Fifteen clans, from a dozen Midwestern states, were represented. The weekend schedule includes Scottish and Irish music by performers from several states, storytellers and dance exhibitions, demonstrations by sheep dogs, malt tasting and athletic field events. Clan tents provide family resource materials. At vendor booths you can watch a kiltmaker at work and shop for custom made gifts, piping supplies, books and woolens. Children s activities take place in a wee lads and lassies tent.
Food booths serve up Scottish scones, Irish bangers and other ethnic edibles.
To the untrained eye, field games may appear to be grown men in skirts throwing rocks and telephone poles, but amateur competitors in the Scottish Heavy Events take the contests very seriously. Traditional tests of overall strength, endurance and throwing abilities, the games originated in the rural Highlands as farming and logging activities, utilizing easily accessible implements. Contestants start with lighter and shorter cabers, flipping them end to end, and work their way up until they are eliminated. The current world record for this event is just an inch short of 63 feet. Other contests include the Scottish hammer throw, farmer s walk for distance, sheaf toss and a three-event strong man competition.