Someone asked me if I was going to wear a kilt to the Scottish
Games.
”
I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those things,
”
I replied.
”
And I’m not particularly fond of bagpipes either.
”
Someone asked me if I was going to wear a kilt to the Scottish Games. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those things,” I replied. “And I’m not particularly fond of bagpipes either.”
My great grandmother (on my father’s side) was born Anna MacLeod, and I’m sure that long departed Scottish woman would roll over in her grave if she heard me spouting such sacrilegious talk.
So what then prompted me to attend the Scottish Games festival held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds last month? I’ve been studying my family history a bit lately, and I’ve developed a curiosity about that aspect of my ancestry. I thought going to the event would teach me more about my Scottish side and help me develop a greater appreciation for it.
In my younger days, I felt a bit embarrassed by the fact I was part Scottish. It wasn’t just the kilts and bagpipes thing. I thought the Loch Ness monster legend was as silly as Big Foot. I also hated the Scottish stereotype for being cheap with money. And I’d always winced at the fake lilting brogue of the world’s most famous fictional Scot – the engineer Scottie on “Star Trek.”
Exploring the festival and its various Scottish activities and sporting tournaments, I realized the embarrassment I’d once felt had been unjustified. I discovered that the colorful heritage I was ancestrally connected to is one to be proud of.
Yes, there were all the qualities you would expect at a Scottish-focused shinding. Never in my life had I seen so many men in kilts. And I gained a tremendous appreciation for bagpipes after hearing “The Flintstone” theme song comically played on these bellowing musical instruments.
One festival section had rows of tents housing the various Scottish clans organizations. I found the MacLeod (pronounced Mac-CLOUD) outpost and soon was chatting with David MacLeod about the clan that I am connected to through my great grandmother. Much to my tribal pride, I learned from him the MacLeods are one of the “Five Grand Clans of Scotland” because they’ve played such an important role in Scottish history.
It turns out my clan’s primary historic base is the Isle of Skye, a rugged and breath-takingly beautiful location that’s the largest and most northern island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. In a remote spot of the island stands Dunvegan Castle, the MacLeods ancestral home which they’ve managed to hold onto for nearly 800 years.
This MacLeod mansion has an astonishing legend involving a “faerie flag,” a tattered silk banner which is kept on display for curious tourists. Apparently, the Shining Folk blessed the flag with the remarkable ability to call for other-worldly aid if the clan is in crisis. The story goes it’s been used twice for help so far. The third and last wave is being kept for some truly exceptional emergency. Perhaps with global warming melting the ice caps, the MacLeod chieftain can wave it one final time if the British isles start to submerge.
After my chat with MacLeod, I went to another section of the fairgrounds where festival organizers had set up a history “village.” Here, people wore period clothes representing various eras in Scottish history. The timeline started with the warrior Picts, who went about shirtless with their skins painted with bright blue primitive designs. A small group of Roman legionnaires held their version of a “fort” along Hadrian’s Wall demarcating the Scottish border. Viking invaders of Scotland’s Dark Ages were also represented. And an elaborate tent featured the lovely Mary Queen of Scots who warmly met festival goers in her royal court setting.
Towards the end of the day, I chatted with one kilt-wearing fellow about the role the Scottish have played in American and California history. Many of our Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, were of Scot ancestry. And based here in his Bay Area home at Martinez, Inverness-born environmentalist John Muir preserved much of California’s wilderness.
After a day’s exposure to all things Scottish, I found myself feeling truly proud of this fascinating culture I’m a part of. In fact, I had a strong desire to get myself into a kilt with the MacLeod Tartan.
When I found out a custom-made kilt would set me back at least $400, I decided to purchase a $20 official “MacLeod” T-shirt instead. It featured my clan’s emblem of a bull’s head emblazoned with the motto “Hold Fast.” Great grandma Anna MacLeod would be proud to see me wearing it.
