Monday, July 26, 2010

A day with the Scottish Mafia!

This weekend we went to the Highland Games in Uxbridge! 

We go every year and the Little Prince wears his little Glasgow Rangers uniform - personalized of course!  My uncle sends them over and all the Scottish grannies and aunties at the games go nuts for him.  It's fun having our last name on the back of the Little Prince's shirt as our name is well known in the Scottish Mafia so people know it's us right away.  The Suburban Prince often puts the Little Prince on his shoulders so we end up being spotted a mile away!
We got a great table in the beer garden and set up for lunch - we had our cooler on wheels so we were able to keep everyone (especially the Little Prince) happy with snacks and drinks.  The Little Prince LOVES the music and breaks into spontaeous dance from time to time - the rest of the time he claps along!

My FIL wore his kilt - the Suburban Prince didn't as it was about 45 degrees here with the humidity and the thought of being out in the heat and humidity, wrapped in 6-8 yards of wool didn't appeal to him.  This is why Scottish holidays start in October!

It was pouring rain most of the day which further reinforces my theory that if you gather enough Scottish people together, it will rain.  The higher the ratio of Scottish to everyone else, the higher the odds of rain....I kept my wedding to 40:60 Scottish:everyone else...the odds were in my favour and it did not rain!  On the other hand I have never been to a Highland Games that didn't invoke rain.  I have been soaked while singing Scotland the Brave more times than I can count!

Another interesting fact....Scottish people are not bothered enough to give up their seats in the beer garden or leave an event just because of a little huricaine downpour. 

Some country dancing - similar to a square dance.

Pipe bands were playing all over the place at random times in the middle of intersections - verry cool!


This event has the only Scottish all breed dog competition in North America (or so we were told).  The Dandie Dinmont Terriers are the sweetest dogs - when you pick them up they just flop in your arms - they LOVE cuddles!

I swear these dogs just sleep and cuddle all day long!


Highland dancing competitions - we had to pull the Little Prince off those stairs twice!!  While the girls were dancing!  Yes, my child is that child *sigh* The Highland Fling was originally done by male warriors before and after battles.  It used to be done on a targe which is a round shield.  These days it is mostly performed by girls and the occassional boy who, let's face it, has the odds is his favour!

Of course there are sheep shearing demos!

Mmmmm deed fried Mars bars!  YUM! 
Just like with haggis, don't say it's gross until you have tried it.

The military bands doing their last big performance for the afternoon.  There are different types of bands - a military Tattoo is for technical/traditional bands...the videos below are of the Highland Creek Pipe Band who are the ultimate performance pipe band...it's like watching PipeBandRockBand...


About halfway through they play Auld Lang Syne (the ultimate Scottish song followed closely by Loch Lomand) and the people around us all started dancing - or what might be called dancing after an entire afternoon in the beer garden.


This is the same band marching out - check out the pipe/drum major's mace skills!


We didn't get to see any of the heavy events (sheaf, caber toss etc) because of the rain.  Next year!


Have a fabulous day!

16 comments:

Ms. Bake-it said...

How fascinating! It looks like so much fun. I bet the Little Prince is just too adorable in his personalized Glasgow Rangers uniform. 2 - 3 times a year at our local farmer's market there is a pipe band that performs and they draw a large crowd.

~ Tracy

highheeledlife said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day! LP must have looked just adorable!!! Good for you for being under the tent - with the rain... and how great that it just happened to be serving beer..lol... the pictures are so great .. thanks for sharing a little Scottish culture.. those dogs are so cute...XO HHL

A New England Girl said...

*sigh*.... you make me miss Scotland even more so than I already miss it. It's such a beautiful country with even more beautiful traditions, customs and people! :)
I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. And I so agree about the rain! ;)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Looks like fun!
I have tried haggis but never a deep fried Mars bar...
I love a man in a kilt!

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

I love the Scottish Games and was raised on them. When we were back in our summer home in upstate NY we would go up to Maxville for the games and visit all the relatives. There is nothing like walking around and hearing the bands all day long. Thanks for the mini vacation this morning. :) xoxo

Southern Champagne Wishes said...

How fun! I loved reading this - I think that little uniform is adorable and I can only imagine the ladies going crazy for the LP!

I also thing those dogs are adorable! It sounds like a great event and I love learning about other people's culture.

Beth Dunn said...

How cute is that!
xoxo
SC

Jessica said...

Fun! Looks like a blast.

Gotta love men in kilts ;)

Associate Girl said...

I hear ya, sister! Robert Burns Day is more important to my family than Christmas. And haggis is quite nice on a cracker with some Scotch pourded over it.

Ruth said...

Looks like y'all had a blast.

Toad said...

I am so happy to see that you have become internationally famous. Congrats

Jo said...

Looks like fun ~ I'm game for the fried Mars bar but a little hesitant on the haggis.Thanks for the tour.


Jo

Henley on the Horn said...

I love all of the pictures! I am fascinated by other cultures and love learning more!

jules said...

That looks like so much fun. I love going to events with different cultures.

Unknown said...

That does look like so much fun! And the Dandies are so cute!

Fifi Flowers said...

I want one of those deep fried mars bars RIGHT NOW... yummy!!!