Gatlinburg Highland Games

This past weekend we headed into the mountains for the annual Gatlinburg Highland Games. It was not a big festival like the ones you may find in Estes Park (CO) or Grandfather Mountain (NC), but it was still a great time considering I had never been to one prior to Saturday.

Casey's family likes to keep their Scottish ancestry alive and attending a Highland Games festival from time to time is one of the ways they do that. This was Gavin's inaugural experience. We hope to carry on the tradition and teach Gavin about his Scottish roots.


Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Morrison for a lovely and memorable weekend. We cherish our Family Fun Days.



It was a hot day. I couldn't let Gavin run around in just his kilt without the proper protection. Here he is getting his sunscreen. This tartan is not the Morrison tartan. All we found was a scarf made in the Morrison tartan. One day I will have to order the tartan and have a kilt made. Perhaps I'll get lucky and the next Highland Games we attend we will find a Morrison kilt. There are several Morrison tartans, each used for different occasions.




There were several traditional tribal(pipes and drums) bands, as well as a local Irish punk rock band. It was great to hear some live music. Below is a video of my favorite, Albanach. The word Albanach translates into "Scottish thing."




Taking a break in the shade.



Already routing for the University of Colorado, cousin Shannon's alma mater.




Just as the name of the event suggests, people participate in traditional competitive games.







Gavin has no fear when it comes to strangers. I hope he grows out of that. Here he is sneaking up on one! What I didn't get a picture of is when Gavin approached a stranger and in his own way asked for one of her french fries.


Me and my lil' Scotsman.


By the end of the afternoon Gavin was pooped...


Unfortunately, the 45-min. nap he got in his stroller kept him from being able to sleep during the long drive back to my inlaws house, about 2 hours away. He was not happy about this. We had to stop midway and let him run around. All we found was a McDonald's. Boy have those play areas changed since I was a kid. I don't think I've been inside a McDonald's since I was about 10. Yes, Gavin wore his kilt for the rest of the day. I foresee this kilt getting A LOT of use this summer. Those Scots are onto something.


Slàinte mhath!