Real Men Wear Kilts

I couldn't resist the chance to hear bagpipes being played, and what better place than the yearly Gathering of the Scottish Clans. Just 50 miles north of Austin, the historic town of Salado has been hosting this celebration of all things Scottish since 1961. The weekend schedule of activities includes not only piping and drumming, but a "Bonniest Knees" contest, Highland dancing, a Scottish shortbread competition and the Highland Games.

Pipers strolled the grounds warming up for the judges who consider

the timing, tuning, expression and execution of the bagpipes. The

Peobaireachd is the classic music of the great Highlanders.

 

The "Sheaf Toss" requires a 16 pound block to be tossed over the bar.
The bar represents a bale of hay.

          Pipers of all ages from Central Texas perform and compete during the weekend.

The tartan has become the symbol of the Scottish people.

Tartan patterns are called "sett". The variety of tartans

has never stopped growing, and almost every surname

from the British Isles has been associated with a Clan

and their tartan.

A bit of Scottish humor- A Scots boy came home from school and told his mother he had been given a part in the school play."Wonderful," says the mother. "What part is it?" The boy says, "I play the part of the Scottish husband." The mother scowls and says, "Go back and tell your teacher you want a speaking part."