Loch Norman/Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

[RockyMount'sClanBrown]

Clan Brown in Rocky Mount, NC is catching the fever and we are all planning to attend both the Loch Norman and Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year. We are all planning to camp but, I understand that the camp sites are first come first served. There will be about 40 of us showing up and I want to be sure we are all together. How quickly do the sites fill up for these events? I want to know how early we will have to show up to set up camp. Looking for some help on this one from someone that has attended as a camper. Thanks for any suggestions that you can provide.

Jerry

[Kiltedmusiclover]

First off, Welcome to Xmarks!
Are all 40 of your group going to be Camping?? If it were me and that was the case I would be
there by Sunday July the 5th at Grandfather. Camping will open on Friday the July 3rd.
Setting up an area big enough for 8 to 10 tents will need to be early on.

The tent camping area does not fill up at the first of the week usually but by
Wed. it will pick up greatly.

We call the tent area Tarp City.
You need one for the bottom and one to go above your tent. Grandfather can
be quite wet at times.

[turpin]

I'll be there, camping in MacVillage.

[RockyMount'sClanBrown]

Thanks for the welcome. Just joined tonight and this was my first post.

There will be about 30 of us camping but, 10 of those are kids. At the moment we are planning to set of camp Tuesday. I wish I could make it a week but, just can't pull that one off. I am hoping that we will scoot in a little before the crowd by going Tuesday instead of Wednesday. Do you think we will be able to get a reasonable spot for 6 or seven tents if we are there by Tuesday afternoon?

I am planning to participate in the wrestling as well. Are there normally a good number of participants? I am 225lbs and it sounds like I may end up in an open weight class.

I understand from talking with my uncles who attended last year that Clan Brown has not been represented in years past. Hopefully we will be able to find some more Browns wondering about. I guess we need to make sure we have a banner. My uncle mentioned a "call of the clans". Is that something we need to register to participate in?

[Kiltedmusiclover]

.............. Do you think we will be able to get a reasonable spot for 6 or seven tents if we are there by Tuesday afternoon?

You should be fine if you get there on Tuesday.
Just make sure to get your registration and money sent
in as soon as you can. You can do it on line at this link
https://www.ktti.com/campingsecureorderform2008.htm

I am planning to participate in the wrestling as well. Are there normally a good number of participants? I am 225lbs and it sounds like I may end up in an open weight class.

I would talk to some of the other wrestlers at the Loch Norman Games to find out about this. Especially if you
talk to a fellow who goes by the name Mad Max. He used to help run
the wrestling at Grandfather.

.........
My uncle mentioned a "call of the clans". Is that something we need to register to participate in?

Your clan will need to register with Grandfather Games.
I think there is a fee for the clan to be a part of the games and
have a tent. For all the particulars on this I would
call them at 828-733-1333.

Even if your clan does not have a "formal" presence there is plenty of
stuff you can do and being able to wrestle or compete is not
tied to your clan’s participation.

[MacMoose]

Clan Brown in Rocky Mount, NC is catching the fever and we are all planning to attend both the Loch Norman and Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year. We are all planning to camp but, I understand that the camp sites are first come first served. There will be about 40 of us showing up and I want to be sure we are all together. How quickly do the sites fill up for these events? I want to know how early we will have to show up to set up camp. Looking for some help on this one from someone that has attended as a camper. Thanks for any suggestions that you can provide.

Jerry

Take heed of the good advice already given about Grandfather, and also be aware that there are two sides to the campground. One side if a family side, where there is an 11 pm curfew for noise and rroaring campfires. The other side is less restricitve, but also a there is lot more noise! Not much sleep to be had there, if you are planning on an early morning on field. I also camp at MacVillage (which is on the family side) and we have the best of both worlds. You can always walk over (and stumble back) to the rowdy side, and still get some shut-eye on the quieter side.

As for Loch Norman, the camping is a first-come, first-serve affair, and it is just an open field, you should have no problem keeping your group together, but it is worth checking ahead, and the earlier you get there, the better choices you have (good advice for both Games, actually).

There will be postings closer to the dates of both Games, where we will be arranging meeting places and such, keep an eye out for that. Several of us represent our clans at the Games.

The House of Lumsden is looking forward to welcoming the Browns!

[MacMoose]

Clan Brown in Rocky Mount, NC is catching the fever and we are all planning to attend both the Loch Norman and Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year. We are all planning to camp but, I understand that the camp sites are first come first served. There will be about 40 of us showing up and I want to be sure we are all together. How quickly do the sites fill up for these events? I want to know how early we will have to show up to set up camp. Looking for some help on this one from someone that has attended as a camper. Thanks for any suggestions that you can provide.

Jerry

BTW, Jerry, are you aware of the Games held at Mint Hill, March 28/29? Mint Hill is just E of Charlotte, right on I-485. They are a much smaller Games than the other two, but well worth attending (especially with Rathkeltair performing on Friday night!) Sadly, there is no camping facilities, but there are campgrounds nearby, or a hotel if you want to splurge.

[RockyMount'sClanBrown]

I will definately be camping on the quiet side and stumbling home from the party side. That sounds like a much better plan to me. I am past that part of my life when I felt like I needed to party until sunrise. Been there, done that, got the brand to show for it.

Thanks for directing me to Mad Max. I will talk with him for pointers on the wrestling. That should be very helpful.

Mint Hill sounds fun but, I probably will not be able to make it to three events so close together. My wife has not gotten as excited about these events as some of the rest of us. I think my 7 year old son may have hurt her feelings when he told her that our ancestors kicked the crap out of her ancestors. He didn't want to hear the part about how he was half me and half his mother. I tried to explain to him that he should be more sensitive to the geneologically challenged but, he just looked at me funny, yelled FREEEEEDOM! and took off across the front yard, waving a stick over his head. He's kind of into the whole William Wallace thing. He was a little peaved about the beheading thing and really didn't take too kindly to the spreading of the body parts.

[MacMoose]

I will definately be camping on the quiet side and stumbling home from the party side. That sounds like a much better plan to me. I am past that part of my life when I felt like I needed to party until sunrise. Been there, done that, got the brand to show for it.

Thanks for directing me to Mad Max. I will talk with him for pointers on the wrestling. That should be very helpful.

Mint Hill sounds fun but, I probably will not be able to make it to three events so close together. My wife has not gotten as excited about these events as some of the rest of us. I think my 7 year old son may have hurt her feelings when he told her that our ancestors kicked the crap out of her ancestors. He didn't want to hear the part about how he was half me and half his mother. I tried to explain to him that he should be more sensitive to the geneologically challenged but, he just looked at me funny, yelled FREEEEEDOM! and took off across the front yard, waving a stick over his head. He's kind of into the whole William Wallace thing. He was a little peaved about the beheading thing and really didn't take too kindly to the spreading of the body parts.

Now if THAT doesn't make your chest puff out a bit and bring a tear to your eye....

Does anyone know the status of Mad Max? I haven't seen him much of late, and I had heard rumors of ill health. I hope those rumors are false!

[sharpdressedscot]

BTW, Jerry, are you aware of the Games held at Mint Hill, March 28/29? Mint Hill is just E of Charlotte, right on I-485. They are a much smaller Games than the other two, but well worth attending (especially with Rathkeltair performing on Friday night!) Sadly, there is no camping facilities, but there are campgrounds nearby, or a hotel if you want to splurge.

About how far away from Charlotte? I might make it.