What to Expect at the Highland Games!

What to Expect at
the Highland Games!
Welcome to the House
of Gordon Tent at the
Highland Games!
This is where you come to
meet family and friends!
Get out of the sun, have a
sit down, and SO MUCH
MORE!
At the Clan tent you will
find displays with
information about our clan
history and your heritage!
Some displays will have
posters, maps, pictures,
books, swords, uniforms,
tartans, and a guest book
for you to sign in at!
The House of Gordon
also has a Wall Of Honor
that honors our
members who are or
have served in the US
Armed Forces!
We also honor the
Gordon Highlanders, who
Winston Churchill called
“The finest Regiment
that ever was!”
One of the best things
about the Clan Tent is
FOOD!
At most games there will
be some refreshment
available to members at
the tent.
Don’t forget the tent mascot —
he is always up to some mischief!
HEAVY ATHLETICS!
See BIG MEN throwing stuff!
The Hammer Throw, the
Sheaf Toss and the Caber
Toss are just a few of the
fantastic Heavy Athletic
Events to see. Root for your
favorite athlete!
These events began as a way
for our clans to choose their
strongest and best men for
leadership positions!
Did you know that strength is
not the most important
factor in the caber toss?
Balance, timing and knowledge
of physics is more important!
It is all about the technique!
So what most people think of
as a feat of sheer brute
force is truly a test of
canniness AND strength!
Various Vendors…
… with long lines!
You will be able to find so many things from tee shirts to
stained glass and carved horns!
You can also find bagpipes, chanters, bodhrans, kilts,
sporrans, and all kinds of highland gear and Celtic jewelry!
Historical Re-enactments
and living displays!
You can find ladies spinning, knights in armor,
regiments encamped, story tellers ... and
displays from the 7 Nations (Celtic Nations
that is!) like an Asturian Cider Tasting from
the Celtic Region of Spain.
ANIMALS!
Highland Cows (or Hielan Coos) are highlighted at
some events. And many times you can even get
highland beef to eat too.
These animals are hairy — not furry and both the
male and female of the breed have long sweeping
horns.
Border Collies will be demonstrating
their ability to move sheep just about
wherever they want!
Did you know that Border Collies are
considered the most intelligent of all
dog breeds? They are also among the
oldest breeds.
Many Scottish Breed Societies
will have a Rescue tent. You can
get information on rescued dogs
in need of a home!
Sometimes there will be ferrets and
“ferret legging” contests— maybe
you will even hear the piper playing
“Andy Renwick’s favorite ferret!”
PIPERS!
You will see pipers in competition and at massed bands.
Pipers at the clan tent, and leading the clan in the parade
of tartans!
Native Dancers dancing to the pipes — a unique American
tradition!
And pipers in Celtic Rock Bands performing on stage and
at the pub tent!
Highland Dancers!
You will see Highland Dancers in competition,
exhibition, and at the clan tent. They will be
dancing The Sword Dance also known as the
Ghillie Callum, The Highland Fling (maybe to
the Marquis of Huntly’s Highland Fling), the
Seann Triubhas, the Strathspey, the Reel,
the Hornpipe, the Jig and many more!
You will see them in Kilts and waistcoats, or
in Aboyne Dress (named for our Chief’s own
Aboyne Highland Games).
Parade of Tartans
You can expect to see the
Parade of Tartans and
maybe even a Clan Chief,
like our own Granville,
Marquis of Huntly, the Cock
of the North Himself!
 House of Gordon USA
2008