Southwestern Vermont Highland Games May/2005

They came from Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and beyond, carrying cameras, toddlers and lawn chairs.

They came from clans named "MacInnes," "MacKay," "Macaulay" "MacIntosh," and "Boyd" donning kilts and bagpipes, and showing swords and flags.

Mostly, the 1,000 or so people came despite the threat of rainfall to celebrate Scottish heritage as part of the second annual Southwestern Vermont Highland Games at Beebe Farm on Saturday.

Gov. James Douglas, his wife Dorothy and local dignitaries were on hand for a festival started last year as a way for people to honor military troops serving in the state and internationally and to educate the masses about Scottish ancestry.

"It's the people like you who make us proud to serve," said Vermont National Guard Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville, who was also on hand as the honorary chieftain who formally opened the festivities. "So thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support."

A parade featured 26 clans and Scottish societies as well as a "clan" of Vermont National Guard soldiers who had just recently returned from serving in Kuwait.

Paul W. Carroccio, who coordinated traffic at the event, estimated about 1,000 people came to the festivities that included Scottish dancing, sporting activities, music from a pipe band or two and food.

Liz Carey of Salem, N.H., was one of those who came on what would become a warm, sunny day.

She said she drove here to support her boyfriend in the McPherson clan and got a giggle for the sheep shearing demonstration.

"I just watched the sheep shearing and the sheep actually ran away," she said. "I was laughing pretty hard."

Kevin and Mary Wagner, of Guilford, N.H., said they came as a way to celebrate their daughter Kristena's 16th birthday. As a present, she got to see a raucous performance by Clann an Drumma that got Rainville and Dorothy Douglas dancing a little.

The Rev. Robert Boutwell said the invocation, James Ayrey played "The Flowers of the Forest" to remember those lost in battle, and Charlie Zahm sang the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.

George McNeill of Danby, who helped coordinate the event, asked each of the clans to yell their war cry. Some of the leaders screamed things like "Danger is sweet" and "Victory or death" while a man in a bright red kilt referred to errors in the movie "Braveheart."

Last year, the Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) was deemed the day's honored group from a total of 15 clans during the ceremonies. This year, McNeill recognized Clan Keith.

"It's great for those of us of Scottish heritage to celebrate it," said Gov. Douglas, who told the crowd Vermonters are fighting for our freedom and their families should get all the state help they need.

During the festivities, Rainville promoted Lt. Col. Peter J. Fagan, commander of the 86th Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division of the Vermont Army National Guard in Northfield, to the rank of colonel.

Rainville said event organizers had already presented her with a check for $5,000 for the Family Readiness Groups, which benefits the families of troops serving in the armed forces.

"This is a first for me," she said of her role in the ceremonies. "And it's pretty exciting."

Richard Boyd at 2005 Maine Games

More Games

Pictures

Ringwood Scottish Highland Games Melbourne, Australia

Anne Arundel County Scottish Festival

Salado, Texas 1998

Games of Past Years

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