can be obtained via the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games website, www.gmhg.org, or by calling the event office at 828-733-1333.

“Music on the Mountain!”

BY KIMBERLY BROUILLETTE

In the early 1990s, accomplished musician Kirk McLoed was inspired to form his innovative band, Seven Nations, by reinventing traditional Highland music with a modern twist. The exciting combination of bagpipes, fiddles, electric guitars and drums grabs the listener’s attention, immediately. This year marks 25th anniversary since they débuted their first album, Rain and Thunder. Since then, the band has entertained enthralled audiences throughout America, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Once again, they will be returning to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, where they launched their long and rewarding career in 1994. For concert information, look at the GMHG event schedule on www. gmhg.org. Find out more about Seven Nations at sevennations.com.