Why so serious?

[St. Amish]

In California, I regularly see guys carrying claymores over shoulder at the Games. It looks ridiculous.

We also have a large guy who dresses like a half naked Viking and one who dresses like Capt. Jack Sparrow.

Any time you have a large group of people, there will be someone acting out and looking for attention. When you have a large group of people who are already out of the "norm," the act has to be even more extreme in order to get attention.

[Jack Daw]

I bring this up because of the first picture in Jack Daw's Burns Supper photos.

In the haggis procession for our thing, there is always a claymore bearer. It's meant to be taken humorously, though, not seriously.

[Jack Daw]

Do you know, I don't recall seeing anyone like that at any of the Highland games that I have been to.

There was a Viking and a couple of "ancient" Scots at the Taynuilt Highland Games in July 2008. They were locals and not Americans.

[Jack Daw]

I've never been to a "Burns Supper" but I've seen these guy at the Richmond Va. games as well. Maybe. Here they are usually accompanied by another guy with a bottle of single malt. They usually offer the entertainers a wee dram before heading somewhere else. Perhaps, it is some kind of "secret order'? Maybe the "Order of The Claymore", or "The Single Malt, Claymore carrying Society".

That's what we do. The whisky is somewhere, maybe on the table.

[beloitpiper]

Now, I'm not talking about reenactors that have swords with historical purpose. I'm talking about the guys wearing the raggéd PC outfit with a huge feather in the caps, carrying an over sized claymore as if a ninja is going to jump in and steal the haggis. There's an 'honor guard' at all of the events in Wisconsin that parades around with flags and swords and it makes me laugh. Why is there such a stupid macho attitude at all of these Scottish events? Yes, clan have a war-torn past and the Scots are certainly fearless warriors, but at a civilian function, shouldn't we be acting civil?

[macwilkin]

Now, I'm not talking about reenactors that have swords with historical purpose. I'm talking about the guys wearing the raggéd PC outfit with a huge feather in the caps, carrying an over sized claymore as if a ninja is going to jump in and steal the haggis. There's an 'honor guard' at all of the events in Wisconsin that parades around with flags and swords and it makes me laugh. Why is there such a stupid macho attitude at all of these Scottish events? Yes, clan have a war-torn past and the Scots are certainly fearless warriors, but at a civilian function, shouldn't we be acting civil?

Greg,

A haggis "escort" at a Burns Supper is supposed to be "tongue-in-cheek", as the Address is itself. The reason for this part of the ceremony is Burns referring to the lowly Haggis as the "Great Chieftain o' the puddin' race", as I mentioned before.

As far as honour guards and parties go, I find your comments somewhat ironic, considering you're a member of a pipe band, which is an institution which is very military in origin.

I've seen some very well done honour/colour parties, and some very bad ones.

T.

[skauwt]

thankfully if they try that in Scotland now they`ll just get huckeld into the back of a paddy wagon ,
carrying any weapon is illegal and that especially goes for those whopping claymores
unless they are actors doing a fighting show then as sad as it may sound if i saw someone in this country jumping about with a weapon like that at games just for the hell of it id have no worries in letting the local bobbies know

[rocscotjoe]

I was the "sword bearer" for our Burns Dinner last weekend, and we played it for laughs as much as for ceremony. I carried a nice baskethilt sword owned by our President (who was the quaiche bearer) and then I was singled out as the "haggis fed rustic" during the address...it was all in fun and I doubt anyone took offense at our procession.

The festivals I have been to here in New York have their share of folks suffering Renaissance Festival hangovers, and they tend to be dressed and "in character" more often than not...

[piperdbh]

And while we're on the subject, why do some Games attenders insist on painting their faces blue?

[davidlpope]

I concur with the distinction discussed above:

1. Mock "sword-bearing escorts" that accompany the piper and the presentation of the haggis at a Burns Supper.

OR

2. Bizarrely dressed folks who think that a Highland Games is a chance to channel their inner "Conan" and let their freak flag fly. I have to say that it is really amazing and ridiculous what you see at American Highland Games: pirates, fairies, Vikings, barbarians, half highland clansman/half Native American warrior, etc. For some reason, people seem to think that Highland Games are a cross between Halloween, a Star Trek convention, and the Renaissance Fair...

Cordially,

David