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Mark (above center with clear poncho) proudly carries Turnbull banner in opening ceremonies. |
The New Hampshire Highland Games are one of the largest Scottish Games in North America. The Games have often attracted over 20,000 spectators in a single day. This year the games returned from the Concord area to their original home in Loon Mountain.
Mark Turnbull reports on this year’s games. “I set up the tent on Thursday, Sept. 21. Opening day, Friday, we met many old friends and received many compliments on our presentation.
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Mark (above center with clear poncho) proudly carries Turnbull banner in opening ceremonies. |
Edith & Lois Fay from Massachusetts and their sister Alice Foy from Maine arrived and spent all day Saturday enjoying the Games and helping with the tent. On Saturday (weather unfortunately rainy and drizzly), I proudly carried our local Turnbull Tartan flag with its many ribbons & pennants in the Clan Parade, with about 50 other Clans & Scottish Societies.
After the Parade (of course the heavier rain stopped) the crowds grew. We signed up 14 new & renewed members.
One of our new members, Emily Putney, appears to be a photographic genius and took many pictures. Approximately 900 people attended the Kirkin’ of the Tartans Sunday morning. When you hear that many people singing Amazing Grace, accompanied by a Piper, it is truly an experience you'll never forget.
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| New member Emily Putney poses with Mark in front of Turnbull tent. | Bad weather doesn’t stop crowds from returning to Loon Mountain for the annual Highland Games. |
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Award winning Steve Turnbull and his Vermont band participated in the weekend events and competition. |
Dance competitions were among the many events entertaining visitors. (Special thanks to Emily Putney for the photos and welcome to TCA!) |
Unfortunately, between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, hurricane winds, rain, and a couple of lightning strikes led the Games Committee to close Clan Village. At 2:15 PM, the sun was shining and the breeze was gentle enough to keep the flags flying. A dozen Clan hosts kept their tents open, but finally gave in. I was last man standing at 3:30 when I closed the tent. We are firmly re-established at Loon Mountain. I will probably be back on the Board of the New Hampshire St. Andrew's Society. Until next year, Yours Aye, Mark
