Highland Games 101

1. House of Gordon USA Highland Games 101 What to Expect at the Highland Games!

2. Welcome to the House of Gordon Tent at the Highland Games! This is where you come to meet family and friends! Get out of the sun, have a sit down, and SO MUCH MORE!

3. At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at!

4. The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” The House of Gordon also has a Wall Of Honor that honors our members who are or have served in the US Armed Forces.! We also honor the Gordon Highlanders, who Winston Churchill called “The finest Regiment that ever was!” At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at! At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at! At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at! At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at! At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at! At the Clan tent you will find displays with information about our clan history and your heritage! Some displays will have posters, maps, pictures, books, swords, uniforms, tartans, and a guest book for you to sign in at!

5. One of the best things about the Clan Tent is FOOD! At most games there will be some refreshment available to members at the tent. Don’t forget the tent mascot — he is always up to some mischief!

6. HEAVY ATHLETICS! See BIG MEN throwing stuff! The Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss and the Caber Toss are just a few of the fantastic Heavy Athletic Events to see. Root for your favorite athlete! These events began as a way for our clans to choose their strongest and best men for leadership positions! Did you know that strength is not the most important factor in the caber toss? Balance, timing and knowledge of physics is more important! It is all about the technique! So what most people think of as a feat of sheer brute force is truly a test of canniness AND strength!

7. Various Vendors… … with long lines! You will be able to find so many things from tee shirts to stained glass and carved horns! You can also find bagpipes, chanters, bodhrans, kilts, sporrans, and all kinds of highland gear and Celtic jewelry! Historical Re-enactments and living displays! You can find ladies spinning, knights in armor, regiments encamped, story tellers ... and displays from the 7 Nations (Celtic Nations that is!) like an Asturian Cider Tasting from the Celtic Region of Spain. Various Vendors… … with long lines! You will be able to find so many things from tee shirts to stained glass and carved horns! You can also find bagpipes, chanters, bodhrans, kilts, sporrans, and all kinds of highland gear and Celtic jewelry! Various Vendors… … with long lines! You will be able to find so many things from tee shirts to stained glass and carved horns! You can also find bagpipes, chanters, bodhrans, kilts, sporrans, and all kinds of highland gear and Celtic jewelry! Historical Re-enactments and living displays! Historical Re-enactments and living displays! HEAVY ATHLETICS! See BIG MEN throwing stuff! The Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss and the Caber Toss are just a few of the fantastic Heavy Athletic Events to see. Root for your favorite athlete! HEAVY ATHLETICS! See BIG MEN throwing stuff! The Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss and the Caber Toss are just a few of the fantastic Heavy Athletic Events to see. Root for your favorite athlete! You can find ladies spinning, knights in armor, regiments encamped, story tellers ... and displays from the 7 Nations (Celtic Nations that is!) like an Asturian Cider Tasting from the Celtic Region of Spain. You can find ladies spinning, knights in armor, regiments encamped, story tellers ... and displays from the 7 Nations (Celtic Nations that is!) like an Asturian Cider Tasting from the Celtic Region of Spain.

8. ANIMALS! Highland Cows (or Hielan Coos) are highlighted at some events. And many times you can even get highland beef to eat too. These animals are hairy — not furry and both the male and female of the breed have long sweeping horns. Border Collies will be demonstrating their ability to move sheep just about wherever they want! Did you know that Border Collies are considered the most intelligent of all dog breeds? They are also among the oldest breeds.

9. Many Scottish Breed Societies will have a Rescue tent. You can get information on rescued dogs in need of a home! Sometimes there will be ferrets and “ferret legging” contests— maybe you will even hear the piper playing “Andy Renwick’s favorite ferret!”

10. PIPERS! You will see pipers in competition and at massed bands. Pipers at the clan tent, and leading the clan in the parade of tartans! Native Dancers dancing to the pipes — a unique American tradition! And pipers in Celtic Rock Bands performing on stage and at the pub tent!

11. Highland Dancers! You will see Highland Dancers in competition, exhibition, and at the clan tent. They will be dancing The Sword Dance also known as the Ghillie Callum, The Highland Fling (maybe to the Marquis of Huntly’s Highland Fling), the Seann Triubhas, the Strathspey, the Reel, the Hornpipe, the Jig and many more! You will see them in Kilts and waistcoats, or in Aboyne Dress (named for our Chief’s own Aboyne Highland Games).

12. Parade of Tartans You can expect to see the Parade of Tartans and maybe even a Clan Chief, like our own Granville, Marquis of Huntly, the Cock of the North Himself!

13. Best of All... Expect Smiling Faces! Ó House of Gordon USA 2008