Stone Mountain 36th Annual Scottish Highland Games Scottish Festival

So, we attended the Stone Mountain Scottish Highland Games Scottish Festival this past weekend. Usually we make this a stop on our way south to Florida for the winter. This year, as most of you know, we migrated to Florida the lst of September. So we had to travel north 604 miles and 10 hours (with stops) to attend for the 5th year in a row. We always stay at the Stone Mountain Inn because it is so accessible to the sights of Stone Mountain and is walking distance to the Games. Our main draw to the Games is to meet up with and be entertained by our friend, Alex Beaton, but also to join our friends and family from Clan Montgomery.




Now, you must understand, most Highland Scottish Festivals are called Highland Games because of the Games. Although, I have observed some games at various festivals, I tend to spend most of my time at Alex's tent or at the Montgomery tent. So, therefore--no pictures of the games or Highland Dancers. I do, however, have pictures of various things from the weekend. So here goes.

After the rain out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were crisp but sunny. Here are a few of Alex's faithful bundled up for his 10:00 performance.

You see all kinds of dress at Scottish Festivals.

There are always Clan Tents. This year there were about 100 clans represented.

Every Games has an opening ceremonies where dignitaries are introduced, bands march, speeches are given and national anthems are sung. And of course, crowds watch.

Stone Mountain always has LOTS of Pipe and Drum bands. This year, the featured band was the Royal Canadian Mountain Police Regimental Pipes and Drums all the way from Alberta, Calgary, Canada. (BTW, regimental in terms of kilts, means, nothing is worn underneath the kilt. All together now, Oooooo, Ahhhhh.)

Of course, every Pipe and Drum Band has pipes.

And drums.

And men in kilts. (Ok, so there are ladies in kilts too.)

And when bands get together, they are known as Massed Bands.

Also at the Games are Heeland Coos. (Translation--Highland Cows.)

Falconry. This is a Red Shouldered Hawk. Gorgeous, huh?

Vendors, crowds and bands.

And of course, Clan MacMedic.

Then we have the Atholls. The Chief of Clan Murray is known as the Earl of Atholl. Alex has a whole litany of jokes and comments about the Atholls. BTW, our favorite pub in Glasgow, Scotland is the Atholl Pub! Gotta love it. Sorry to all the Murrays out there.

And then there is Rhu, the future Earl of Eglington, the hereditary Chief of Clan Montgomery. I love little boys in kilts.

This was the about the only fall colors we saw but at least we saw some.

This is Stone Mountain--the view from the hotel parking lot.

The Stone Mountain carving of Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee

I caught a glimpse of the carving through the trees on our way back to the hotel. So, goodbye to Stone Mountain and to the Games. We had a great time and are looking forward to next year's festival.