Flora Macdonald Highland Games

Weekend brings out Scots and UNCP community

By Lesley Covington
Staff Writer

UNCP students, faculty and staff celebrated Scottish heritage with 30 Scottish clans at the 2005 Flora Macdonald Highland Games.

The games began Oct. 1 at the Flora Macdonald Academy soccer field with the Color Guard leading three pipe bands: St. Andrews College, Jamestown and N.C. State University. The Tartans paraded in distinguishing their clans with unique banners and kilts.

Both amateur and professional athletes competed in the stone throw, weight throw, hammer throw, turning the caber and tossing the sheaf.

The turning of the caber is an event in which the competitor tosses a 21-foot pole that weighs 110 pounds.

Attendee Lynn Chason explained the event to her son.

"They take the telephone pole and flip it end over end to see how many times they can flip it," she said.

Mike Nease had the first full turn of the day in the event.

Photo by Ariel Houchens Piper William Caudill led the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans processional Sunday morning at the Red Springs Presbyterian Church.

The tossing of the sheaf is a traditional Scottish game where a tire-sized bale of hay is tossed up from a pitchfork over a set of ropes that look like a goalpost.

Eric Fraser, from Greenville, N.C., and a student at Eastern Carolina University, won Amateur Athlete of the Day.

Larry Brock, from Charlotte, N.C., took the title of Professional Athlete of the Day.

Donald Thomas, from Jackson Springs, N.C., demonstrated sheep herding with his two Border Collies, Bell and Annie.

A total of 42 dancers and 43 pipers competed throughout the day. Megan Kimsey from Cary, N.C., won the title of Dancer of the Day and Bill Caudill from Laurinburg, N.C., was named Piper of the Day.

Pre-game Warm Up

The weekend festival began Sept. 30 with a Celtic music festival buffet and dinner at the Flora Macdonald Auditorium and Dining Hall. The performers for the evening were pianist Greg McCallum, soprano Margaret Pate Mcloed and harpist Christine Van Arsdale.

Kirkin' o' the Tartans

The Tartans were dressed to the kilt again Oct. 2 for the Kirkin' o' the Tartans at the Red Springs Presbyterian Church. The ceremony, an ancient Scottish tradition, is an annual event in which the clans rededicate their families to God.

The clans with banners in hand, were led into the church by piper William Caudill.

NCP was represented at the Kirkin' by three UNCP faculty. Trumpeter Tim Altman, timbanist Toby Carter and soprano Gail Morfesis contributed their musical abilities during the service.