Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Highland Games

Every year my family and I attend the Highland Games Festival in Clay County Florida. It's a jolly gathering celebrating Scottish heritage and includes many activities you'll nevvver find anywhere else like archery, axe throwing, caber tossing and fiddle competitions (to name a few). Among the unusual activities you'll also find some interesting cuisine such as homemade scones, hazlenut pastries (pictured), strawberries and clotted cream, and of course there's always the hearty staples like a scotch egg (seasoned meat wrapped around an egg) and of course, haggis (a savory pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and simmered) mmm just like mama used to make. Probably my favorite part of the games is the parade of the clans. People come nation wide to walk with their families tartan and enter the area. There is something so cool about being so a part of your culture (or even witnessing someone else's) and it's been something I look forward to every year. To know more information, or if you want to join in this festive event click here








Scottish cows, we call them "emo" cows because of their long bangs.

Bakery with authentic baked goods...




Scotch egg...


Ax throwing competition...

This guy is my hero!

2 comments :

  1. We are only "honorary Scots" because my daughter has been a Highland dancer for 12 years. :) Highland games are great fun! You can keep the haggis (though I do have a spoonful each year on Robert Burn's night) but the scones and other baked goods are lovely.

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  2. That's awesome that your daughter dances! I look forward to it every year, it's such a festive gathering and it seems like it's getting more and more crowded with each passing year! I am glad to see people enjoying it as much as I do :)

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