We really enjoyed watching the sheepdogs herd rather uncooperative sheep through and around various obstacles. In addition to the athletic events, there were drum major, fiddle, pipe and drum marching band, harp, highland dance, and sheepdog competitions. There were beer and whiskey tastings (separate tickets required), and also educational seminars about various things Scottish. If you wanted to try some uniquely Scottish food, there was everything from Haggis and meat pies, to sausage rolls, shepherd’s pie, oat cakes, Scottish eggs, and much more. There were food tents and stands everywhere you looked. We spent some time at their tent, met and chatted with some really nice and helpful folks, bought some clan tee-shirts and a book about Clan Donnachaidh history. We learned that Clan Donnachaidh is the one that would be of interest to my wife and her family. Then there was the Clan Village where each of around sixty Scottish clans had a small tent displaying clan tartans and coats of arms, literature about the clan, and folks happy to talk with visitors about their clan and its activities. It seemed there was always one or more pipe bands (bagpipes, drums) playing, and then the professional groups like Prydein, Albannach, and the Red Hot Chili Pipers in the Concert Tent (LOUD!), not to mention the individual musicians and vocalists performing in various indoor and outdoor spots throughout the resort area. He is not of Scottish descent, but wears a kilt each day of the event.Īnother thing that made a serious first impression was the SOUND! The thousands of people obviously accounted for a lot of it, but most noticeable was the music. Our next-door neighbor in the campground where we stayed has been attending the Games for 30 years. I thought, come on…every person here sporting Scottish attire surely can’t really be of Scottish descent, can they? Then, during the course of the weekend, we talked to folks who commented that “everyone is Scottish during The Games.” That’s sort of like everyone being Irish on St. So many in the crowds wore kilts in various colors, tams on their heads, tartan scarves, and fancy Scottish uniforms. The buses ran frequently from 8:00 AM until about 6:00 in the evening, so attendees could come and go whenever they wished.Īt first, it seemed almost like walking into a themed costume party. The first surprise was that all parking was off-site, with shuttle buses to and from the various parking areas around Lincoln. Since we hadn’t attended before, we didn’t know just what to expect. The Resort offers a strikingly beautiful backdrop for the Games, with the venue spread out between the base of the Loon Mountain ski slopes on one side, and the Pemigewasset river on the other. It is certainly not a minor event we were amazed at the sheer numbers of people! I’ve read attendance estimates of between 25, 000 and 30,000. The Games are held, every September, at the Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. We were surprised to learn that the NH Highland Games & Festival has been around since the mid 1970’s. We never knew what we were missing! Not only is half of my wife’s heritage Scottish, but we’ve lived, camped and “RVed” in New Hampshire for many years and yet we weren’t aware of this fun and fascinating event until this year. Here are our first impressions and a few pictures. Will RVers enjoy visiting the Ne w Hampshire Highland Games & Festival? These RVers sure did.
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