Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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The four-day festival kicks off July 10 with the the largest single gathering of Scottish clans anywhere in the world. Between 30,000 to 40,000 people attend the Games annually.
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Games for all times! Grandfather Mountain Highland Games reacquaints present with past JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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or the past 59 years, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has served as a grand tartan reunion. This year, the tradition is perhaps more steeped than ever. Each second weekend in July (this year from Thursday to Sunday, July 10 to 13), 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, or 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 of between 30,000 and 40,000 people. Tickets for GMHG are available by cash upon arrival at the Games, or visitors may The athletic competitions, like the purchase them by credit or wrestling above, rival any Scottish debit card at the GMHG office games in the world. There’s no telling in downtown Linville. what will be thrown your way when Parking is available at Macthe clans compete. PHOTO BY ROB MOORE Rae Meadows until filled on
Thursday and Friday, July 10 and 11, while patrons and sponsors only are allowed special parking privileges on the mountain for Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13. 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.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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John Alexander Leslie Chief of Clan Leslie attends Grandfather Mountain Highland Games JUSTIN GRIMES AVERYJOURNALIST@GMAIL.COM
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ne might say that this year’s honoured guest to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has a firm grip on things. As Chief of Clan Leslie, whose motto is “Grip Fast,” the Honorable John Alexander Leslie of Edinburgh, Scotland, says he is delighted to be attending the Games for the first time and looks forward to meeting everyone. Leslie became chief of Clan Leslie in 2005, following the death of his father; becoming a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs in 2006. He joined the Executive in 2010 and was elected Vice Convenor in 2013. He is responsible for the communications of the Council. Among his accomplishment thus far is organizing a service of commemoration for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden; one of, if not the largest battle in troop numbers ever fought between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland on Sept. 9, 1513, in the county of Northumberland. “I love everything outdoors and make my living writing about directions in new technology,” Leslie said. Leslie explained the 11th century beginning of his clan in an email. He wrote: “The founder of the Leslie family was a Hungarian named Bartolf, or Bartholomew,
The honored guest at this year’s Grandfather Highland Games is the Honorable John Alexander Leslie of Edinburgh, Scotland. PHOTO SUBMITTED
who came to Scotland with Edgar Atheling and his sisters, including the Princess Margaret (Saint Margaret) who became the wife of Malcolm Canmore. Bartolf became a great favourite at the Scottish Court and married Beatrix, the sister of Malcolm III and daughter of King Duncan. He was the first governor of Edinburgh Castle and was given grants of land in the Garioch in Aberdeenshire, in Angus, the Mearns and Fife.” During a phone conversation, the Chief’s voice warmed with excitement as he recalled many of his famous ancestors, which includes his great grandmother, Noel Dyer-Edwardes, a passenger on the Titanic. “My great grandmother who
married the 19th Earl of Rothes was a heroine of the Titanic,” Leslie said. “She is known for organizing lifeboat number eight.” Ordinarily, each of the Titanic’s lifeboats needed three seamen to operate. As passengers abandoned ship, only one seaman made it into the number eight lifeboat. “Grandmother took charge of the tiller and organized rowing,” Leslie continued. “She helped keep everyone’s spirits up by singing songs. They sang all night,” he said. Lifeboat number eight and others were rescued by the ship RMS Carpathia the next morning. Noel DyerEdwardes’ heroic efforts have been portrayed on television, in movies and in the bestselling e-book, “Lifeboat Number 8,” by Elizabeth Kaye. Leslie shared the origin of “Grip Fast,” the Leslie clan motto and crest of arms. “The story goes that when Saint/Queen Margaret was traveling on horseback, sitting behind Bartholomew; they came upon ‘a burn in spate,’ which means a flooding stream. Fearing that she may fall, Margaret asked ‘Will the buckle hold?’ “Bartholomew replied, ‘Grip Fast.’ “After the incident, Bartholomew attached two more buckles to his belt,” as depicted on today’s Leslie clan crest. Accompanying Leslie to this year’s Games is Miranda Grant, his fiancé. They plan to marry this fall. They live near Edinburgh Castle with their two dogs, a spaniel and whippet. Ms. Gant’s clan motto is “Stand Fast.”
Noel Dyer-Edwardes, Countess of Rothes (Dec. 25, 1878-Sept. 12, 1956) Great grandmother of Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Honoured Guest, Chief of Clan Leslie, John Alexander Leslie. Wife of the 19th Earl of Rothes, she was a noted philanthropist and heroine of the Titanic disaster.
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A brief history of Clan Leslie
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he founder of the Leslie family was a Hungarian named Bartolf, or Bartholomew, who came to Scotland with Edgar Atheling and his sisters, including the Princess Margaret (Saint Margaret) who became the wife of Malcolm Canmore. Bartolf became a great favourite at the Scottish Court, and married Beatrix, the sister of Malcolm III and daughter of King Duncan. He was the first governor of Edinburgh Castle was given grants of land in the Garioch in Aberdeenshire, in Angus, the Mearns and Fife. Bartholomew’s son, Malcolm of Leslie, was Constable of the Castle of Inverurie, which he held for David, Earl of Huntingdon (1143-1219) third son of King David I, who was also Earl of the Garioch and Lord of Strathbogie. Malcolm’s great-grandson, Sir Norman Leslie of Leslie, acquired Fythkill in Fife about 1292 and changed the name to Leslie. Sir Andrew Leslie, the sixth Lord Leslie married Mary Abernathy and brought the powerful Abernathy family and the Cairneys into the Leslie family. The third son of Sir Andrew Leslie was the ancestor of the Earls of Rothes, a title created before 20th March 1457. The fourth son, Walter, became Earl of Ross. The fifth son, George, was the first Baron of the family of Balquhain, holding the rank of Counts Leslie. Sir Andrew Leslie, the third Baron of Balquhain was the Master of Horse for the Earl of Mar who commanded the government army against the highlanders in the famous Battle of Harlaw in July 1411 near Inverurie. Sir Andrew lost six sons in this battle and was himself killed at Braco in a dispute with the government forces. George Leslie of Rothes and Leslie in Fife was made a Lord of Parliament in 1445 as Lord Leslie of Leven, and later, in 1457, Earl of Rothes. The third Earl was killed at Flodden. John Leslie, seventh Earl, and first and last Duke of Rothes, succeeded in 1641. He carried the sword at the coronation of Charles II at Scone and was taken prisoner at Worcester. For a comparatively short time towards the end of Charles’s reign he was omnipotent in Scottish affairs; and in 1680 was created Duke of Rothes, Marquis of Ballenbreich, Earl of Leslie, Viscount Lugtoun and Lord Auchmontie and Caskieberrie. He died in 1681, and the Dukedom expired and the Earldom passed to his daughter, Margaret. In more recent times the late Ian Malcolm Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes worked with Leslies in North America to found the Clan Leslie Society International and others in Australia to found the Clan Leslie Society of Australia and New Zealand. These Leslie Societies are active in promoting the family history, participating in Highland Games and Scottish Festivals in Australia, Canada and the United States of America. The Clan holds a gathering every two years. In 2011, the Clan Leslie erected a monument, titled Leslie’s Cross at the historic Church in Chapel of the Garioch, replacing the Leslie’s Cross erected by Sir Andrew in 1411 and in honour of Sir Andrew’s sons and other Leslies who fell in the Battle of Harlaw. The Chapel now includes the title of the Leslie Chapel of North East Scotland in its historic name. The Societies publish regular newsletters, a Journal and has developed a Clan Leslie Library at the University of Guelph in the city of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. (Reprinted with permission of John Alexander Leslie)
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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July 9, 2014
The Games at a glance • 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 Leslie 2014 honored guest: John Alexander Leslie 2014 distinguished guest: Tommy Burleson (also ambassador as stated below) 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 Corporate sponsors/exhibitors: • Mountain Times Publications • High Country Radio • Duncan Soutar • Scottish Spinning and Weaving • Coca-Cola • Thistle School Nonprofit organizations and services provided: • Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department — shuttle bus service • Avery High School — parking • Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute — parking • APPALCart — shuttle bus service • Linville Central Rescue Squad — parking, concessions and first aid • Newland Volunteer Fire Department — first responder • Banner Elk Kiwanis — program sales
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Featured highland bagpipe bands in 2014: • 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 2014: • Chambless and Muse • The Freestylers of Piping • The Red Wellies • The Good Set • Jamie Laval • Seven Nations • Ed Miller • Brian McNeill • John Doyle
Clan Tent Assignments 2014 (Alphabetical) Anderson Armstrong Argyle Gifts Bell Blair Blue Ridge Brass Band Boyd (House of) Boyd (House of) Buchanan Buchanan Burnett Caledonian Soc. Cincinnati Cameron Cameron Campbell Cochrane Colquhoun Council of Scottish Clans Davidson Davidson Donald Donald Donnachaidh Donnachaidh Douglas Douglas Duncan Soutar Duncan Soutar Elliot Ewen Farquharson Ferguson Forbes Forrester Forsyth Fraser Fraser GMHG Handicapped Tent GMHG Lost and Found Gordon (House of) Gordon (House of) Graham Gregor/American Society Gregor/American Society Gunn Hamilton Hamilton Hay Hay Henderson High Country Adventures Home Hunter Innes Johnston/e Keith Keith Kennedy Kerr Kerr Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick Lees McRae Leslie
2-59 2-55 X-09 2-04 1-02 X-17 1-60 2-65 1-18 2-22 2-56 1-14 1-68 2-75 2-43 1-22 1-39 X-01 1-05 2-08 1-53 2-58 1-72 2-83 1-09 2-13 X-10 X-11 2-21 2-41 1-28 1-36 1-59 1-37 2-11 1-65 2-71 1-57 2-01 1-26 2-30 2-38 1-27 2-31 2-18 1-12 2-16 1-48 2-52 2-73 X-15 2-53 1-54 1-01 2-46 1-43 2-45 1-58 1-47 2-50 1-10 2-14 X-16 1-31
Leslie Lindsay Logan Losantiville Highlanders MacAlister MacAlister Macaulay MacBean MacBean MacBeth MacCallum/Malcolm MacDougall MacDougall MacDuffee MacDuffee MacDuff MacDuff MacFarlane Int. MacFie MacInnes MacInnes MacIntyre Mackay Mackay MacKenzie Mackinnon Mackinnon Mackintosh Mackintosh MacLachlan MacLachlan MacLaine of Lochbuie MacLaine of Lochbuie MacLaren MacLaren MacLean MacLean MacLellan MacLeod (Carolina's) MacLeod (USA) MacMillan MacMillan MacNab Macneil Macneil MacPherson MacPherson MacQueen MacRae MacRae MacRae (Cocke) MacTavish Maxwell Maxwell Moffat Montreat Scottish Society Montreat Scottish Society Morrison Morrison Munro Munro Murray Napier National Trust for Scotland
2-35 1-56 2-68 1-14 1-64 2-70 1-16 1-69 2-76 2-05 1-49 1-25 2-29 1-70 2-77 1-67 2-74 2-19 2-20 1-66 2-72 2-64 1-45 2-48 1-44 1-33 2-37 1-40 2-42 1-23 2-27 1-50 2-54 1-38 2-40 1-21 2-25 2-26 1-06 2-09 1-32 2-36 2-32 1-63 2-69 1-08 2-12 2-62 1-34 2-39 1-35 2-61 1-24 2-28 1-29 1-62 2-67 1-04 2-07 1-07 2-10 2-51 2-63 2-03
Pollock Pollock Ramsay Ramsay Rose Ross Ross Scotland Aye Scotland County HG Scott Scott Scottish Cultural Org. of Triangle Scottish District Families Assoc. Scottish Heritage USA Scottish Spinning & Weaving Scottish Spinning & Weaving Scottish Tartans Museum Sheep Dog Tent Sinclair, USA Sinclair, USA Skene Skene Society of William Wallace Society of William Wallace St. Andrews Soc. of Carolinas St. Andrews Soc. of Charleston St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. St. Andrews Soc. of N.C. St. Andrews Soc. of Savannah Stewart Stewart Sutherland Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association Tartan Ed. & Cultural Association Visit Scotland Wallace Wallace Wardlaw Wardlaw Young Young
1-11 2-15 1-20 2-24 2-33 1-46 2-49 1-71 X-08 1-19 2-23 X-05 2-34 2-02 X-12 X-13 X-04 1-74 1-13 2-17 1-55 2-60 X-06 X-07 2-78 1-15 1-52 2-57 1-17 1-61 2-66 1-30 X-02 X-03 X-14 1-03 2-06 1-41 2-47 1-42 2-44
*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.
The torchlight ceremony marks the commencement of the Granfather Highland Games. PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Jones brings dulcet tones of leadership JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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ipe Major Sandy Jones is a man who understands Scottish music and culture like few others, which suits him perfectly as Grandfather Mountain Highland Games president. A piper since the age of eight, Jones began piping under George Mars of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Continuing to hone his craft upon reaching adulthood, he served with the U.S. Air Force Pipe Band and was Pipe Major of this organization for eight years. During his tenure in the Air Force he continued his studies of the bagpipe with Jack Chisolm of Inverness, Scotland, and the late John MacFayden of Glasgow, Scotland. As a member of the pipe band, he often performed for Presidents, Heads of State and dignitaries of foreign nations, including Jones’ piping among musicians given the distinction of performing with the Air Force Pipe Band during the funeral of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Born in 1938 in Wallace, Idaho, Jones took to the pipes early, as Mars was hired
Pipe Major Sandy Jones plays bagpipes at Valle Crucis Conference Center. Jones has played and taught bagpipe playing at North American Academy of Piping for more than 40 years. PHOTO SUBMITTED
for a mining job by Jones’ grandfather and Jones had the opportunity to learn the SEE JONES, PAGE 8
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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July 9, 2014
Games of the Games order to throw the stone a greater distance, athletes will spin to gain centrifugal force before flinging the stone as far as possible. housands of spectators converge Not only do caber toss participants pick on MacRae Meadows every year up a 20-foot pole that weighs a daunting for the Grandfa175 pounds, they throw it. ther Mountain Caber toss athletes lift the Highland Games. People caber, balance it upright come to celebrate Celtic and “turn” it, or flip it to culture, for the music, the make it fall end over end. gathering of the clans, but In a bygone time when ultimately we’re here for farming was a way of the games. life, sheaf tossing was an Scottish highland games everyday chore. A holdthroughout history were a over from that time, sheaf time to gather and compete tossing is now competito determine who was fasttion. A pitchfork is used to est and strongest. Today, throw a burlap sack stuffed champions can still claim with straw over a high bar, those titles and revel in without touching the bar. victory. As the bar is raised, the The caber toss and hamathlete who clears the bar mer throw are iconic to the The shaef toss has kilt-clad at the highest level wins games. Appropriate to the athletes using a pitchfork to the competition. Scots, these sports demand throw a burlap sack full of Similar to the stone more than the average mea- straw over a high bar, which throw, the hammer throw has to make it over without requires the athlete to sure of strength, stamina touching. and sheer determination. throw a hammer from a PHOTO BY ROB MOORE As highland games where standing position. In spite world records have been of the hammer weighing set, the Grandfather Mountain Highland 22 pounds, the record distance last year Games attract professional athletes and was more than 118 feet. amateurs alike who are up to the challenge. Kilt-clad athletes from lightweight to Athletes can participate in heavy events, heavyweight classes will also participate in or events more associated with the games, Scottish Highland wrestling. and light events, such as foot races. Light events include the 100-yard dash, Heavy events include the Clachneart, long jump, high jump and pole vault. or stone throw. The athlete must throw a Adults and kids alike can participate in the 16-pound stone without using overhand, Kilted Mile run. underhand or two-handed techniques. In A game of stamina, the Grandfather CAROLINE HARRIS
CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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JONES: FROM PAGE 7 pipes for the first time. “A lot of the miners out in that country were Scots. They would get together and talk about old times, bring food. Grandad was in charge of all the mechanics for the Bunker Hill Mine, which at that time was the biggest underground mine of its type in the world,” Jones explained in a recent interview. “He was always hoping to get a piper in the town. He used to invite a pipe band, the Royal Canadian
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The hammer throw, demonstrated by Eric Frasure, weighs 22 pounds and is launched downfield for distance. Last year the distance was recorded at 118 feet.
PHOTO BY ROB MOORE
Mountain Marathon has gained the reputation as one of America’s toughest runs and for good reason. The final 13 miles are straight uphill. Starting in Boone and stretching 26.2 miles long, the trek winds up Grandfather Mountain, with runners eventually gaining 1,000 feet in elevation. The going is tough, but according to GMHG, the marathon boasts a 96 percent
Engineers, down from Kimberley, British Columbia.” Jones joined the Air Force Pipe Band and served his four-year military obligation near Washington, DC, playing at numerous government events around the world. “President Kennedy was fond of the pipes, so we played a lot in support of the president during his tenure,” Jones said. “We played for other presidents, too, but we were one of his favorite units.” Jones was asked to create an original composition for a state dinner for the Prime Minister of Ireland in October 1963, and Jones was happy to oblige. “I wrote ‘President Kennedy’s Welcome to Sean Lemass’ and we played it that evening. They both signed the original. I still have it,” Jones said. Jones founded the City of Washington Pipe Band and, in 1970, he and MacFayden co-founded the North American Academy of Piping, located in nearby Valle Crucis. For five weeks each June and July, hundreds of registrants attend the academy. Following his stint in the Air Force, Jones interviewed and received a job as piping director and instructor at The Citadel in 1978. During his 25-year tenure, Jones taught approximately 250 cadets, as well as trained cadets to become pipe majors. For his years of service to the school and his art, as well
completion rate. “The Bear” is a five-mile footrace that begins in Linville and climbs to the summit of Grandfather. As the race’s reputation has grown, GMHG is expecting double the number of participants this year. For the serious athlete to the spectator, the games of the Games offer their fair share of challenge and entertainment.
as a way to honor Jones, his Charleston, S.C., colleagues instituted the Pipe Major Sandy Jones Invitational in 2003, an event that invites the top Amateur Grade I bagpipe players from the East Coast to perform, contrived as a means to help bolster piping in the area and the South. Jones proudly serves as president of this year’s Games and is honored to be associated with the grand event and all that it entails. “Fifty-nine years ago our games began as a picnic and has evolved into one of the largest clan gatherings in North America,” Jones explained. “Our event directors have been working diligently over the past year in an effort to provide those in attendance with the highest quality of traditional Scottish events. The Games will once again offer top-notch competitions and exhibitions in Scottish heavy athletics, Highland dancing, bagpiping, drumming, Scottish fiddling, Scottish harping and even a variety of traditional track and field events.” After retiring from The Citadel in 2003, Jones and his wife, Dorcas, moved to Brevard. Jones is the author of the tutor “Beginning the Bagpipe” and travels throughout North America judging at highland games, conducting workshops and performing at recitals. Jones is active with both the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and the Charleston Scottish Games.
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Music in the Groves Newcomers and homecomings in Highland Games music lineup CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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ighland Games aren’t highland games without the sound of bagpipes and drums rolling over the hills. This year, the music lineup at the Games features both new acts and returning favorites for an eclectic mix of Celtic artists to perform in two different music venues. Get ready to kick up your heels to these worldrenowned musical acts. 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 fourpiece pipe band that combines traditional Scottish music and their own freestyle sound of piping and drumming. Called “straight pure Irish spirit bottled in North Carolina” by Folkworld Magazine, the Red Wellies are a unique collaboration of Irish, Bulgarian and American-born musicians who play
The Freestylers of Piping bring their original style of piping to the Games. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
in the Irish tradition. Consisting of two fiddles and a bouzouki, their music is full of driving rhythms that get audiences to their feet. The Good Set is a lively traditional music trio that formed in early 2014. With authentic knowledge of traditional music genres, the band creates a welcoming concert experience for all. Their diverse group of instruments includes
Chambliss and Muse bring traditional music of Scotland, Ireland and early America to the games. concertina, flute and mandolin. One of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today, Jamie Laval is known for his intensely passionate performances. Laval is the 2002 winner of the US National Scottish Fiddle Championship. For the first time in a decade, Seven Nations returns to Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Described as
roots, folk, dance and fusion-rock, Seven Nations has played everywhere from the Royal Mile to the Olympics and will bring its rollicking Celtic sound back to the mountain this Games. 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. John Doyle is a world-renowned guitarist in the Irish and acoustic styles.
Authentic Scottish fare on the menu CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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randfather Mountain Highland Games concessions offer a wide variety of food and beverages. Give haggis a try if you are feeling particularly Scottish, but there will also be plenty of less adventurous, but equally delicious fare from local and national vendors. Local food vendors for 2014 include Avery County Dancers Flavored Ice, Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department and Linville Central Rescue Squad. These local vendors will serve up the American classics, including hamburgers and hot dogs. A and Y Concessions, Cameron’s British Foods, House of Douglas Bakery, Mookie’s Marvelous Kettle Korn, Fergusen’s Homemade Icecream 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. Top it off with a Yorkie bar. For the first time at the Games, 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 peatsmoked 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 peat-smoked haggis, Scottish Cottage’s sticky toffee pudding is a great desert to follow it with. For sweets and snacks, Fergusen’s Homemade Icecream 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. For a scone or two, 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. Whether haggis or hot dogs, funnel cake or shortbread, the varied vendors will have everything you need to keep your strength up for the Games.
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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July 9, 2014
Get your tickets for a wee fee CAROLINE HARRIS CAROLINE.HARRIS@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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or a wee fee, you can experience all the 59th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has to offer, from pipers and pageantry to haggis and herding sheep. Officials make the Games as affordable as possible for the 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 gate or at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games office in Linville. Tickets purchased at the gate may be paid for in cash only. 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. Without shuttle bus rides, adult four-day passes are $55. If you are interested in only attending the Thursday night Torchlight Opening Ceremony, Celtic Music Jam, Saturday night Celtic Rock Concert or the Games on Sunday, tickets are $15 for adult admission and $5 for children for each individual event. Tickets to attend the Friday night Scottish Dance Gala at the Williams Gymnasium at
Lees-McRae College are $10 for spectators and are available at the door. Tickets to attend both the preliminaries on Friday night and the Celtic Music Jam are $20. Tickets to attend both the Games and Celtic Rock Concert on Saturday are $30. Children ages 5 through 12 are admitted for $5 each day. Children less than five years of age are admitted free of charge. For more information, click to www.gmhg.org.
College scholarships a proud tradition of GMHGames JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
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isitors attending Grandfather Mountain Highland Games cannot help but notice a number of young people who work the grounds, pick up trash, manage children’s tents and numerous additional responsibilities throughout the Games weekend. Many of these individuals are local high school students, and their time
working at the Games can pay great dividends, 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 a total of $6,000 (renewable annually for a total of $24,000 over four years) distributed among nine deserving high school seniors of the Class of 2014. Taylor added that 100 percent of the recipients each year fall into one or more of three criteria: Students themselves work for the Games, family members of the student work for the Games or the student
is part of a civic group or organization. “We strive each year to give anywhere from sixto-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 can earn a scholarship because of their efforts and affiliation with the Games.” Students attending a major college or university receive a $1,000 scholar-
ship 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 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.”
Shuttles, special ticket pricing make trek easy and affordable JAMIE SHELL JAMIE.SHELL@AVERYJOURNAL.COM
SHUTTLE SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR GMHG THROUGHOUT GAMES Why attempt to drive up Grandfather Mountain and
park a vehicle when you can be chauffeured in a shuttle? For a number of years, Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with Grandfather Mountain Highland Games to provide shuttle services to patrons
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wanting to attend the Games without the hassle of heavy traffic and pressure of limited parking. CVFD directly benefits from proceeds for providing the convenient travel, making the decision to ride the shuttle not only a way to save fuel and potential angst, but also a way to help give to a worthy cause. Shuttle service for the 2014 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is as follows: • Round-trip tickets on the shuttle bus from Boone are $10 per person, with shuttle buses running 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). Security is provided at lot. • All patrons who purchase a four-day advance ticket receive a free pass for a round-trip 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. and drive back to the mountain. Night events are designated as general public parking. • Round-trip tickets on the shuttle bus from Linville lot are $5 each day (Saturday and Sunday), while round-trip tickets on the shuttle bus from the paved parking lots at Avery County High School (Friday and Saturday) are also $5. • Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department shuttles from Avery County High School on Friday, but not from the Linville lot. CVFD shuttles from Avery County High School and Linville lot on Saturday, while shuttling from only the Linville lot on Sunday.
GMHG OFFERS REDUCED TICKET PRICE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS For the third consecutive year, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is offering a $10 adult ticket beginning at 12 p.m. on Sunday, July
13. Tickets for children age five and older is only $5, with all children less than five years of age admitted free of charge. Visitors to the Games on Sunday afternoon get to experience much of the pageantry and essence of what GMHG is about. Events taking place on Sunday afternoon includes children’s races, the finals of both junior and intermediate caber toss competitions, heavy athletic events for athletes age 40 and older, the ever-popular clan tug-o-war and piping and drumming competitions, just to name a few. According to GMHG General Manager and Vice President of Operations Tommy Taylor, the special rate was a popular addition to the Games two years ago. Although the final day was victim to inclement weather a year ago, Taylor anticipates a positive response to the ticket opportunity as
reflected by the greaterthan-anticipated number of patrons that took advantage of the special ticket rate in its inaugural year. “We expected maybe 20 or 30 people to take advantage of the local pricing our first year, but in reality, we had between 200 and 300 tickets sold on Sunday afternoon for the Games,” Taylor said. For locals who choose to avoid the Games for whatever reason, Taylor stressed that an overwhelming percentage of workers at the Games are Avery County residents, giving local citizens ample reason to support GMHG. “This is Avery County’s Games,” Taylor said. “Ninety-nine percent of the Games staff, and the vast percentage of local labor help with vendors. The Games is a great benefit to the local economy, as local hotels, businesses and restaurants benefit from the added traffic to our area.”
July 9, 2014
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
July 9, 2014