What features make a clan tent appealing and engaging

[scabd]

As a frequent kilt wearer and Scotophile tragic, I am most interested in celebrating my Scottish heritage and regularly attend Scottish Gatherings in Australia. As I visit the various clan tents, I see people who have gone to a lot of trouble to make their displays appealing, engaging, interactive and informative, and others that are less public focussed. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Gatherings in Australia conduct clan tent competitions but I’ve heard that this is a fairly common feature of USA Gatherings.

Clearly, clan tents can be overdone with bling and others can be thoroughly boring. I wonder if anyone has researched what features make a clan tent appealing and engaging. I further wonder what are the criteria used to judge clan tents and to what extent it matches what the research says is appealing and engaging.

Regards,
Steve Buchanan
Sydney

[Chas]

We don't get many clan tents here in the UK, but from my experience of visiting and also running the XMarks tent, I have got to say it is the people. A smile and a welcome go far further than any display.

Regards

Chas

[scabd]

Hi Chas,
I agree that a smile and a genuine welcome go a long way. I would like to think that all the clan tents offer this as a given (but I know I'm being optimistic with this expectation). I guess, I was asking what in addition to a smile and a genuine welcome, attract and engage people. Further, I was interested in the empirical research which might have been done on this topic and whether this translated into the criteria by which clan tents are judged.

Cheers,
Steve

[Downunder Kilt]

There are a number of members on this forum who convene clan tents at games and I am sure that they will chime in when they see the thread.
For myself I like to see the clans various tartans, a brief history of the clan, someone who can talk about the clan. I was at a mates clan tent just 2 weeks ago and some chinese visitors were asking general questions about the kilt and clans, so a knowledge of kilts and clans in general in always hepfull. Some books on the clans, tartans and Scotland always go over well. Also maps, a general one of Scotland showing the various clan lands, battle sites etc. Usually you can find some kind of weapon, a broadsword, targe, dirk etc.

As Chas said people love a smile and hello

[bdkilted]

I agree with Chas, but in addition to Downunder's comments, I would suggest that you get pictures of the castles that are related to your clan. As a Keith, I have pictures of Dunnottar and Inverugie. I also have a picture of Marischal College in Aberdeen which was started by one of the Earl Marischals. I try to keep some of our clan newsletters available for folks who may want to join. Finally we try to keep something with our current chief's crest on it that we can give away. People really like free stuff. We print off the crest on card stock and then make book marks and fans (using wooden popsicle sticks). Finally I keep "Kith N Kin" book to look up the clans of others who stop by our tent. Of course this is all in addition to the tables with tartan, and other stuff just to pretty it up. Hope this helps.

[Harold Cannon]

Here are the pictures from my tent this year. I also had Scott MacMillan there and he is like gold in a clan tent.

[chewse]

Don't forget about a wee dram of Scotch for your clan tent guests...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Here are the pictures from my tent this year. I also had Scott MacMillan there and he is like gold in a clan tent.

I think Harold meant to type "old" not gold! An interesting display of items -- and not necessarily clan specific items -- is always a major plus in any clan tent. Believe it or not, an antique golf club is just about as interesting as a replica dirk to most folks attending your local games, especially if you can some how link it to something to do with your clan, even if it's only your annual Clan Society golf outing.

[Grizzly]

We don't get many clan tents here in the UK, but from my experience of visiting and also running the XMarks tent, I have got to say it is the people. A smile and a welcome go far further than any display.

Regards

Chas

Having personally experienced Chas's hospitality at last years Harpenden highland gathering it was a pleasure to meet other xmarkers. Chas made us all feel welcome and made us all feel like old friends although it was the first time many of us had met.

So in my view it is less of what is on display but more the warm welcome and camaraderie expressed by the people manning the stand that make a successful and welcoming Clan tent.

[Laird_M]

I'd whole heartedly concur with Grizzly!
It was a delight to meet Chas, spend some time chatting to him, and looking at the kilts he had on display. Being able to examine kilts of varying quality and material also made it much easier to plan future purchases.
The wife enjoyed looking through the books he had there as well.