Honored Clan of 2023 GMHG: ‘Fighting Cochranes’

BY LILY KINCAID

LINVILLE — Each year, one clan is recognized at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as the Honored Clan, and for the 67th Games, Clan Cochrane is the recipient of this distinguished honor.

Clan Cochrane’s original ancestor in Scotland is said to be a Scandinavian Viking who settled in the Scottish lowlands near what is now Renfrewshire sometime between the eighth and tenth centuries. The name is thought to be derived from two Gaelic words that together mean either “the roar of the battle” or “battle cry.” However, it is also thought that the name may come from a story in which an early member of the family was recognized for his bravery in battle by his leader, who called him “coch ran,” which means “brave fellow.”

The boar is the heraldic beast for Clan Cochrane, and the chief’s shield displays three boar heads. Its motto is “Virtue et Labore,” which translates to“Valor by Exertion.” Its crest is a horse passant Argent and its plant badge is a sea holly.

Nicknamed the “Fighting Cochranes,” the clan has a rich history of military service dating back hundreds of years. Famous “Fighting Cochranes” include Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, who fought during the Napoleonic Wars, and Jacqueline Cochran, American Military Aviator and the first woman to break the sound barrier. Cochranes have fought in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, both world wars and much more. To this day, many Cochranes choose to serve in the country’s military and the clan takes great pride in its lineage of brave warriors to this day.

Ian Alexander Douglas Blair Cochrane, 15th Earl of

Dundonald, is the current chief of Clan Cochrane. He is the son of Major Ian Douglas Leonard Cochrane, 14th Earl of Dundonald, whom he succeeded in 1986 as earl. Chief Cochrane and his family will be coming from Scotland to attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year.

Whether you’re a member of Clan Cochrane or not, the clan welcomes you to stop by its tent at the Highland Games to learn about the clan and meet people with a shared interest in Scottish culture and heritage. For more information about Clan Cochrane, or to become a member of the Clan Cochrane Society of North America, visit https:// clancochrane.org/ or email clan@clancochrane.org.

All kinds of fun for all kinds of folks

BY JILLYAN MOBLEY

Kids and kids-at-heart will have endless opportunities for entertainment and education at the Children’s Tent!

Children will be encouraged to participate in many complementary events like face painting, scavenger hunts, live readings and arts and crafts, in addition to the change to enter the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Annual Drawing Contest!

As a Games favorite, a Passport Booklet will also be available at the Children’s Tent for all ages to pick up and tote along to each of the clan tents. Clans may stamp these passports with their unique marks to help to craft a perfect souvenir.

Special events will also take place at the Children’s Tent throughout the weekend, including Scottish folk song and dance with Frances Cunningham and safe sword demonstrations with the Triangle Sword Guild.

Wrestling and caber toss clinics for children will be spread across the weekend and kids will be able to put their new skills to the test at Children’s Games on Sunday. The games will kickoff at 1 p.m. near the main entrance and include caber toss, tug-ofwar, sheaf toss and more with no pre-registration required.

The Children’s Tent will be open Friday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.