Tennessee Highland Games

[Dirk Skene]

My clan booth was quite active at the Tennessee Highland Festival this last Saturday. There were many adults, but the real interest in the Books that listed family names to clans came from the kids.


The young fellow to the middle had no idea who William Wallace was. Once he found out he dove in head first. He came back several times looking over information again & again & taking notes from my books.


The last time he came back Our own Liz was there. I asked her what she might be able to tell him about William Wallace & a bit of Scottish history in general. He & his friends listened attentively. While I attended to folks coming up to the booth to look at the books & ask questions my wife sat in on the “lesson.” She later told me that she had never seen teens so attentive in all her life. She could tell they were really listening.
Thanks Liz

Our own Liz & Yours Truly

I have done 2 of these booths now & must say opening doors for the kids is the most rewarding part of the whole thing. It really makes me feel good.

[Liz]

Dirk, it was quite my pleasure. Those children were delightful and I enjoyed talking with them. I swear that one boy has the makings of a future historian.

Thank you for your hospitality, the shade of your tent and the drinks were most appreciated on a very hot day. It was great meeting you and your lovely wife.

Liz.

[Dirk Skene]

Originally Posted by Mike

Hmm, they've moved to a new location, eh? I thought the Ren Faire location ....

My next door neighbors were the Murry Clan. The felow running the booth had the scoop on what was up. They probably could have had the Ren Faire location again, but in order to help the Ren Faire people keep their place they went elsewhere. Seems a county commisioner or 2 wants the whole thing squashed. They have passed ordinances that make it hard for the Ren Faire folks to keep it going. These same bozo's do not like the Scots either. The Highland fest folks picked a different place so maybe the lack of one of the 2 at the "Castle" grounds will help the Tennesee Ren event to keep going on unmolested.

I think we need to call in the Fraisers

[Mike]

Hey, Liz, I'm happy to see you made it!

Dirk, did I or did I not tell you that Liz was sharp when it came to Scottish history? We've been known to travel great distances to visit with one another. Heck, I've even gone so far as to fly to Scotland to meet with her.

It's wonderful to hear that Liz was able to share with these teens. She has hopefully sparked an interest in them that will keep them searching for the truth about Scotland. And from where I am sitting, that's a good thing!

Liz, it just dawned on me that I've not seen you since Lanark. That's simply too long. Have you been back to Lanark since the Homecoming? I know there were some grand plans for St. Kentigern's Kirk and I am wondering how that is all coming along.

[Liz]

Yes, it would be a wonderful thing to have sparked an interest in history in those young minds. They seemed so eager to learn.

Mike, I haven't been back to Scotland since the Lanark Homecoming. Maybe we ought to ask Nick whatever became of all those grand plans. I do still hold out hope that I will be able to go next spring and check things out for myself.

It always takes me about 2 years to save up for another trip, and since my granddaughter graduated last year, I very much wanted to expand her horizon before she started at university. I left the choice up to her, and she opted for the Continent. So we went to Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France, with only a one day stop-over in London. Her interest lies in architecture, so I can understand her choice. But it sure felt strange not to be landing in Glasgow.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Liz

Mike, I haven't been back to Scotland since the Lanark Homecoming. Maybe we ought to ask Nick whatever became of all those grand plans. I do still hold out hope that I will be able to go next spring and check things out for myself.

I was hoping to make it back across sometime late spring/early summer myself, but nothing is definite.

I was starting to get used to the idea of visiting every four or five months, but my current state of financial embarrassment isn't helping me keep the string alive.