Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games 2009

This past weekend, May 16-17, was the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games. This was the first time I hosted a tent at these games for Clan Barclay. Helping me this weekend was my wife Lisa, and Chris Barkley, a distant cousin from North Carolina. Chris is a former athelete in the Scottish games. He has attended games and festivals for years, but this was the first time for him to work in a clan tent. The weather was good on Saturday, but a bit on the hot side in the afternoon. On Sunday is was cold and rainy. When it rains in Gatlinburg, Mills Park turns into a mud fest. Matt Newsome of the Scottish Tartan Museum took this photo of Chris and myself on Sunday.


We didn't meet any new Barclays this weekend. We did however meet several new friends from the internet forum www.xmarksthescot.com. To be honest, I was a bit disapointed in the way the clans were handled by the organizers. There was virtually no communication from the organizers after we sent in the application. We had to pay full price for admission and was not provided any programs or clan layouts. Maybe this was a fluke, but it sure wasn't what I've been used to.

I would also like to thank Faye Andrews for donating items for use in Clan Barclay tents. Her husband Doug passed away earlier this year. She decided to give the items so that they could continue to be used.

At the end of this month we will be heading to Glasgow, KY for the Glasgow Highland Games.
So come on down to the Barren River State Resort Park, May 30-31.

Celtic Fest Jackson, Tn

Yesterday was the Celtic Fest in Jackson, TN. For a small event, I had more fun than I thought I ever would. Lisa and I manned a tent for Clan Barclay. We actually had one person come up and say that his great, great, great grandmother was a Barclay from East Tennessee. We had lots of other visitors asking questions about their family names. Some I could help and others I could not.

There were only six or seven clans with tents, so those that were there were really busy. They had several vendors. Mostly local craftsmen, but there was one or two Scottish vendors. I didn't see anything new so I didn't purchase anything. I wasn't able to get down to listen to the entertainment, but I could hear them from the tent, especially Need Fire. There was another local group called Will Tell. They supposedly have a young girl in the group who is very musically talented. She plays several instruments with perfection.

I also got to meet some people from the internet forum xmarksthescot.com. A great bunch of guys. Most of them were from Memphis. But one came from Dickson, TN and another from near Huntsville, AL.

This was my last festival for the year. I'm already looking forward to next year. Making a list of new books to buy for the tent.

Until then I will fill my blog with projects or research or other interesting tidbits.

A fresh beginning

I've decided to re-work this blog and to turn it in to something that others might enjoy. As the vice president for Clan Barclay International, one of my duties is to promote the clan and its activities. My goal is to use this blog to do just that. I will report on my activities at different games and festivals surrounding Tennessee. From time to time I will do a little research on a subject that interests me. If I think others might gain from it, I will post it here as well.

Next Saturday, November 1st, 2008, I will be hosting a tent for Clan Barclay at the Celtic Fest in Jackson, TN. This is the third year for the event, but my first time there. It is put on by the Celtic Society of West Tennessee and goes to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Next year I plan to add a couple of new games to my list. I'm planning on hosting a tent at the games in Glasgow, KY and Gatlinburg, TN. I'll also be traveling to the Ohio Scottish Games for the Clan Barclay AGM. It will be held at the end of June. Stay tuned for further information on the AGM.

I will report back after the event in Jackson and maybe have some pictures to share.

Until next time,

Heath