Tuesday, October 20, 2015

How I spent my weekend, free entertainment and the young

-Here's how I spent my weekend - at the 43rd Stone Mountain Highland Games, at which we celebrate our Scottish heritage.  Pipers and drummers are standing at attention here during the opening ceremonies.  It was a bright, cool, sunny weekend - I wish we could have bottled that weather.

- The table at my Clan's tent with our Christmasy looking tartan (which goes rather well with the Walkers Shortbread package.)  :)  Someone made the cookies in the baggie, using Scottie dog cookie cutters.

- Our Clan tent looks out at a performance stage, in which various singers and musicians perform Celtic tunes all day.  It's a treat to have background music.  Our favorite is the man pictured:  Colin Grant-Adams - here singing "Loch Lomand."  Click on the red link if you'd like to give it a listen.  I sang that song to niece Amanda in 1997, when when we visited Scotland.  She and I walked around the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomand, while her mother and sister went on a tour of it in a boat.  I remember that as a young teenager she was probably a little mortified at her aunt singing out loud, but she graciously acted as if she wasn't.  I think of that every time I hear that song.

- This photo doesn't entirely capture the exuberance of this young piper, spontaneously performing on one of the walkways.  (His family was nearby.)  I loved that he was tapping his toe the whole time he played.  I'm always so glad to see young people involved.

12 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

That does look like fun. We have a Celtic Fair in our neck of the woods. Very enjoyable.

Lee said...

I would've loved that weekend, too, Lynn. I love the pipes...I love the tartans and the kilts. I love "Loch Lomand". As children we sang the song often.

When my brother and I were kids, every Saturday night we'd go to the main street of Gympie, with our Nana to watch and listen to the Scottish Pipers play and march along the main street...we, among many others of the town's population followed closely behind, loving the music...unconsciously, or purposely, walking in time with the music. Wonderful memories.

I also love Celtic music...it makes tingles go up and down my spine. I have many CDs of Celtic music.

I'm of Scottish and Irish heritage.

Elephant's Child said...

Hearing the pipes always makes my eyes leak. I am not certain why, and have less than no control over it.
Loch Lomond is so familar. My mother used to sing it to us (badly) despite having no Scottish heritage.

Maude Lynn said...

That looks like so much fun!

Fireblossom said...

How cool!

sage said...

Sounds like you had a fun time. I like bagpipes OUTSIDE! I'm part of the MacKenzie clan.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes - my brother tried to play the bagpipes as a kid... This piper looks professional though.

Granny Annie said...

What a spectacular weekend! Don't know if I could have stood a whole lot of bagpipe music however.

Lee said...

Lynn...in case you don't get back to my blog...I've posted below a copy of my response to your comment re "playing gooseberry" in my blog.

It should explain the term for you. :)

"being or to "play gooseberry" is to be be an ​unwanted third ​person; the person who is ​present when two other ​people, ​especially two ​people having a ​romantic ​relationship, ​want to be ​alone.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pla2.htm This might give you a further insight into the well-worn phrase."

:)

Leonora said...

The weather appears to be beautiful in your photos- it looks like a lovely weekend. I've only ever attended a smallish Highlands festival. One day I'd like to experience the real deal, like yours. : )

Riot Kitty said...

I MUST come visit you some year and go to this...

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I have some Scottish heritage myself -- I love a good Highlands Gathering. The pipes, the pipes are calling!