An English Highland Gathering

[PEEDYC]

Ashbourne in Derbyshire in England is holding its 25th *** Highland gathering on 18th July. Last year was to be the 25th but was rained off so this year is 25 + 1. It has also been asked to host the English Pipe Band Championship 2010 as well as what is described as Heavyweights competitions, highland dancing and much more. Geoff Capes (for those who remember him) often attends and I understand still competes.

The town of Asbourne does us Scots proud by having a shop window dressing competition so most of the shops have a tartan or Scottish themed display.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are to hold a concert on the Saturday evening of the 17th. I went last year and it was great. I am only attending the games this year so hope the weather holds out and that we don't have a typical English summer of rain.

[cessna152towser]

Sorry I won't make it to this one.
l am planning to attend the other large English highland gathering at Harpenden next Sunday (11th). Chas is organising an Xmarksthescot tent there.
Yes I know Ashbourne would be less distance to travel from Scotland but Harpenden has the advantage that the venue is close to Luton airport so I can get there and back home in the same day.
I have heard good reports about the Ashbourne event, must make a weekend of it in some future year.

[OC Richard]

Over here in the USA, one never hears about Highland Games/Gatherings in England.

How common are they? Does every major region have its own Games like here in the USA, or are they more of a rarity?

I see from the Harpenden thread that they are the largest Games in the London area. Yes one would think that there would be a large number of Scots/people of Scots ancestry in the London region, enough to make a large Games feasible.

Would English Highland Games strike someone used to Highland Games in Scotland as being different in any way?

[rsvpiper]

All being well I'll be there with me trusty camera, the weather forecast for Saturday is good so with all things crossed it will be dry Sunday too. I will post up pictures if i can fathom out how to!

[cessna152towser]

Would English Highland Games strike someone used to Highland Games in Scotland as being different in any way?

The difference I noticed with Harpenden was the much larger crowds compared to the numbers who attend a similar sized games in Scotland. Harpenden does have the advantage of being situated in the densely populated south-east corner of England but I think another factor in England, as in Canada or USA, is that people who have Scottish ancestry but who live outwith Scotland will make the effort to attend Highland Games, while there seems to be little interest from native Scots in going to Highland Games unless friends or family are taking part in the dancing, athletics or pipe bands. Significantly, while games in Scotand need subsidies, the Harpenden gathering is profitable and raises a lot of money for charity.

[OC Richard]

Thanks, very interesting to know.

yes it seems that the ex-pats and their descendants are more gung-ho about this sort of thing oftentimes than the native Scots.