Imagine you’re in the beautiful French countryside. The year is 1942 and the sun is peaking through the morning fog. You hear a low, repetitive thunder and after a few seconds, a strange melody emerges from beyond the fog.
Then, through the mist, you can see the impending mayhem slowly marching towards you. Led by bagpipers wearing their clan’s traditional kilts, a British army battalion marches towards battle to tunes that have been played by Scotsmen for centuries.
“What would you do?” asked Bill Youngquist, of Murfreesboro. “If it were me, I’d run. And a lot of men did.”
I spent a few minutes with Youngquist in a converted batting cage-throwing axes at a log Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Tennessee Highland Festival. I couldn’t land a single throw, but I did learn a little history.
“There was a period of time in Scotland’s history when bagpipes, kilts and weapons were all banned by the British,” Youngquist continued. “So they did anything they could to stay in shape. They threw rocks, hay bales, hammers and anything else.”
History is a big part of the annual Highland Festival. Hosted by the Heart of Tennessee Scottish Celebration (HOTSC), this is the 12th year the organization has put on the event. ##M[read more]##
Once a year, visitors are invited to take part in traditional Highland games, listen to Scottish folk songs and watch the dance competition. There are also several seminars, with subjects ranging from Mary Queen of Scots to traditional Gaelic lessons or Scots on the American frontier.
HOTSC President John Mauldin wants the festival to educate those interested in the culture and serve as a networking platform for those already involved.
“The Southeast is filled with people of Scottish heritage,” said Mauldin during the early hours of the festival. “Scottish immigrants originally settled in this area beginning around 1780. A lot of their descendants are still here today.”
With so many people of Scottish descent in the area, there is definitely a demand for Highland events. But the festival isn’t only for those who can trace their family back to the early 12th Century.
“We want everybody who’s interested to come,” Mauldin adds. “Our goal is to educate people on the history of this wonderful culture.
“One of the biggest parts of events like this are the clans [families] that set up booths and try to track down more members,” he continued. “Clans use events like this as networking opportunities. People will trace their line as far as they can and bring it to see if it matches up with anybody else’s.”
Over 40 clans attended the festival this year, each one setting up a tent proudly displaying their family heritage. Maps, family trees and traditional kilt patterns adorned the tents.
“It’s just real good fellowship,” said Gale Shearer of the MacDuff clan. “It’s about celebrating our heritage and sharing it with others.”
Shearer has been involved with Highland festivals for over a decade now. Her grandmother was of Scottish descent, as were her husband’s parents.
“My favorite part about all of this is the music,” she added emphatically.
Traditional Scottish tunes were played by a variety of artists from a small stage set up in the vending loop all day long. Three local pipe bands were also on hand to play concerts of traditional hymns and folk songs.
Scattered throughout the day were dance competitions, axe-throwing contests and my personal favorite, the haggis hurl. In case you aren’t familiar with haggis, you should look up a recipe and serve the traditional dish at your next dinner party.
Overall, the HOTSC put on a wonderful event. There are so many activities to get involved with that anybody can find something they enjoy. And, after all, who doesn’t enjoy great food, quality entertainment, nice people and subtly disguised lessons in history and culture?
For more information on the Heart of Tennessee Scottish Celebration, visit hotsc.bravehost.com.
