The Guardian Fall-Winter 2021

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24th Annual Sarasota Highland Games

 

Russ Harper in his freedom pose outside of the Wallace tent

The Sarasota Highland Games (FL) was held on January 27, 2018.  These games are held at Sarasota fair grounds in Sarasota, Florida.   Sunshine and windy was the weather of the day.   There were twenty one clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them.  Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Sarasota Pipes and Drum, Dunedin Pipes and Drums, Brendan Nolan and Booby Vesey and Mike Hickmont.  The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, British Car show, Border Collie Demonstration and Highland dancing.  The vendors at the games included, Celtic Store, Cameron British Food, The house of Douglas bakery, Scots Corner, Scots den, Celtic Designs by Melodye, The Celtic Store, and Faire Isles Trading Company.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.

 

Courtesy of Marcia Harper

 

“Braveheart” vs. William Wallace

Every member of the CWS should be able to speak on each of the following sixteen points. This is a nice little refresher on where film “Braveheart” and facts disagree:

  1. Wallace was the son of a Knight; not a poor cottar (farmer) as depicted.
  2. Wallace was not a highlander; he did not wear a kilt.
  3. His father, Sir Malcolm, was executed when Wallace was an adult.
  4. There is no record of Edward re instituting “First Night”.
  5. Wallace’s wife “Murren” (Marion Broadfoot) was executed because she helped Wallace evade capture.
  6. Scots did not paint themselves blue in the thirteenth century AD. The blue emulsion is called “woad” and was reportedly used by ancient Celts in Roman times.
  7. The wooden “castle” of Lanark was pure fantasy.
  8. The battle at Stirlinq took place at a bridge, not in open ground; the bridge was the key to success.
  9. Wallace never met Princess Isabella; he was dead before she came to England from France.
  10. Edward II (who really did prefer the company of men) married Isabella after his father’s death. (1308).
  11. Robert the Bruce did not ‘rescue’ Wallace after Falkirk.
  12. Robert the Bruce’s father did not have leprosy.
  13. Wallace was betrayed by Sir John Menteith of Dumbarton; Robert the Bruce was not present.
  14. Wallace was dragged behind a horse to his execution. (1305)
  15. Wallace was executed in the city of London; it is highly unlikely that any of his friends or followers could have been present.
  16. Bruce never intended to ‘parlay’ at Bannockburn; he knew from the start that this battle was the keystone to Scotland’s independence.

Originally published in “The Guardian” Vol 36 No 1

25th Annual Panama City Beach Highland Games

Russ Harper 1st Place Trophy for Best Clan Tent

The Panama City Beach Highland Games (FL) was held on March 4, 2017. These games are held at Frank Brown state park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Sunshine was the weather of the day. There were sixteen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Santa Rosa Pipes and Drum, Emerald Coast Pipe and Drum, Tallahassee Pipe and Drum, and the Panama City Pipe and Drums, and the McGuire’s Pipe and Drums, The Blarney Girls and the Seven Nations. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, British Car show, Border Collie Demonstration and Highland dancing. The vendors at the games included, Celtic Store, Cameron British Food, The house of Douglas bakery, Scots Corner, Scots den, and Near and Far Scottish.

At the end of the day Clan Wallace was awarded 1st place in Best clan tent. House of Gordon took 2nd place for Best Clan Tent, and Clan Johntson/e in American took 3rd place. Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.

Courtesy of Marcia Harper