My Scottish blood got to sing today, and rejoice in the soulful sound of bagpipes, in neighboring Oklahoma. Greg and I joined my sisters, nieces, nephews and their children at the Oklahoma Scotfest 2018, in Broken Arrow.
OK Scotfest
This annual event, which draws more than 25,000 participants, is a celebration of Celtic heritage, music and history. The festival features Scottish clans, set up in booths, athletic competitions, drum and pipe bands, Scottish and American food, and vendors selling a variety of Scottish wares. Traditional folk music as well as Scotrock is performed throughout the three days of the event, in stages set up in tents.
For the first time my Scottish clan, the Maitland Clan, set up a booth. My family and I had the pleasure of meeting another clan member, Annette. We enjoyed chatting and getting to know her.
Photos from Scotfest
Here are highlights from the fun day:
The clan tartans on display.
Doing genealogy research, Greg has discovered a Scottish connection to the Buchanan Clan.
We enjoyed watching border collies compete to herd sheep. The dogs respond to whistled commands from their owners.
Look at these cuties! Weston and Lola arrived in kilts.
These handsome boys purchased their kilts at the event. Later Ethan and Kaleb wore their kilts to a Cub Scouts meeting and used the experience as a teaching opportunity to explain what a kilt is.
Athletes from around the world competed in Highland games.
Pipers and drummers preparing to perform. I absolutely love the sound of bagpipes.
The band Wicked Tinkers performs in the main tent.
Scotfest Opportunities
The festival provided wonderful opportunities to step into Scottish culture, in the middle of the US, and learn more about my heritage. It was especially fun to share the day with family and make new friends.
I loved the busy and rowdy atmosphere, the many colorful tartans on display, and the ever present wail of bagpipes. That sound stirs a deep response in my soul and calls to me. It is an invitation to return home, to Scotland.
Soon, I whisper. Soon.
