July 9-12, 2009 |
July 8-11, 2010
The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans brings the color of 160 tartan plaids and the clamor of half a dozen bagpipe bands to the North Carolina Highlands Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12, 2009.
The Grandfather Games are considered America’s grandest Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain tower above a grassy green meadow ringed by 172 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents. The color is augmented by thousands of Scots luxuriously costumed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettle drums echoing across the moor.
 Opening Ceremonies
The Highland Games begin Thursday afternoon, July 9, with a picnic, piping concert, sheep herding exhibition, the running of “The Bear” and the opening ceremonies.
The opening ceremonies begin at dusk with a torchlight ceremony where representatives of each of the 160 clans announce their family’s participation in the gathering. This “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have once again come together to celebrate their heritage.
Among the many sights and sounds of Scotland to be found on MacRae Meadows throughout the weekend is the popular bazaar set up adjacent to the parade grounds. Merchants sell Gaelic and tartan gift items while concessionaires sell Scottish meat pies to give visitors a taste of the highlands. There is also a tent set up to help guests trace their Scottish roots and learn more about their heritage.
Perhaps the most authentically Highland event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays inside the Gàidhlig Céilidh Tent. Persons keen to know how their ancestors spoke and the music which they enjoyed should come along and join in group singing of Gaelic songs and some quick, free, basic lessons in the Gaelic language. Sheep herding by Scottish border collies is a crowd favorite each morning and afternoon of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. The most colorful event of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games happens Sunday when representatives from each Scottish Clan in attendance march behind tartan banners in the Parade of Tartans. So many people participate that the parade circles the track twice before all participants are on the field. Another highlight of the Grandfather Games is when all bagpipe bands in attendance march as one in the parade of the massed bands.
The Bear, The Grizzly & The Marathon
Prior to the torchlight ceremony, 800 runners will participate in a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear” that climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.
New this year on Friday, July 10 is the Grizzly Bike Ride, a challenging route with 7,000 feet of climbing completed over 65 miles. The ride begins at Grandfather Mountain with cyclists traveling throughout Avery County, including a two-mile dirt road up the backside of Beech Mountain.
 Completing the trifecta of extreme physical challenges is the 41st running of the Grandfather Mountain Marathon on Saturday, July 11. A special prize will be awarded to athletes who complete all three grueling events.
At the center of the activity, the nation’s top Scottish athletes clash in traditional heavyweight events such as “Turning the Caber” and “Tossing the Sheaf.” The first requires an athlete to flip a telephone pole-sized tree trunk end-over-end and the second challenges athletes to loft a 16-pound sack of hay over a cross bar more than 20 feet above the ground. Other ancient tests of strength awaiting the brawny professionals are highland wrestling, putting the stone, the hammer throw and various weight throws.
Celtic Jam
On Friday night, the Celtic Jam highlights traditional and contemporary Celtic music at MacRae Meadows and on Saturday night the Celtic Rock Concert serves up encore performances from some of the higher energy bands.
Among the performers at the Celtic Jam and Celtic Rock Concert on Friday and Saturday nights, and in the Celtic Groves each day, are a drum and pipe group named Albannach who will deliver a heart-pounding tribal rhythm that makes people get up and dance, Barleyjuice, The Killdares, Coyote Run, Mother Grove, Scythian and many others.
More traditional Celtic folk musicians appearing at the Games include Alex Beaton, Ed Miller, Scooter Muse and Colin Grant Adams.
Other evening activities include a concert of Scottish folk music and dance called a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) held both Friday and Saturday nights at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk; a piping concert at the Broyhill Inn in Boone; a concert by Alex Beaton & Friends, also at the Broyhill Inn; and a Scottish Country Dance Gala at Lees-McRae College.
Tickets
Adult tickets are $15 Thursday, $20 Friday, $30 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Tickets are $5 each day for children ages 5-12 with children under five free. Tickets are available at the field on the day of the event.
Directions from Asheville
70 miles from Asheville, NC: Take I-40 East to Marion, NC. Take Exit #85. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go one mile to a stoplight. At the stoplight turn left and follow US 221 North to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain (about 30 miles).
The public can park on site at the Games field Thursday and Friday, but public parking is not available at the field on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle service is provided between MacRae Meadows and satellite parking areas in Linville, Newland and Boone. Shuttle fees vary depend on the distance between the shuttle lots and MacRae Meadows.
History
The Grandfather Highland Games were started in 1956. Since then, they have become one of the most popular and colorful events in the nation. The Games are held beside and within a 440 yard oval track, because running foot-races was always the most traditional aspect of Highland Games. Sadly, Grandfather is one of the few Games in the U.S. to have its own track. Other "children" of the Grandfather Games concentrate on the so-called "Heavy" Events, with no foot-races involved.
The site of the GMHG is MacRae Meadows, high on the slopes of mile-high Grandfather Mountain. The setting closely resembles Kintail in Scotland's Wester Ross. The rugged terrain, the wild-flowers and even the weather are all similar. Rhododendrons and mountain ash (rowan trees) grow in profusion, the Allegheny sand myrtle is a member of the heather family, thistles bloom in August and occasional "scotch mists" swirl through the gaps and around the mountain tops.
For more, go to the GMHG website.
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