61st Annual Games
JU ULY LY LY 7-10
Games of the Games Lay of the Land (Games map inside) A Special Publication of
Scottish Cultural Village Music on the Mountain
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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July 7, 2016
PHOTO MATT DEBNAM
Shuttle bus tickets from Avery County High School and Linville will be $5 per person. Contact the Games office for more information.
Purchasing tickets to the Highland Games BY LANEY RUCKSTUHL LANEY@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Visitors gather around the track as the track and field events take place during the Grandfather Mountain 2015 Highland Games.
A Games for everyone Welcome to the 61st annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games LUKE BARBER LUKE.BARBER@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
O
n the weekend of July 7 to 10, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will commence at MacRae Meadows, just off Highway 221 while ascending Grandfather Mountain. In what is now a time-honored tradition, people from all across the U.S. will travel to Linville to witness this great spectacle of Scottish heritage. The festivities will begin in epic fashion on July 7. The Bear, a five-mile race that starts from the base of the mountain and ends at the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, will be the first major event of the weekend. More than 800 runners compete in the race. Once the athletes arrive at the top, they will have scaled a 1,000-foot ascent in just two miles. Later in the evening, the Torchlight Ceremony will signal the official start of the Games. Meanwhile, the annual Patrons and Sponsors Dinner will be held on Thursday evening, July 7, at the Best Western Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk. The dinner gives the sponsors of the games a chance to meet the Board of Trustees, as well as other distinguished guests.
The first full day of the Games, Friday, July 8, begins with the opening ceremonies. Throughout MacRae Meadows there will be numerous tents and activities running all day and through the weekend, including the Scottish Cultural Village, Highland Wrestling Clinic for children, children’s tent and field activities, harp workshop, sheep herding, history and genealogy tents for clans, the highland dance pre-championship, Lochaber Trump tent and the fiddling tent. In the evening, the festival will shut down for a short period to prepare for the Celtic Rock Concert, which will last into the night. This year’s acts include crowd favorites such as The Scots and The Celtic Grooves, as well as other artists and musicians. The Scottish Dance Gala also be held will be held at the same time at Williams Gymnasium at Lees-McRae College (tickets for the dance will be sold at the door). The weekend churns into full gear on Saturday, July 9, with the Grandfather Mountain Marathon. This race is often cited as one of the toughest in the country. Competitors will run a total of 26.2 miles across a rolling terrain that, when added together, climbs up more than 3,000 feet and includes 13 miles that are completely
uphill. Tents and events continue throughout the day and will come to a close with the Celtic Jam at MacRae Meadows. The last day of the Games, Sunday, July 10, will begin with a worship service right outside of the main gate with a demonstration of Scottish heavy athletics in the afternoon. Professional and amateur men and women of varying strengths and sizes compete in caber tossing, hammer throwing, stone throwing, weight distance throwing, weight height throwing and sheaf tossing. The Games culminate that evening at the closing ceremonies. Graham McTavish, a Scottish actor in the “Outlander” series, will be attending the games. Fans will be able to meet him at the “Gathering on the Ridge.” Camping out at the games costs $55 for adults and $20 for children ages 5 to 12. Parking is available at MacRae Meadows from July 7 to 9. On July 10, parking is available at Caldwell Community College lot in Boone, the parking area at the intersection of Highways 105 and 181 in Linville and Avery County High School in Newland. Shuttles from parking destinations to Grandfather Mountain cost $5 to $10 per person and are based on location.
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uests to the 2016 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games can purchase tickets that allow them to experience the Games in full or pick and choose events and days to get a taste of the excitement. Tickets may be purchased near the entrance gates or at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Office in Linville. Beginning with the 2015 Games, credit cards were accepted on the Mountain at the Games’ main gate entrance. Cash, as always, is also accepted at both the Games entrance and the main office off the mountain in Linville. Advance four-day tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children, including shuttle bus rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Advance weekend passes can also be purchased without shuttle bus rides for $55 for adults and $20 for children. Purchased separately, shuttle bus tickets from Avery County High School and Linville will be $5 per person. Shuttle bus tickets from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s campus in Boone are $10 per person. Contact the Games office at (828) 733-1333 for full information on shuttle locations, dates and times. Tickets to attend the opening Torchlight Ceremony on Thursday night are $15. On Friday, admission to the preliminaries and Friday night concert is $20, or attend just the concert for $15. Tickets for the Scottish Dance Gala at Lees-McRae College are $25 for dancers and $10 for spectators. Tickets for the Saturday games and concert are $30, or $15 for the concert alone. Tickets for the Sunday games are $15. All children’s tickets (ages 5 to 12) for day events are $5. Children younger than 5 are admitted free of charge. For more information, click to www.gmhg.org.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016
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2016 Clan of Excellence:
Clan MacLaren JAMES LUKE BARBER JAMES.BARBER@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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lan MacLaren is one of the oldest clans that originate from the Gaelic tradition. According to myth, the first of their clan was conceived by a mermaid and a mortal man with whom she fell in love with upon seeing him on the shore. Just about anyone would be surprised to find a mermaid as a long-lost relative with genealogy websites, but the true significance of the myth is the mysterious quality it gives to the MacLaren lineage. It is an ancient one indeed. The MacLaren name dates back to at least 1200 A.D., but the people of the clan lived together in close-knit communities centuries before adopting a patronymic. The genealogy of the chiefs can be traced back to King Lorn Mor of the royal house of Dalriada. Balquhidder and Strathearn, the mother land of the MacLarens, resides in the central Scottish Highlands. The mountains made the MacLarens a tough, strong and sturdy folk. Throughout their history they have done much to protect their land. When it came time to face the strong hand of feudalism from the Crown, they resisted and held off the English insurgency at Creag an Tuirc (the Boar’s Rock). In the wars of Scottish Independence, they fought valiantly and gained much notoriety. Perhaps their most important moment was at the battle of Stirling Bridge. Led by William Wallace, they fought back English forces and refused
them entry into Scotland. This was a major turning point in the war. Today, MacLarens can be found all across the world. Their migration out of Scotland accelerated around the 18th and 19th centuries, likely due to industrialization. Despite their presence around the globe, MacLarens preserve their heritage in Clan Societies, including the Clan MacLaren Society of North America. No matter where they reside, members will always shout their ancient battle cry: CREAG AN TUIRC! This year’s guest of honor, Donald MacLaren, is the current chief of Clan MacLaren, and has held the position for the past 50 years. According to record, he is the 25th head of the clan, a title that dates back 800 years. Donald MacLaren is a graduate of Edinburgh University. There he graduated in classics and English and also played on the rugby team. He has since worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is currently a political advisor to business leaders operating in Eastern Europe. The Clan of Excellence is chosen every year by the organizers of the Highland Games. “The clan with the highest ranking visiting dignitary is typically chosen to be the clan of honor,” Grandfather Mountain Highland Games General Manager Tommy Taylor said. “A clan chief visiting from Scotland is an honor in itself for any clan. It takes a great deal of planning on each clan’s part and we typically schedule several years in advance.”
PHOTO COURTESY GMHG
Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacLaren pictured above.
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
The Games at a glance
July 7, 2016
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
The torchlight ceremony marks the commencement of the Grandfather Highland Games.
Number of Scottish clans and societies: 100 Number of clan tents: 200 Honored clan: Clan MacLaren 2016 honored guest: Donald MacLaren, 25th Chief of Clan MacLaren 2016 distinguished guests: Howard P. Hart, 25-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Andrew Durie, military veteran and businessman. 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 (2015 Games): Clan McNabb 2015 Clan Tent Award Winner: Clan Davidson Corporate sponsors/exhibitors: • Ardbeg Distillery • Coca Cola • Duncan Soutar • Glenmorangie Distillery • Heartland Harps • High Country Radio • Highland Brewing • Lowe’s • The Avery Journal Times & Mountain Times Publications • New York Caledonian Club • Scottish Country Dance Thistle School
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
A salute to the men and women of the armed forces. Each branch’s song is played in honor of those who served or are currently serving. • APPALCart — shuttle bus service • Linville Central Rescue Squad — parking, concessions and first aid • 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 Featured Highland bagpipe bands in 2016: • 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
Nonprofit organizations and services provided: • Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department — shuttle bus service • Avery High School — parking • Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute — parking
Featured musical performers in 2016: • Elias Alexander
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Chambless And Muse Jack Devereux The Freestylers of Piping William Jackson Brian McNeill Steven MacDonald Brothers McLeod Marybeth McQueen Ed Miller Piper Jones Band Raven and Red Hannah Seng Seven Nations SYR John Taylor Nick Watson
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Seven Nations is back for this year’s event.
VISIT OUR BEER CAVE We have Scottish beers! Wine Tastings 1-5pm on Saturdays Gluten-free products available Grandfather Center NC 105 & NC 184 Banner Elk / 828.898.9424 erickscheeseandwine.com
’ PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Grandfather Mountain serves as the backdrop for the Games.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016
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Game of Throws: Games of the Games LUKE BARBER LUKE.BARBER@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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he modern world seeks to incorporate elements from once unique, secluded societies into a single global culture. Due in part to technology’s hold on our lives and the imminent affect of globalization on local communities, it is more important than ever to uphold traditions that resurrect the past, no matter what culture you come from. That is where the Highland Games become important. Newland, Boone, Linville, Blowing Rock and the surrounding areas are overwhelmingly populated by people with Scottish and European heritages. So, it is essential, or at least educational, to remember what the culture was like for the people who preceded those who crossed the great pond and landed on American shores. Sports is a reflection of society, as it points to values considered important by the whole. So what can we assume about a people who wear kilts and blow on bagpipes? Well, considering that kilt-fashioned men pride in throwing around heavy objects, we can say that each Scottish clan valued physical strength and valor in their
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Doug Leonard leads the children out for the Highland Wrestling Clinic. own family, and perhaps eccentricity as well. Scottish heavy athletics is, as the name implies, a type of weightlifting focused on explosiveness. In the caber toss event, for example, competitors toss a long wooden pole into the air, trying to make it flip as it travels a distance. The hammer throw as well consists of competitors swinging around a metal ball
attached to a chain. They let it go at the right moment and watch it sail through the air. Clachneart, also known as stone throwing, is where competitors must project a 16-pound stone as far as possible. In the sheaf toss, distance is not quite as important. In this event a pile of hay, or sheaf, must be tossed over a high bar without touching it. Whoever throws it the highest distance wins.
However, athletics isn’t all beef and brawn. There are events for the “light” athlete as well and some for the artisan. Two intense arduous runs take place over the weekend. The first is The Bear. Competitors run five miles up Grandfather Mountain, which is almost entirely uphill, and finish at the Mile-High Swinging Bridge at the top. The other run is even more intense. The Grandfather Mountain Marathon is one of the toughest in the country. It is 26.2 miles long, starts in Boone and finishes on top of Grandfather Mountain. Needless to say, it is not for the faint of heart. Other events include a Scottish dance competition where participants are judged on interpretations of traditional Scottish dances and a fiddlers competition that hosts enough talented fiddlers to rival the likes of Charlie Daniels. Last but not least, the Scottish prided themselves in wrestling, and those brave enough to dawn a kilt and go toe-to-toe with a another competitor will be provided the opportunity. Adults and children alike can participate in the wrestling event, in their own divisions of course. Young and old may also compete in the Kilted Mile, open to everyone.
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016
Scottish Cultural Village
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A glimpse of traditional ways of living MATT DEBNAM MATT.DEBNAM@GMAIL.COM
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he Scottish Cultural Village returns for its second year at the 2016 Games, offering patrons a chance to step back in time and learn about traditional Scottish living through demonstrations and discussions with experts on a variety of topics. At 30-minute intervals beginning on Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, experts from the US and Scotland will be on hand in the Chieftain’s Tent 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 traditional dress, clan life and politics and more will
be highlighted. Programs run from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For a full schedule, stop by the Village and pick up a program. The following is a listing of presenters, demonstrators and speakers scheduled to be part of the Scottish Cultural Village: David Burress — Burress is owner and head smith at Calerin Forge and is a thirdgeneration 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 SEE VILLAGE, PAGE 8
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Renowned blacksmith David Burress instructs a young apprentice on the finer points of metalworking in a demonstration at the Scottish Cultural Village.
Clan Tent Assignments 2016 (Alphabetical) Anderson ......................................... 2-70 Armstrong ........................................ 2-71 Bell ................................................... 2-40 Blair.................................................. 1-18 Boyd (House of) ................................ 1-46 Boyd (House of) ................................ 2-50 Buchanan ......................................... 1-63 Buchanan ......................................... 2-67 Burnett ............................................. 2-72 Caledonian Soc. Cincinnati ................ 1-14 Cameron .......................................... 1-19 Cameron .......................................... 2-23 Campbell .......................................... 2-64 Colquhoun ........................................ 2-42 Council of Scottish Clans .................. X-01 Davidson .......................................... 1-45 Davidson .......................................... 2-49 Donald ............................................. 1-06 Donald ............................................. 2-09 Donnachaidh .................................... 2-74 Douglas ............................................ 1-20 Duncan Soutar ................................. X-10 Duncan Soutar .................................. X-11 Durie Family ..................................... 1-39 Elliot ................................................. 2-51 Ewen ................................................ 2-47 Farquharson ..................................... 1-40 Farquharson ..................................... 2-44 Fergusson ......................................... 1-49 Forrester .......................................... 1-50 Fraser .............................................. 1-48 Fraser .............................................. 2-53 Galbraith ........................................... 1-73 GMHG Handicapped Tent .................. 1-57 GMHG Lost and Found ..................... 2-01 Gordon (House of) ............................. 1-26 Gordon (House of) ............................. 2-30 Graham ............................................ 2-55 Gregor/American Society .................. 1-67
Gregor/American Society .................. 2-73 Gunn ................................................ 1-37 Gunn................................................. 2-41 Hamilton .......................................... 1-08 Hamilton .......................................... 2-12 Hay .................................................. 1-05 Hay ................................................... 2-08 Henderson ........................................ 2-06 Home ............................................... 2-21 Hunter .............................................. 1-43 Innes ............................................... 1-32 Johnston/e ....................................... 2-68 Keith ................................................. 1-07 Keith ................................................. 2-10 Kennedy ........................................... 2-24 Kerr ................................................. 1-04 Kerr .................................................. 2-07 Kirkpatrick ....................................... 1-44 Kirkpatrick ....................................... 2-48 Lees McRae ...................................... X-13 Leslie................................................ 2-77 Lindsay ............................................. 1-33 Lockhart ........................................... 2-62 Logan ............................................... 2-36 Losantiville Highlanders .................... 1-15 Macaulay ......................................... 1-36 MacBean ......................................... 1-23 MacBean ......................................... 2-27 MacCallum/Malcolm ......................... 1-38 MacDougall ..................................... 1-64 MacDougall ..................................... 2-69 MacDuffee ........................................ 1-25 MacDuffee ........................................ 2-29 MacFarlane....................................... 2-61 Macfie ............................................. 2-39 MacInnes ......................................... 1-22 MacInnes ......................................... 2-26 Mackay ............................................ 1-09 Mackay ............................................ 2-13
MacKenzie ........................................ 1-01 MacKinnon ....................................... 1-69 MacKinnon ....................................... 2-75 Mackintosh ....................................... 1-03 Mackintosh ....................................... 2-05 MacLachlan ...................................... 1-47 MacLaine of Lochbuie ...................... 1-10 MacLaine of Lochbuie ...................... 2-14 MacLaren ........................................ 1-13 MacLaren ......................................... 2-18 MacLaren ......................................... 2-17 MacLean .......................................... 1-62 MacLean .......................................... 2-66 MacLellan ......................................... 2-52 MacLeod (Carolina’s) ....................... 1-27 MacLeod (USA) ................................ 2-37 MacMillan ........................................ 1-70 MacMillan ......................................... 2-76 Macnab ............................................ 2-54 Macneil ............................................ 1-28 Macneil ............................................ 2-32 MacPherson ..................................... 1-52 MacPherson ..................................... 2-56 MacQueen ........................................ 1-41 MacRae ............................................ 1-34 MacRae ............................................ 2-38 MacRae (Cocke)................................ 1-35 MacTavish ........................................ 2-19 Maxwell ............................................ 1-65 Maxwell ............................................ 1-66 McAlister .......................................... 1-42 Moffat............................................... 1-68 Montreat Scottish Society ................ 1-29 Montreat Scottish Society ................ 2-33 Morrison .......................................... 1-21 Morrison .......................................... 2-25 Munro .............................................. 1-30 Munro............................................... 2-34 Murray .............................................. 2-78
Napier .............................................. 2-57 National Trust for Scotland ................ 2-03 Pollock.............................................. 2-31 Ramsay ........................................... 1-61 Ramsay ............................................ 2-65 Rose ................................................. 2-58 Ross (America) ................................. 1-11 Ross (America) ................................. 2-15 Ross (United States).......................... 2-11 St. Andrews Soc. of Carolinas............ 2-60 St. Andrews Soc. of Charleston ........ 1-56 St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. .................. 1-31 St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. .................. 2-35 St. Andrews Soc. of Savannah........... 1-17 Scotland County HG .......................... X-07 Scott ................................................. 1-12 Scott ................................................. 2-16 Scottish Cultural Org. of Triangle ....... X-05 Scottish District Families Assoc......... 2-59 Scottish Heritage USA ....................... 2-02 Scottish Spinning & Weaving............. X-12 Sheep Dog Tent ................................ 1-74 Sinclair, USA ..................................... 1-59 Skene ............................................... 1-24 Skene ............................................... 2-28 Society of William Wallace................. 1-02 Society of William Wallace................. 2-04 Stewart............................................. 1-53 Sutherland ....................................... 1-54 Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association ....... X-02 Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association ....... X-03 Thom(p)son ...................................... 2-22 Wallace............................................. 1-55 Wardlaw ........................................... 2-20 Young ............................................... 1-60 Young ............................................... 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.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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July 7, 2016
Academic rewards
GMHG assists local students through scholarship program MATT DEBNAM MATT.DEBNAM @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 offer high school students
VILLAGE: FROM PAGE 7 School of Ancient Crafts) in Balsam. 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
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 eight scholarships awarded to deserving high school seniors of the Class of 2016. 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
heavy-events judge for the past several years. Satchwell’s voice is the one heard announcing from the field, informing everyone about what is taking place during the throwing events. 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-50year-old world champion. He was also
On duty
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Humans are not the only one’s that wear kilts. This canine patrolled the Games in style while attracting photo opportunities like this one.
seniors,” Taylor said. “The scholarship often serves as a motivator for the students to work with us, as they recognize they 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. This year’s recipients include Grady Coleman Bailey III, McKinley William Calloway and Hannah Elizabeth Daniels. Students attending a community college receive a $500 scholarship renewable for four years, for a total value of $2,000. This year’s recipients are Jacob Keener, Savannah Noelle Church, Aubrey Noel Greene, Emma Grace Shell and Olivia
Blaze Huskins. Many students who have worked at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games 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.”
athletic director for Western Kentucky gist and Historian) to the Chief of Durie, Highland Games for several years, and and to COSCA. Durie is currently the served as a commissioner for the SouthFulbright Senior Scottish Studies Scholar, east Scottish Amateur Athletic Association researching Scots-American migrations for Kentucky. at St Andrews University in Laurinburg Blue Ridge Brass / Pipes & Drums. and will be offering a program on Scottish — The band was formed in 1985 at the ancestry. request of the GMHG Board of DirecVirginia Watson — Watson is an tors. Its purpose was to play the anthems award-winning costume designer who for the opening has been creating ceremonies of the beautiful Renaisgames and music sance and Medieval for the worship clothing for over service. The band is 30 years. After her currently composed initial training in of 15 brass players, pattern-making six pipers and three for clothing, she drummers. They trained under have played all world-famous bootopening ceremonies maker and founder PHOTO BY ROB RANDELL of Merrell Shoes, and worship services for the games Visitors to the Scottish Cultural Village Randy Merrell. since 1986 and have will have the chance to explore tradiAfter many trips to tional Scottish ways of living through a also performed Scotland and Engseries of up-close-and-personal demonat the National land, studying every strations. Cathedral Kirkin’ piece of historical of the Tartans, clothing she could The Kennedy Center for the Performing find, Virginia found her true calling — Arts, Arlington National Cemetery and making Celtic historical clothing. Watson many other churches and highland games will offer programs on Women’s 18th around the Southeast. The band is under Century Clothing and Men’s Great Kilts. the direction of James Laughridge who Peter Wilson — Scottish born and is also the composer and arranger for the raised, Wilson is President of Great Scot band. They will be performing an hourInternational in Charlotte. The company long concert at the Village every day from has been importing Scottish food and noon to 1 p.m. beverages for more than 16 years and supDr. Bruce Durie — Durie is considplying trade and retail customers across ered one of Scotland’s top genealogists, the US. GSI is also heavily involved in the with an international reputation. He supply of tartan fabric and merchandise, is best known for his BBC radio series, representing a leading Scottish textile “Digging Up Your Roots,” as author of 30 company in the US. Wilson will offer a books, including the best-selling “Scottish program on the Scottish tea industry. Genealogy” and for the much-acclaimed Those who attend five or more programs postgraduate program in genealogical at the village will be eligible to receive a studies at the University of Strathclyde wax seal pin as a special prize (while supin Glasgow. He is Shennachie (Genealoplies last).
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016
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PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Celtic rock band Seven Nations will play at the Highland Games this year.
What’s new at the games
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Highly acclaimed folksinger Ed Miller, second from left, is one of many musicians playing at the Games this year.
Newcomers, returning favorites grace Games with musical delights MATT DEBNAM MATT.DEBNAM@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
LANEY RUCKSTUHL LANEY.RUCKSTUHL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
W
hile the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are based upon tradition, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for change. Perhaps the biggest change at this year’s games is that alcohol will no longer be sold on site, so those looking for beer and whiskey will have to find it elsewhere. However, attendees will be able to enjoy new vendors and bands at the festival this year. New vendors include Why Knot Imagine?, a knot artist, a new woodcarver and others. Attendees with little ones in tow should also check out the Children’s Tent for new activities, such as storytelling and a remake of last year’s scavenger hunt. New music will also be at this year’s festival. Catch Celtic rock band Seven Nations, as well as Columbia, S.C.-based Celtic folk band SYR. Seven Nations will play from 3:25 to 4:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday. SYR will play from 7:15 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Most events will be held in the same locations as last year, with the exception of the Friday night reception, which will be held at the Best Western in Banner Elk this year, a change from last year, when the reception was held at Camp Yanahnoka in Linville.
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o Highland Games would be complete without the lively melodies of flutes and fiddles, as well as the raucous roaring of bagpipes and drums. A number of new faces and old friends will grace the Highland Games music scene this year, bringing audiences an eclectic mix of Celtic sounds. A full listing of the bands at this year’s Games is included below. • Traditional singer/songwriter and Edinburgh native Ed Miller returns to this year’s Games with his traditional Scottish folksongs. Over the past 30 years, he has established himself as one of Scotland’s finest exported folksingers and can often be found performing at concerts, Burns suppers and Highland Games across the US. • Brian McNeill has been described as “Scotland’s most meaningful contemporary songwriter” by The Scotsman. A man of many talents, McNeill has toured with some of Celtic music’s most influential bands, plays more than a dozen instruments and has also written three novels. McNeill’s songs about Scotland’s past and future have established his reputation as a songwriter. • Seven Nations returns to rock the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games again this year. Described as roots, folk, dance and fusion-rock, Seven Nations has played everywhere from the Royal Mile to the Olympics and will bring their rollicking Celtic sound back to the mountain during this year’s Games. • Nick Watson has been a dynamic force in Celtic Rock in America for many
years as one of the original members of Clan Na Gael, Seven Nations, Celtic Soul and, in his most recent super-group, Rathkeltair. He played snare with the legendary Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band and has the breadth of knowledge, passion and generosity of spirit to bring out the true potential of any tune. • Born in Aberdeen, John Taylor started learning fiddle when he was 8 years old. At age 10, he began studying with the late Kim Murray of Elgin. In 1979, John moved to San Jose, Calif. He played for years with the pub band Emerald, but has also had his own bands (The Back Close Band, Twisted Knickers, Hamewith) and has played with many other well-known musicians, notably Ed Miller, Men of Worth and, more recently, Scooter Muse and Jil Chambless, and can be heard playing at Scottish festivals throughout the US. • William Jackson has been at the forefront of Scottish traditional music for nearly 30 years. In addition to his stature as one of the leading harpers and multiinstrumentalists in Scotland, William has gained an international reputation as a composer. • SYR is a Celtic Folk-Rock band from Columbia, SC. What started as a small traditional cover band has evolved into a serious endeavor with a unique blend of genres. Taking inspiration from Celtic history and myth, SYR creates original songs with themes like battle, love, loss, heritage and a large pint. • Western North Carolina native Hannah Seng devotes herself to writing songs and playing tunes on her banjo and fiddle in traditional Appalachian old-time and Irish styles.
• Raven and Red is an award-winning acoustic music duo formed by lead singer/guitarist Mitchell Lane and fiddler/singer Brittany Jones. Both graduates of the School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Mitchell and Brittany are well versed in classical repertoire and enjoy combining these techniques in their recordings and live performances. • Piper Jones is a celebration of the Highland pipes with the percussive strains of drums and bouzouki, balancing integrity of tradition with playing with a sense of true abandon. • The Brothers McLeod, David and Michael, are EUSPBA Grade I solo competition bagpipers from upstate SC, and are members of the Atlanta Pipe Band. • Marybeth McQueen began learning the Highland pipes at age 8, and has been attending the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming for many years. In 2014 she placed 2nd in the US Scottish fiddle championship and in 2015 won “Best March” in the open level. • Jack Devereux grew up fluent in the musical traditions of both sides of the Atlantic. He has been an All Ireland finalist on both Fiddle and Uilleann Pipes and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. • Flute and guitar duo Chambless and Muse bring their traditional music of Scotland, Ireland and early America to house concerts and festivals throughout the US and Scotland. • The Freestylers of Piping is a four-piece pipe band that combines traditional Scottish music and their own freestyle sound of piping and drumming.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED
Haggis, made from a sheep’s innards, is one the most famous traditional Scottish foods.
Satisfy your Scottish appetite or your sweet tooth LANEY RUCKSTUHL LANEY.RUCKSTUHL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
W
hether you’re looking for shortbread or haggis, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is ready to satisfy your Scottish appetites. Scotland’s most famous food is Haggis, made from a sheep’s innards. A va-
riety of traditional dishes from international vendors will be available, but for the less adventurous, local vendors will also be ready to serve the hungry. Local food vendors for 2016 include Avery County Dancers Flavored Ice, Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department, Carolina BBQ and Linville Central Rescue Squad. For those who aren’t as interested in Scottish cuisine, these
vendors will serve Carolina classics like BBQ and hot dogs. Also onsite will be A and Y Concessions, Cameron’s British Foods, House of Douglas Bakery, Mookie’s Marvelous Kettle Korn, Fergusen’s Homemade Ice Cream, Steele’s Concessions and Scottish Cottage. Cameron’s British Foods and Asheville-based Scottish Cottage are the
place to go for haggis, Scotch eggs and other hearty favorites that will help give you a taste of the culture and satisfy your appetite. For those with a sweet tooth, A and Y Concessions, House of Douglas Bakery, Mookie’s Marvelous Kettle Korn and Fergusen’s Homemade Ice Cream Stand are the places to go to get funnel cakes, ice cream cones and more sugary treats.
COMING TO BOONE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10 6 PM - 9 PM WATAUGA HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM DOORS OPEN AT 5 PM ADVANCE TICKETS: WATAUGADEMOCRAT.COM/TASTEOFHOME A portion of proceeds from ticket sales for Hunger and Health Coalition
July 7, 2016
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 7, 2016