Grandfather Mountain Highland Games 2012

Saturday morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fog. This is the part called the Linville Viaduct that hangs you out on the side of the mountain. It's a beautiful view when it's not so foggy.

One of the places the bus lets you out if you have to park at the bottom of the mountain on Hwy 221. This is the site of what we called "Fort Potter" where Danny Potter parked his old one person 50's style RV. I did what I told Danny I always wanted to do the GMHG's before he died: I pitched a one man tent in front of Fort Potter for about four days. 

The front entrance with GM in the background. I actually took this at the end of the day Saturday when the sun came out for a bit.

Mike Cowan, past city councilman of Whitfield County (Tunnel Hill), GA. Mike has since had a serious motorcycle wreck and has moved to Dalton.

Hey! Who's that next to us? Why it's our old buddies (and I do mean from way back) the MacFarlanes! If you don't know our history with the MacFarlanes...well, maybe I better tell you later or better yet Google it.

Neil MacFarlane Webb and Jim Kilpatrick wrangle a Heiland Coo.

A few tents down the outside Maxwell tent remained empty until all of a sudden it was filled with musicians! Just another part of the magic that happens at Grandfather Mountain.

On our other side was the Hendersons. The Loch Norman Pipe Band played a set, did the Henderson walk, then played another set for them just outside of our tent.

This beautiful tent was set up by Beth Calhoun and Stephen Batts below. You could literally see the top sign all the way across the field.

The parade of tartans Sunday morning!

Left to right: Jim Kilpatrick, me, Beth Calhoun, Archie Cowan with the American ensign, and Dave Cowan on the right.

With Chirstie Harrison, past president of COSCA. Christie started her Scottish American experience by joining our clan. Dave Cowan's wife Sandy is on the left.

Sherrill Greene whose g'grandmother was a Potter, Jim Kilpatrick, Beth Calhoun.

Scottish District Family Association. The first Scottish games I went to was in Savannah in 1981. They found my last name, Hodges, in Phillip Smith's Tartan For Me with "Glasgow District" across from it, but no one knew what that meant. About 12 years ago Judi Lloyd started the  SDFA and my last name found a home at the Highland Games. I never thought to tell them my middle name is Calhoun.

Didn't he go by a little while ago in a different kilt? City of Glasgow tartan.

Christie Harrison, Beth Calhoun, and the very happy lady is current president of COSCA Sue McIntosh. I believe she lives in Colorado.

Thanks to Dave Cowan for standing out on that field for so long and carry our banner around one more time.

It rained a couple of times but there was a large attendance overall.

The Hendersons sang in the rain next door!

This is Tom McLain who I've known for several years as the nice gentleman who keeps the back gate.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games 2009

Special thanks to Beth Calhoun of Raleigh, NC for hosting the tent this year. Once again it looked marvelous!























Drum Major for Atlanta Pipes and Drums and the massed bands, Jim Thompson drops in for a chat with Society President Jim Kilpatrick, FSA (Scot).





I know that's Keets Taylor on the right. Hey! Who's that sitting on Jim's lap?







This has got to be Staci Ingram on the left who announced "The Colquhouns are here!" at the Torchlight Ceremony on Thursday night.


Beth and John.
Becky and Jim.

Loch Norman (Charlotte, NC) 2009

The 16th Loch Norman Highland Games (subtitled Rural Hill Scottish Festival) was held last weekend outside of Charlotte, NC. I'd had it in mind to make a surprise visit if my herinated disc would allow and I did it! but I'm paying for it this week. It was a great weekend and I'm so glad I went.

The site of the festival is really out in the middle of nowhere. I've seen festivals held in remote places because of a place name or event wither and die, but Loch Norman continues to draw big crowds and be as popular as ever. It's a year round rendez vous for the local population. The site was originally a plantation owned by the Davidson family. Here's what the first house looked like:


Remains of the first house in front of the newer house.


Across the street you can pitch a tent or plant an RV for the event. Here's the Colquhoun Condo:
The campground stretchs out beyond the distant tree line.
Steve and Mary Hudson have set up for us at Loch Norman for several years.




The Hudson's tent is always fun and active.
Becky and Jim Kilpatrick.


Beth Calhoun who'll be at Grandfather with John.




A visiting Gregor.




This is the "targe" Steve and Mary won for Best Clan Tent at the 2001 Charleston Games which they host each September. For some reason, they didn't get credit for it in the published records which Mary is still trying to correct.



Around the field.



Music at Clan Cunningham.
Flag Burning Service.
The Beer Tent was supplied by Carolina Brewery


The Gathering is quickly counting down towards the event in July!
The music tent which rocked all weekend!
Ed Miller
Clandestine

One of the big draws year round for Rural Hill is that it's an historic working farm. I wished I'd found out the name of this calf. I first met the calf as a visitor in back of our clan tent.

Later back in the barn.



Sharon & I attended the first several Loch Norman Games. Jack Mobley of Clan Davidson made up a sign back then that warned Colquhouns and several other clans that they couldn't be caught unattended near the cattle and sheep fields (tongue in cheek reference to a history of cattle stealing). I was directed to a couple of different places to look for a sign, but I couldn't find one left. I have a copy of the original somewhere and will post it when I find it.
A hand cranked corn husker.





Big bold rooster.

Corn crib.

Corn husker again. The kids loved this. As you can see, Rural Hill offers not only the Highland Games, but a hands on participation at a farm recreated from another century.





Spring house or well house?

Blacksmith.







Natural spackel to seal up the spaces of a log cabin.





In addition to the antique farm, there is an Historical Encampment to tour. This is also known as "Who are those lads and lassies over there near the cow pasture?"

Dancing Pig Pottery