scottish festival – Clan Wallace Society

64th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 07/20/2019 by Scott Wallace

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (NC) was held on July 11,12,13,14, 2019. Overcast skies for most of the weekend, but the sun did come out to greet the ninety nine clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Also at the games are Scottish Tartan Museum, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and Scottish Culture and St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina. Russ and Marcia Harper along with Larry and Judy Slight hosted the Clan Wallace tents.

These games are held at MacRae meadow on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. Thursday night Russ did the calling of, the Clan. Wallaces cheered as he yelled FREEDOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Special guest with us this weekend was President Karen Wallace and her husband Charles. Lots of Wallaces attended this weekend actives, Past President Larry Slight and Treasurer Judy Slight, Mark Clifford, John and Sally Wallace and family, Judy Wallace Moore and family, Terry and Kelly Wallace, Susanne Dykes, Glen Wolfe, Mary Jo Hutchinson, Linda Tyrell and Granddaughter Samantha Matson alone with many more.

One of the special events that took place at the Wallace tent was that the Past President, Russ Harper presented the new President, Karen Wallace with the presidential metal, symbolling the passing of the torch from one to the other.

We had a special guest at the Games this year is Clan Chief Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid.

The 2019 Bear Run, part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, started in Linville Thursday night and concluded at the top of Grandfather Mountain. Over 867 runners started the race and ranged in age from 8 to 80.

Our thanks to the many that came out and enjoy the weekend with us. Without YOU there is no Clan Wallace. Can’t wait to see you all next year!

Contributed by Marcia Harper

Smokey Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 06/06/2019 by Scott Wallace

The Smokey Mountain Highland Games (TN) was held on May 18-19, 2019. These games are held at the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. Sunny skies and 95 degree weather for the weekend. Forty nine clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Colin Grant Adams, Seven to the Sea, MacGilliossa, The Piper Jones Band, Highland Reign, The Celtic Martins, Alabannach, Good Thymes Ceilidh Band, The Celtic Martins. The Games included heavy athletics, kilted run, Children’s Highland games competition, and Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included, Near and Far, The Gaelic Shop, The Celtic Knot, Highland Kilt Company, the Scots Corner.

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

Contributed By Marcia Harper

18th Annual Dixon Scottish Highland Games and Gathering

Posted on 10/27/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Dixon Scottish Highland Games have been going on for 18 years in beautiful Dixon California. The games were held on September 29^th 2018 in the Dixon Fairgrounds.

Thirty four clans showed up at the fairgrounds for a wee bit O’ Scotland. The Clan Wallace tent was hosted by Russ and Marcia Harper. We were honored to have join us for the weekend, Deanna Lopes general manager of the games and a member of Clan Wallace.

Deanna graciously invited us to a whisky tasting that she spoke about all of the different single malt whiskies that were being tasted. Russ and I enjoyed learning about all the different types of single malt.

Along with Scottish Athletics they also hosted women’s Rugby matches. Every now and again a stray ball would come into the clan tents. Heads up!

The games hosted living history exhibits of Scottish history reenactors where you could view their encampment, Vikings and Army of Montrose Free artillery, 79th New York Highland were also present.

The entertainment for the games Flask, Tempest, Michael Mullen’s Trio of one.

Something special to these games is a Scottish wedding renewal of vows. Couples may renewal their wedding vows Scottish style.

Thank you so much for all that came out and joined us for the weekend. We can’t do the games without your support.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

Kelso Highlander Festival and Scottish Games 2018

Posted on 09/20/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Kelso Highlander games have been going on some 30 years in beautiful Kelso Washington nestled in the shadows of Mount St. Helens. The games were held on September 8th and 9th 2018 in the Tam O’Shanter Park.

Free admission for the seventeen clans and all that showed up at the park for a wee bit O’ Scotland. The Clan Wallace tent was hosted by Russ and Marcia Harper. We were honored to have join us for the weekend, Norma and Puffin Wallace from Bend Oregon and Jeani, Julie, and Doug Johnson from Vancouver Washington.
On July 6, 1970, the City of Kelso Washington entered into a sister city relationship with the City of Kelso Scotland. A gentleman named Peter Crawford from Kelso Scotland founded Kelso Washington.

The entertainment for the games was Men of Worth and Rogues End. The Honored Clan was Maxwell, which lead the Parade through town and to the park where the rest of the clans joined them in the Parade of Tartans. The games was opened by a miniature cannon fired by the Chieftain of the games Chief Andrew Hamilton, the Chief of Police for Kelso.

The clans all voted for next years Honored Clan, which will be Clan Wallace.

Thank you so much for all that came out and joined us for the weekend. Plan to come out next year and be part of the honored Clan. We can’t do the games without your support.

Courtesy of Marcia Harper

63rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 07/23/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (NC) was held on July 12,13,14,15, 2018. Rainy Friday to start off the weekend but the sun did come out to greet the one hundred and eighteen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Also at the games are Scottish Tartan Museum, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and Scottish Culture and St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina. Russ and Marcia Harper along with Larry and Judy Slight hosted the Clan Wallace tents.

These games are held at MacRae meadow on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. Thursday night Russ did the calling of, the Clan. Wallaces cheered as he yelled FREEDOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of Wallaces attended this weekend actives, Russ Wallace and family, Mark Clifford, John and Sally Wallace and family, Judy Wallace Moore and family, Larry and Judy Slight, Megan Fischer, Terry and Kelly Wallace alone with many more.

New this year at Grandfather Mountain Highland games is the Wallace clan stone that has been added to the memorial at the entrance of the games.

We had a special guest at the Games this year, Actor David Berry currently of “Outlander” fame, as Lord John Grey. Other special guests to the games are Margaret Frances Boswell Elliott, 29^th Chief of Clan Elliott and Andrew MacThomas of Finegand the 19^th Chief of Clan MacThomas.

The 2018 Bear Run, part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, started in Linville Thursday night and concluded at the top of Grandfather Mountain. Over 800 runners started the race and ranged in age from 8 to 80.

For the 4^h year at Grandfather Mountain, we had women athletes competing in the games. Amy Jenkins proudly wears the Wallace green when she competes. Go Amy!!!!

We would like to recognize the following new members, Karen Firehock, Russ Wallace, Bruce Wallace Bowen, Justin Crowe, and Chris Simeral for joining the Society. Also returning annual member Mark Clifford.

Our thanks to the many that came out and enjoy the weekend with us. Without YOU there is no Clan Wallace. Can’t wait to see you all next year!

37th annual Smoky Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 06/01/2018 by Scott Wallace

The 37th annual Smoky Mountain Highland Games (TN) was held on May 19-20, 2018. These games are held at the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. Sunny skies and 95 degree weather for Saturday and light rain all day on Sunday. Forty nine clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper along with Aaron Harper and Susanne Dykes hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Colin Grant Adams, Albannach, Tannahill Weavers, Four Leaf Peat, The Selkie Girls, Trip Rogers, Marci the Entertainer, and the Good Thymes Ceilidh Band. The Games included heavy athletics; which our very own Jeremy Wallace came in 2^nd place in the amateurs “A” division. There were also a kilted run, Children’s Highland games competition, Highland dancing, Pipe band Competition and Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included, Near and Far, The Gaelic Shop, The Celtic Knot, The Heelan Hound, Highland Kilt Company, the Scots Corner, Scottish Gourmet, the Celtic Croft and the St. Croix weaving.

Three Best tent awards were handed out, Clan Wallace won first place.

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

Contributed By Marcia Harper

18th Annual Bethabara Highland Games

Posted on 05/07/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Bethabara Highland Games (NC) was held on May 5, 2018. Overcast skies and 80 degree was the weather of the day. There were seventeen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at Historic Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Highland Games at Historic Bethabara Park are held to pay respect to the heritage of the early Scots and Scots-Irish pioneers who helped and guided the Moravians in their settlement of the Wachovia tract. This game is free and open for the enjoyment of the public. Russ and I along Linda Tyrell and Grandson Adian marched in the parade of Tartan.

The entertainment included the Jamestown Pipes and Drum and North Carolina State Pipeband. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, Children’s Colonial Games and storytelling, Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included Lady Susan’s Shortbread, Near and Far Scottish, Scottish Leather, Kelpie Pottery, Carolina Celt, and Lumpy’s Ice Cream.

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

Contributed by Marcia Harper

25th Annual Rural Hill Loch Norman Scottish Festival

Posted on 04/25/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Rural Hill Loch Norman Scottish Festival (NC) was held on April 21-22, 2018. Sunny skies greeted the fifty eight clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Other participants included the SAMS (Scottish American Military Society), Council of Scottish Clans and Societies, New World Celts, and St. Andrews Society of North Carolina. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at Rural Hill Farms in Huntersville, North Carolina. Rural Hill, the homestead of Revolutionary War patriots Major John and Violet Wilson Davidson is located in the Catawba River Valley in northwest Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The Davidson family is representative of the thousands of Scots and Scots-Irish who contributed to the growth of the Carolinas and put a unique cultural stamp on the American South.

The parade of tartans was held at noon on Sunday. Clan Wallace waited patiently as fifty seven clans marched before us. Dr. Joseph Morrow, QC, Lord Lyon King of Arms greeted everyone as they came off the parade field for a job well done.

Special quests that stopped by our tent were, Dr. Joseph Morrow, QC, Lord Lyon King of Arms, Malcolm Sinclair the 20^th Earl of Caithness, Chief of Clan Sinclair.

On Saturday for the opening ceremony 15 pipe bands took the field. What a glorious site and sound to be hold.

The Scottish American Military Society (SAMS) Post 1775 conducted a Flag Retirement ceremony on the main filed Saturday in accordance with the flag code.

Our thanks to all that came out and enjoy the weekend with us.

Pictured are: Dr. Joseph Morrow, QC, Lord Lyon King of Arms, Russ Harper, President Clan Wallace, and his wife Marcia Harper

Courtesy of Marcia Harper

2nd Annual Tartan Day North Carolina

Posted on 04/10/2018 by Scott Wallace

The 2nd annual Tartan Day North Carolina celebration was held on April 6, 2018 at the Raleigh Museum of History. North Carolina has a rich history of Scots relocating to the new world. During troubled times, many Highlanders relocated to the Cape Fear River Valley and from the Lowlands, Ulster Scots settled throughout the Piedmont and Southern Appalachians.

Clan Wallace, Clan McLean, Clan Donald and SCOT (Scottish Association of the Triangle) were invited to the Museum of History to help educated folks on how important Tartan Day is in North Carolina. Along with the three clans where Wake District Pipe and Drum, Our State Magizine, weapons and sword dancing.

Russ and Marcia Harper set up a display of things that related to Scots in North Carolina and Clan Wallace. We also handed out packets we created to teachers to help their students better understand what it is to be Scottish and how it relates to North Carolina. It was estimated that 300 home school children visited us for Tartan Day. While many of the folks that visited had no Scottish connection, they were interested in finding out about Tartan Day.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

26th Annual Panama City Beach Highland Games

Posted on 04/02/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Panama City Beach Highland Games (FL) was held on March 3, 2018. These games are held at Frank Brown state park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Sunshine and wind was the weather of the day. There were forty 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 Wren’s Nest, 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. Clan Kennedy 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.

Contributed by Marcia Harper