by: Brian Robertson Photos by: Golnessa Shali
The 49th San Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans was held once again at the beautiful Brengle Terrace Park in Vista this past weekend, held during our traditional Southern California summer weather of warm, sunny, and scattered clouds; otherwise known as very non-traditional Scottish weather. Let’s just say kilts do have their benefits. From whatever gate visitors entered, they could hear the whistles and calls from the Sheepdog Trials, the clapping and cheering for the Athletic competitors, or the squeals and taps from the Pipe & Drum Bands. A large crowd watched the Athletics, like the Stone Put (similar to shot put) with a Braemar Stone (a 20–26-pound stone), Light and Heavy weights for distance, Light and Heavy Scottish Hammer, Sheaf (tossing a small bundle of hay over a bar using a pitchfork), Weight Over Bar, and everyone’s favorite, the Caber toss. Many took the time to meander through the Clan & Societies tents to find their heritage and learn about their history, name origins, and other stories not found in school history classes. I myself am always happy to stop by my own Scottish family clan heritage tent, surname Robertson for the Clan Donnachaidh..
Many stopped by the many vendors to grab some snacks from Browne’s English Toffee (https://brownsenglishtoffee.com/), or Scottish shortbread from McLaren’s Original Scottish Shortbread (https://www.mclarensshortbread.com/). Some picked up some hand sand blasted glassware from Crosby Girls Crafts (https://crosbygirlscrafts.com). Others got their hair braided at 5 Stranded Fairy Tails (https://5strandedfairytails.com), or picked up unique custom handmade gifts from Thistle and Stitch (https://www.thistleandstitch.com) or Celtic Jackalope (https://www.celticjackalope.com/). Essential Oils, local honey, handmade leather book covers, weapons (real and plastic), jewelry, cargo kilts, or any type of kilt from your own clan, even a purchase of canned haggis rounded out the shopping experience for others. All the while Banshee in the Kitchen (https://www.bansheeinthekitchen.com/) or Piper Jones Band (https://www.piperjonesband.com/) played their melodic tunes on the Main Stage.
Down in the Main building visitors stopped in to watch the Highland Dance competition, the Story Tellers, or join in with the Whiskey Tasting. My niece, Cassidy, took part in a Scottish Dance competition for beginning dancers. Another popular stop was the Food Court with Fish and Chips, or my favorite, Mince Meat Pies, Scottish Eggs, and Sausage Rolls from another local favorite Oscar’s Meat Pies. Oscar’s was founded by Oscar Dike to provide the Southern California Rugby Community with the familiar flavors of the colonies that were missed by expats from South Africa, New Zealand, the British Isles, Australia, Samoa & Fiji. The Beer Garden (21+) was packed where you could appreciate the Scottish music of Highland Way and Bad Haggis as you enjoyed your Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Amber Ale, or Vista favorite Twisted Horn, pouring their mead and cider.
After a brief break, or slight nap under a shady tree, lots of folks took a stroll to the other end of the park to hear the Pipe & Drum Band and Soloists Competitions and head on down to where the Sheepdog Trials resided. There visitors watched dogs, from rookie to veteran, herd a pack of four sheep around multiple obstacles. The handler can only blow their whistle and yell calls out to direct their trained companion. It’s said that it takes the same number of years that a dog has legs to train them. Before leaving the Highland Games, many stopped by to say hello to the Highland Cows and the Shetland Sheep from Outlander Highland Cows. I mean when was the last time you saw a cow and thought it needed a haircut?
Be sure to check out the website – https://sdhighlandgames.org/ – for dates and more information for next year’s Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans
