Roots

On Sunday, September 5th, we decided to get in touch with our roots, so the four of us drove up to the bay area for the Caledonian Club of San Francisco Scottish Highland Games. We spent a full seven hours at the games, the kids were amazingingly cooperative and well-tempered, the music was awesome, the food was great, and the ale was cold - what a day!

~

Our first stop was the Clan MacLean tent (Justin's clan, his grandmother was a MacLean).

~

My family (Arnott) doesn't have a current clan, as there is no present-day clan chief. We are however, part of the Fife District Clan, as that is where the Arnot(t) family seat has been since the early 12th century.

~

After checking out the clan tents, we headed over to the grandstand to watch some of the heavy athletics competition. We watched the weight for height competition, and of course, the caber toss.

From there we headed over to the Children's grove, where they had face painting, and some cute games for kids.

Here is Hunter, channeling his inner William Wallace:

~

Playin' a little golf...

~

Hunter earned 12 tickets at the golf game!

~

Next was the haggis toss...

~

Check out the 'haggis' Hunter is about to throw-

~

After Hunter played his games, we decided to grab a bite to eat and sit down to watch some pipe-band competition.

We shared a steak and mushroom meat pie, as well as a Scotch egg

~

The scotch egg is a hard boiled egg, inside a massive sausage meatball, breaded and fried. Amazing.

~

The pipe bands were awesome, we could have sat there and listened all day!

~

I wasn't sure if the loud sound of the bagpipes would bother Morgan, I'm thinking it didn't :o)

~

After hearing some pipe bands, we headed back to the grandstand for the closing ceremonies. When we got there, Marine Band San Diego was playing.

And just as we were laughing about Justin not being able to get away, we looked behind us....

The Marine staring at Justin ended up coming up to us, and thanking Justin for his uniform - turns out he's a Bear's fan :o)

~

The highlight of the day was the mass bands at the closing ceremony. All of the pipe bands that competed stood together and played 'Amazing Grace' and 'Scotland the Brave' in unison (that's over 600 pipers at once!) It was so awesome, I had a hard time not tearing up!

~

Marine Band San Diego, interspersed with the L.A. Scots Pipe Band, one of only three grade I pipe bands in the United States

~

~

We had a great time at the games, and we hope that wherever we are next summer, there will be a Highland games for us to attend. (until then, the mission will be getting kilts for Justin and Hunter!)
~