|
The Upstate of South Carolina has, arguably, one of the highest concentrations of Scots-Irish descendants in the country. Our ancestors persevered under incredible hardships to get to the Carolinas, coming north from Charleston and south from Philadelphia and Virginia. When they reached our beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and foothills, they heaved a collective sigh and knew they were home. We created the Games in 2006 as a tribute to and a celebration of our Celtic forebears. The colors, tastes, sights and sounds you will experience are all evocative of clan life in the wild Highlands of Scotland.
The Championship Heavy Athletic competition is drawn from the warrior traditions at ancient clan gatherings, as is the Highland Dancing competition, albeit considerably more evolved from the original warlike expressions of victory over defeated enemies.  The Southern Piping Championship will remind you vividly of how the Great Highland War Pipes were an integral part of every Scottish clan marching into battle. The crafts – from the weaving of tartans to the stained glass demonstrations – would have been all around you at a Gathering of the Clans from long ago. Children visiting our Games will have their own miniature Scottish village, called Wee Scotland. There is not another like it, as far as we know, at any other Scottish Games in the country. They will have their own crafts, athletic events, “mountains” to climb, and much more, all the while absorbing a bit of the culture that settled our region. Our 2008 Games will bring even more venues to enjoy, including the First Annual Border Collie Invitation Trials, which will be conducted all day at the Games. We’re also conducting the Great Scot! Young Writers Contest, with the winners to be announced on the Performance Stage in Wee Scotland.
We’ve established a strong reputation for excellence over the past two years, and we will continue to work hard to make your day with us one your family will remember. Please explore this website, and mark your calendar to explore our Games.
And don’t forget to come to our Great Scot! Parade Friday, June 6, to get your Celtic juices flowing and your heart pumped up for the next day at Furman. See you there.
|
