...To Absent Friends

Michael Davidson at the 2002 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Parade Of Tartans:

Michael Davidson, US president of Clan Davidson for nine years, died February 13, 2009. He was only 55. Michael had been president for 9 years. Most of us in the Southeastern Scottish community have known Michael and Elaine for a lot longer than that and were greatly saddened by his passing.
One of the reasons I wanted to make the unplanned trip to Rural Hill was Clan Davidson has their annual meeting there. A young piper from the Loch Norman Pipe Band played the Davidson March at the meeting.
Clan members listening to the piper. Eleanor on the right, who I met just by chance in the campground Saturday morning, works at the games. She gave me a helpful lift in her golf cart to the Colquhoun tent that morning.
After the meeting Richard Halliley, past president of Clan Davidson and interim president now, pours a salute to Michael in a large quaich which was offered to the clan members present.
The quaich used was actually mine, with a Colquhoun crest stamped in the center. This was originally Harry Avery's quaich which I bought from his estate after Harry passed.
Clan Davidson's crest is similar to ours:

A resolution was passed at the meeting that Clan Davidson would purchase a similar quaich and silver tray to be displayed at festivals and meeting. The tray will be engraved with past president's names and other Davidson notables.

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