Sorry I’ve been gone for awhile again===came down with an ugly Upper Respiratory and have been coughing, hacking and dead tired for two weeks now—in fact just a couple of days after I spent the day out and about in` Winter Springs…thought I’d do a couple of episodes on Winter Springs—things to do there and the like—but thought I’d start with the Highland games that they had on Jan. 13 & 14 to start with….
On this special day, we gather for the Kirkin of the Tartans. In the middle of the 18th century, when Scotland had been defeated in the Jacobite rebellion, the wearing of the Tartan, the playing of the bagpipes and the bearing of the arms were all ruthlessly outlawed by the Hanoverian English Government.
The Reverend Doctor J. Lawrence Cuthill H.R.
Glenwood Presbyterian Church
This is the Central Florida’s Highland Games 41st year. Scottish Game are common from Scotland (duh) as well as other counties—the USA with it’s high population of those of Scottish ancestry (see chart below for a breakdown) have one or more of these game in the spring and summer (Florida has them into the winter months) to celebrate the traditions of these ancestors (to see other offerings click here https://angrybastardkilts.com/pages/scottish-games-festivals-2017)
The event in Winter Springs is the first of the year in Florida and take place in Central Winds Park 1000 Central Winds Drive.
This park setting above a lake and nicely located near 434 in Winter Springs has open spaces which allow for games, food trucks, and all manner of tents and settings for sales items, arhery, parades and the gathering of the clans.
www.winterspringsfl.org/EN/web/dept/pr/cityparks.htm
| Number of Scottish Americans | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Ref. | Population | % of the United States population | |||
| 1980 | [10] | 10,048,816 | 4.44 | |||
| 1990 | [11] | 5,393,581 | 2.2 | |||
| 2000 | [12] | 4,890,581 | 1.7 | |||
| 2010 | [13] | 5,460,679 | 3.1 | |||
| Number of Scotch-Irish Americans | ||||||
| Year | Ref. | Population | % of the United States population | |||
| 1980 | [10] | 16,418 | 0.007 | |||
| 1990 | [11] | 5,617,773 | 2.3 | |||
| 2000 | [12] | 4,319,232 | 1.5 | |||
| 2010 | [13] | 3,257,161 | 1.9 | |||
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Americans
Highland Fling: Ancient warriors and clansmen performed this dance on a small, round shield called a target, which they carried into battle. Most targes had a needle-sharp spike of steel projecting in the center which is the reason that precise footwork and agility of the dancer were so essential. An error in a step was immediately apparent, as the pain from the spike reminded the warrior of his false step. The Fling was danced as a victory dance after a successful battle. even today, the Fling is performed in one spot without moving about, as the warrior had done on his targe
Scottish Highland Dancing
1977 Precious Moments “Love LIfted Me”
$6.99
https://www.etsy.com/listing/478904115/1977-precious-moments-love-lifted-me?ref=shop_home_active_93
METAXA Decorative Plate 1888-1988 copy plate GREEK Museum Hand Made 24K Gold $24.69
Of course there were Unicorns www.unicornproductions.org—The unicorn was first used on the Scottish royal coat of arms by William I in the 12th century. In the 15th century, when King James III was in power, gold coins even appeared with the unicorn on them. When Scotland and England unified under the reign of James VI of Scotland in 1603, the Scottish Royal Arms had two unicorns supporting a shield. When James VI became James I of England and Ireland, he replaced the unicorn on the left of the shield with the national animal of England, the lion, to show that the countries were indeed united. To learn more about the Scottish long love affair as well as why the beast is chained on the flags check out this official Scottish site https://www.visitscotland.com/about/uniquely-scottish/national-animal-unicorn/
Of course there was Whisky/Scotch—many of the clan sites had tastings and a celebration of all thing by the dram…there were also tastings (you bought tickets for those) and groups like the Whiskey Cabinet www.maltwhiskycabinet.com advertised in the program.
And must not forget the gathering of clans in row upon row of offerings of the history of and the associated–like my father’s Swann is in fact a sect of the Gunn clan—of Viking ancestry who move to the Highlands from the Orkney Islands. The Honored Clan this year was the Hamilton who were: “the most important of the Lowland clans. The current Hamilton ‘chief’, Angus Douglas Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton, is still the Premier Duke of Scotland, the Hereditary Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh, Scotland) and a member of the Royal Company of Archers. At one time they aspired to the crown itself, as serious rivals to the Stuarts. Check out your clan/family (or check if your name could be Scottish at http://www.scotclans.com/
The New World Celts are in existence to promote awareness of the outstanding contributions and history of the Celtic Peoples in the formation and continuance of the New World.
There was so much I can’t tell or picture it all here—but if you’re interested you might try some of these
Items for your enjoyment
Kilts and funny t-shirts–Celts with attitude
St. Croix Weaving: www.stcroixweaving.com
The Scots’ Den
Food & DRINK
Hamish’ Kitchen: The Frying Scotman–Scotch Eggs, Scones, Haggis & Chips, Deep Fried Mars Bars 863-422-6252
The Scottish Cottage: Good food peat smoked
Dunedin Brewery: Craft beer, pub food, live music.
Cektic./Scottish Music
Albannach: Born in Scotland and sharing the culture and heritage through their music www.albannachmusic.com
Men of Worth: One Scottish, one Irish…from Herbridean homeland and western Ireland www.menofworth.com
The Tinkers: Minstrels, sword fighting, war-chanting, purveyors of song and mirth www.luckymudmusic.com
The Adrian Empire is dedicated to the study and re-creation of Western European culture between the Battle of Hastings (1066) and the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1603). The members work to re-create the arts, skills, and culture of the range of the Medieval and Renaissance. Adrian reproduce non-choreographed combat competitions in both one-on-one and group battle scenarios.
Precious Moment “Let’s Call the Club to Order” Collectors Club Figurine $5.99
https://www.etsy.com/listing/467206564/precious-moment-lets-call-the-club-to?ref=shop_home_active_49
Opps–almost forgot the BOULDER BOOGIE (see above)
This feat of strength, endurance and possible public humiliation—not to mention major hernia incident….involved men and women (16 and up) carrying (depending on the class) for lassies (women) 94 – 178 lb. boulders and lads (yeah the other sex) 178 – 326 lb. boulders….Oh and while there was no charge to enter the event everyone had to sign a “release of liability” before they could participate…I have no idea what the “unique” prizes were but I agree that the top titles Lads: Lord of the Trolls and Lassie: Goddess of the Trolls (both the top weight class) were in fact dubious titles…grief it hurt to watch them.
All the quotes and picture that obviously aren’t mine are from the 2018 41st Scottish Highland Games program. Everything was taken by me at random and with a hope that they would be of interest to my subscribers and other readers…..I couldn’t include everyone and tried to get a variety of items and interests.
Ye mak a better door than a windae.
Translation: Get out of the way, you’re obscuring my view,
For more Scottish sayings and translations see
http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/09/scottish-sayings-will-get-through-life
