Ligonier Highland Games Brings Together Scots From All Over | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Ligonier Highland Games Brings Together Scots From All Over

Let your tartan fly.

18
Ligonier Highland Games Brings Together Scots From All Over
mediad.publicbroadcasting.net

Fall has always been the season of change and of new beginnings. The new school year starts, the leaves change, pumpkin spice everything comes back, horror movies start playing on TV again…all the usual things people associate with fall. But there’s also one seriously cool fall event that most people don’t even know exists—the Ligonier Highland Games, held every year at Idlewild Park in western Pennsylvania.

Tucked away in the mountains of Ligonier, the Highland Games is a Scottish-themed food and cultural festival held at Idlewild Park every fall. Guests can experience staples of Scottish culture such as traditional Scottish cuisine and drinks, Highland dancing, a Scottish dog breed exhibit and show, live performances of Celtic music, and Celtic sports, to name a few. Members of prominent Scottish clans also set up tents where people can learn about the family’s history, genealogy, and their contributions to Scotland.

As a Scottish-American, and a registered member of Clan Turnbull, I’ve been going to the Scottish Games in some capacity or another for as long as I can remember. I’ve always had an appreciation for my family history, a love of shepherd’s pie, and the desire to pet every Westie I meet. It’s one of my favorite fall activities, and I look forward to it all year. It always makes me happy to know that there are people out there who are proud of their heritage and culture and want to pay homage to it in a festival.

We were lucky this year—there was a pretty big crowd. Even so, most people have no clue what I’m talking about when I mention that I’m hosting the Turnbull clan tent at the Scottish Games. And that’s a shame. I love the Games, and I love my cultural background, so it’s too bad that the event doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. But maybe it’s for the best. The Scots have an offbeat sense of humor, and we love to joke that we don’t get the attention we deserve. So if the Games became a national sensation, we’d have to find something different to complain about.

In any case, I had a blast in all the past years I’ve gone, I had a blast this year, and I’m sure I’ll have a blast next year. And even though it’s the Scottish Games, you don’t have to be Scottish to have a good time. Everyone is welcome to check it out and learn a new culture. There’s cute dogs, hearty food, dancing, live music, plenty of alcohol…there’s something for everybody. You don’t have to look hard to find something you like.

I recommend the Ligonier Highland Games for Scottish-Americans who want to express their pride in their heritage, or for open-minded people who are curious and want to learn a new culture. To learn more, visit http://www.ligonierhighlandgames.org/.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1027
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

618
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199717
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20595
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments