Highland Games in the desert

The Scottish Games of Phoenix! Typically highland gathering and games is during the summer months but due to extreme summer temperatures of the desert, the Games in Arizona are held in the winter months (for both Phoenix and Tucson).

I arrived in time for the opening ceremonies of the massing of the bands and clans. They paraded around and then the bands clustered together forming a circle with the audience around them for the big celebration.

This is the group that I had joined, the Royal Scottish Country Dancing group of Phoenix. They dance to their heart's content. It is a small group and of course not enough males but oh well. The point is to have fun. And we did with our tent and lively talking and dancing.

There was also a British Car display at this games. Cute cars so small. It is a wonder why it is not so popular here the size of the cars. Well, size of cars are popular here in the US but at the other extreme end: big hulking SUVS and hummers. Eww, gross. Does not please the quaint Scottish wabi Sabi Ingrid.

I spent the majority of the afternoon following the pipers and the bands. I love the music and it is so haunting and amazing really. There is something about the music that just cannot be described into words. I think only a true Scot would understand.

I had brought my knitting along and sat in the shade knitting, snacking, and listening to the bands. The colors of the tartans are so festive.

Then the athletic fields. The caber toss! Unfortunately the field was not designed for good audience viewing. We were on one side of the field and the caber toss was the only athletic event that was closest to us and hence good footage for photography. Shame on them. But still fun.

So, I am noticing now that the Caledonian society and Scottish folk are rather a small group here. I am starting to recognize more and more folks in the bands, athletic department, dancing, vendors, and volunteers. Basically the folks who are part of the society and group make up the games. And the spectators are usually the family and supporters of those of us performing. There generally is not too many outside people coming to games and that makes the games rather small especially compared to the games in Washington and other places where there is more of a strong hold of Scottish folk.

My Heart's in the Hielands

Ah, haggis. The one true meat that never goes out of style. Haggis is very rare as they say since as stories put it, the haggis only come out once a year around the full moon closest to January 25.

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to experience my rich heritage of Scottish roots. January is the birth month for the famous Scottish poet, Rabbie Burns. This year marks his 250 year anniversary of his birthdate on 25.

I recently joined the Calendonian society as well as the Scottish country dance branch. So now I am wonderfully plugged into the world of Scottish events, tales, meetings, dancing, and much more. It is a lively group. The Scottish country dancing class hosted a Burns night, which happens annually for any true Scottish who celebrates such important dates as Rabbie's birthdate. I had a blast and it by far exceeded my expectations for a real celebration.

After we all assembled into the large room in a quaint hall with a fake fireplace and chandlers, the haggis procession commenced. A piper came into the hall playing a sweet melody while the haggis barer followed carrying the plate of haggis, who was about 9 inches in length and 3 inches in width. When the piper and haggis barer had proceeded through the hall and to the front where the other important delegates for the haggis procession stood. The piper and haggis barer received a shot of whiskey. Some prayers were said over the haggis. And then a group prayer led by the piper toasting to the haggis was done. After this, the haggis was stabbed with a knife! And thus, concluded the haggis procession and toasting.

After a delicious meal of lamb stew, yum, yum, more toasting was done. The food was superb. And I had a wee bit of haggis that was so good. People truly don't know what they are missing out if they give up the opportunity to eat a mixture of liver, bladder, heart, kidney and such from a sheep! It is quite good contrary to public opinion.

The toasting was done in this format. First we toasted to the President of United States. Then we toasted "God save our Queen." Then we toasted to the lassies. And then toasted to the laddies. Several small performances of dance, song, and recitation of Rabbie's poems were read/performed.

The last part of the evening program was a circle song. Where everyone stood in a large circle (there was 60 some people present) holding hands. The song Auld Lang Syne was sung. It was quite beautiful and moving as our voices raised together in unison and harmony.

The real fun then began! The Celidh!! The highland fling! We were dancing and skipping being merry on the floor. It was so much fun. The dances are cute. Sadly, there are more females than males. So the couple ratio is way off. Tis a sad thing because guys don't know what they are missing out on... with all of the fun. I was completely worn out by the time I left but still charged with energy and joy. The music is truly the sweet melodies of my soul and inner being.

The evening is what I call a real celebration in every respects. And yes, everyone was dressed in their finery. Most of the gentlemen were in kilts. The women wear a kind of Reniassance kind of clothing with tartan shashes. I wore a tartan skirt, which some others did too. It is nice to know some traditions are still being continued. Espeically unique and ones such as these honoring the great Haggis and Rabbie Burns.