Tartan Days

Our rural community sported a a "Tartan Days". Despite the cold (and spitting snow), there was a good turn out of spectators. We decided to treat it as a homeschool field trip. It generated a lot of conversation.

On the way there, Josiah asked me about kilts. I told him they were sort of a test of manhood for Scottish men. When we got out of the car, he started rolling up his pant legs (he was wearing cowboy boots). I asked him why he was doing that and he said he wanted to be a man, too. Sorry buddy! Well now he wants to get a kilt in the worst way. This sent me on a family history search to see what tartan(s) we were authorized to wear. So far, I've found two. We were blessed to have Weston-McEwen High School's "Highland Band" come over to give us a mini-concert. We enjoyed listening to "Scotland the Brave", "Amazing Grace" and other famous Highland tunes.  

I shot this using the "vivid color" mode on my camera since it was such a gray day. I wanted the colors of the kilts to really pop. Here is a picture of the bandmaster.Pipes and drums.

The man in the middle was the band leader.

Now Josiah wants to play the bagpipes, too. Oh boy!

I like the way the pipers all had little flags flying from their pipes.

They even had a Highland dancing demonstration. It was very pretty. I was thrilled that I was able to shoot this just as they were leaving the ground on their tippy toes. Talk about luck with the timing!

Tartan Days was a prelude to a much larger event that will be happening in this area. The Celtic Society is putting together a full-on Celtic Festival at the end of August. It will include Highland games, vendors, food, music and such. Really looking forward to attending. Maybe by then Josiah will have a kilt to wear ;)

Blessings,

Jackie