Highland games are events held in spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a large Scottish diaspora, as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands.
Scottish Highland games! You are surrounded by an ocean of tartan, calns and bagpipes. There are lasses dancing the jig, fiddle comptetitions, the herding of the sheep,but, when it comes to the end of the day, it is the sporting events that holds the star of the show. Put you kilt on and lets go!
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
Today we are going to the Scottish Highland Games! They were held at the Great Meadow Foundation,5089 Old Tavern Rd, The Plains, Virginia 20198 It is a popular event center where I go watch Twilight Polo and other equestrian events. Today, it is all about the kilts. Highland dress and the tartan are among the most powerful, romantic, and dramatic symbols of Scotland. It has been claimed that "a man in a kilt is a man and a half." It really does add to the stature of the man. I'm preetty sure you don't have to talk me into that one! Show me your kilt!
The uniforms are absolutely swoon-worthy. This a typical Scottish Officer. The sporran, or purse, are made differently for day and evening wear. They may be made of leather for day wear; the head and fur of the badger, seal, or perhaps ermine are typically worn for evening.
Highland Division was rated by the Germans as the most formidable of all the formations they came across during the First World War. Certainly, the British government had no doubts on the matter when, after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie, they banned the use of Highland dress and the tartan, which they clearly saw as an incitement to further subversion. Offenders were killed or sent to the colonies. The form of Highland dress has always owed much to the army and it was the Highland regiments which kept the kilt and the tartan alive until at last, in 1782, their use was once more permitted. Before that time, Scots were only permitted to wear any Scottish wear if they joined the British Armed Services. Pipers were permitted to wear their kilt, but usually in a Regimental color. Other servicemen - most were permitted to wear the balmoral with their clan badge on it. A high price to pay to wear highland clothes, laying their life on the line to do it. source
Fiddle competitions are an important part of traditional Schottish music. Open Competition. Most played by ear. All were amazing. A father/daughter duo to start the competition off.
Highland dancing socks are like knitted tartan, they choose a color from their kilt and then they knit them in a diamond pattern with white yarn.
This boy was the youngest in the competition. He was so nervous but, he did really well. All skill levels are entertained here and we heard them. It was a great event and they were all wonderful.
He could really make that fiddle sing. He won my heart with the obvious love affair he had with his piece. I can see it in her face.
When he wasn't competing, he was knitting his socks. Everyone spent their spare time knitting their Highland socks
It is such a worthy event to attend and it is an all weekend affair with different events throughout. I love to watch the very well-trained herding dogs.. I was impressed with the relationship of the dog and the handler, the obedience involved. When a dog is trained properly he can move the sheep just about anywhere. They can control the sheep in a very cool, calm manner. This little Border Collie would drop to the ground in a New York minute if he was told to do so. No doubt about it, they know their job.
Is it obvious? I truly love the kilt.
Everything you need to keep your kilt-wear up-to-date, you can find here. The shopping was awesome and the prices were fair.
They played all day. Somewhere on the grounds. It was heaven.
Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Bagpipes have been around for centuries and are usually refered to as the pipes or a set of pipes. I was surprised to learn that the word bagpipe is singular or plural.
Included in the price of admission was a class in fencing, if you dared. I am trying to decide if it is an advantage or disadvantage to be wearing a kilt while fencing. I think I need a vote on that one.
I know... I got too many legs. Sue me.
This was un unusual combination and I looked it up, only to find out that it was Regimental Military hose. Red and White Diced Kilt Hose to be exact.
Hose has been worn down through the years and indeed up to the present day by all the Regiments. Invariably "Diced Hose" was worn in Red/Black or Full-length diced hoseRed/White dicing, usually as "hose tops" where the heel and foot were missing and ordinary socks could be worn underneath with "gaiters" covering the join. This provided a much needed economy measure. In Ministry of Defence terminology these are called "Diced Hose, Footless". Incidentally those knitted "mittens" without fingers worn by the Band members and greatly important in cold weather are called mittens. Full length diced hose (that is - complete with feet!) were worn usually by officers and sergeants at Mess nights and for Regimental Balls. source
Rules of the Road
Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative (or not, we don't judge!)
Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
Post the picture(s)
Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308
Or drop the link into the MarketFriday post so I can find it
Have fun!
Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤
There are traditions that are upheld during the games.The Games are also known for their unique sporting and athletic events, many of which involve throwing and lifting. These include the shot put, tug-o-war, caber toss and hammer throw - These are known as heavy events. There is a game of tug o'war, weight for height and the hammer throw. You won't want to miss even one of these.
All by his lonesome, he tossed it across the playing field. Who does that?
Le Sigh... He just took all the mystery away. I always wondered what was under that kilt. Shorts? Really?
And just like that, this post is done. I hope you had a good time and learned a little something new. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit, and just remember, #MarketFriday loves you! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!
These flowers were in a field at the Highland Games, beyond where the dogs were herding. A babbling brook, a barn, and these. As always, there must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower
Something about bagpipes makes my heart sing, and then blowing out rock? Be still. I’ll have my scotch straight up, get into my kilt and honor my Scottish heritage. Even though I have no Scottish heritage
I have been discovering new places, every day! I love to share and be shared with by you! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see you! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace, or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! Don't forget to use the Market Friday Community page #hive-196308 (not required) and hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle somewhere on your post!
Perfectly Tartan.
I had a most wonderful day, as I always do at these Highland Games. If you have any in your area, I encourage you to go, there are plenty of booths to shop at, food to be had and demonstrations all day long. It was educational and fun. You can't beat that. And just remember, #MarketFriday loves you!
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