What features make a clan tent appealing and engaging

[masonpiper]

you are right, I am rightly chatised,.
I like the examples shown here, your's and Harold's, I do like the way you can walk in to Harold's, hard to do with any size, but it removes a barrier from the conversation. I would add a carpet, they are can be had cheap even in larger sizes and can hold down dust, wet and make your space very inviting

[Carl]

Well if you want a ton of people to stop by your tent for photo ops and that circus/yard sale feel you'll need a canopy or two with maybe some cardboard or plywood castle turrets for the corners, Christmas tree lights (Ooooh Shiny), a few folding tables, chairs, and a ice chest, a bundle of flags w/ poles & tartan table cloths, a pile of Scottish replica weapons, shields and/or targs, generic armor pieces too, some stereotypical pictures of castles/ thistle/ bagpippers/ Stonehenge (your average American wont know better)/ haggis/ etc., a caber (why not?), maybe a couple books and a boombox playing bagpipe music or enya, oh and a moving truck to carry all that cr*p and a couple hours to set it all up.

I remember one year on the East Coast I mistook my Clan's tent for one of those traveling weapons merchent tents that seem to stalk the Highland Games so much here in the U.S. lol.

Honestly the things I've always found most important is a nice large sign identifying wich Clan you are, a large readable list of Clan Sept Names, brochures with a brief history of the Clan, and friendly helpful knowledgeable folks that want to be there. Photo albums from trips to Scotland can be a nice touch too.

Theres already more than enough William Wallace Swords and Highlander Katanas in the merchant tents and being carried around by SCA & Ren Fair people. Give it a rest.

[David Thorpe]

Two things...

By far the most popular items we have used are a large "clan map" of Scotland, displayed on an easel outside the tent, a book of surname origins and a three-volume set of tartans with a color plate of each. People approach the map looking for their clan, we help them find the origin of the surname in question, and sometimes are able to show them what "their" tartan looks like. This process most often has nothing to do with our clan directly, but after some conversation they leave feeling like they have learned something about their heritage. I have enjoyed this process a great deal, over and over.

Secondly, something for the kids. In addition to the ink stamp for their "passport" that some Games provide, we have used a hobby horse that they can "ride", stuffed plush kilted dolls, coos and sheep that they can pick up, and a game with small molded models of various animals - red stag, Highland coos, Scot terriers, Shetland ponies, etc., displayed on a scenic Highland layout - all native to Scotland except one, which the kids are invited to identify (a German Shepherd dog for the older kids, and an elephant for the wee ones). Candy or cookies are another draw for them.

I have never viewed clan tent hosting as primarily a recruiting activity for our clan association. If a kinsman unfamiliar with and curious about the association happens by, we try to provide the information they want. They are made to feel welcome (as are all visitors) and invited, but never pushed, to join us if they wish.

Tables and displays are arranged for easy, open access along side walls, with lots of extra seating for those who wish to rest and/or visit for a while. A cooler of bottled water, and sometimes some light snacks are handy as well.

I would also add that I enjoy visiting the tents of others as well, meeting and visiting with the hosts, and often picking up some bit of history related to their clans.

[Wolfhound Jack]

Well, for what it's worth, I think this is a brilliant thread - both the anecdotes of the good and the rants of the bad are providing good insight.

[creagdhubh]

Two things...

By far the most popular items we have used are a large "clan map" of Scotland, displayed on an easel outside the tent, a book of surname origins and a three-volume set of tartans with a color plate of each. People approach the map looking for their clan, we help them find the origin of the surname in question, and sometimes are able to show them what "their" tartan looks like. This process most often has nothing to do with our clan directly, but after some conversation they leave feeling like they have learned something about their heritage. I have enjoyed this process a great deal, over and over.

Secondly, something for the kids. In addition to the ink stamp for their "passport" that some Games provide, we have used a hobby horse that they can "ride", stuffed plush kilted dolls, coos and sheep that they can pick up, and a game with small molded models of various animals - red stag, Highland coos, Scot terriers, Shetland ponies, etc., displayed on a scenic Highland layout - all native to Scotland except one, which the kids are invited to identify (a German Shepherd dog for the older kids, and an elephant for the wee ones). Candy or cookies are another draw for them.

I have never viewed clan tent hosting as primarily a recruiting activity for our clan association. If a kinsman unfamiliar with and curious about the association happens by, we try to provide the information they want. They are made to feel welcome (as are all visitors) and invited, but never pushed, to join us if they wish.

Tables and displays are arranged for easy, open access along side walls, with lots of extra seating for those who wish to rest and/or visit for a while. A cooler of bottled water, and sometimes some light snacks are handy as well.

I would also add that I enjoy visiting the tents of others as well, meeting and visiting with the hosts, and often picking up some bit of history related to their clans.

***

And I have been a guest at your tent (Clan MacTavish), David. Tis a fine one indeed!

Best wishes,

[MizzouScotsman]

Here are some pictures of the Clan Donald (Missouri) tent - It's a rather large tent (3 10' x 10' tents together) - We have a table of educational books for people to look at, lots of maps and clan associated items on the walls. A large board of Clan Donald tartans and our eye catching weapons display (that's me giving a talk on the different weapons of the period) The state commissioner and me (deputy state commissioner) are not seated very much as we are up and talking with everyone. By the end of the weekend, my feet are ready to fall off.