July 24, 2011
This post is about a lot more than just eating Haggis but for the purposes of my 101 Things to Do Before You Die list, I did actually check off something on my #7: Eat Exotic Foods. But more on that in a bit.
Here in North Carolina the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are held each year in July. There are various claims to who has the largest Scottish Highland Games but suffice to say that at 50,000 attendees, GMHG is one of the largest in the world (the largest games in Scotland “only” has about 20,000 attendees).
Alex and I, along with our friends Steve and Lydia, decided to attend this year’s games with Steve actually choosing to compete in the wrestling competition. Alex’s family owns a mountain house on a private mountain at which we were able to stay. The first day we were there, we went hiking on one of the trails on the mountain that led to some waterfalls. A year to almost the day, we again went skinny dipping, although this time it wasn’t for a world record. (By the way, they didn’t hold a Skinny Dipping event this year so our record from last year still stands!)
"The Blue Hole"
We arrived early the day of the Highland Games to make sure Steve would be registered to participate. All competitors must wear a kilt so Steve set about purchasing one at the many vendors selling all things Scottish. As Steve is Hungarian, he wasn’t particularly interested in finding a certain family’s tartan. He settled on one from the Carrot district in Ireland. Later in the day, Alex followed suit and bought one as well, although it was a “sport kilt” which just velcroes on as opposed to the very authentic kilt Steve had purchased (Outside of the major price difference-let’s say it was a car payment’s worth-Steve’s kilt was heavy-duty wool and used over 8 yards of fabric. The pleats go on for days and it’s a bit of a bear to get in and out of.) And before you think this strange, I’d estimate that about 75% of all men at the Highland Games were wearing kilts.
The boys hanging out in Downtown Boone
While we waited for the wrestling event start, we took in all the other sights. There were girls in Scottish dancing competitions and various other athletic events happening around the infield, like the stone toss and the sheaf toss. Tents around the infield represented many of the Scottish clans and bagpipes continuously played. (When we first arrived, Lydia and I were both enamored by the bagpipes. Six hours later it was all we could do to get away from the constant noise.)
Bagpipes playing with Grandfather Mountain in the background
At the appointed time, Steve made his way to the infield for the wrestling competition. Steve was somewhat older than many of the other competitors and although he had wrestled for many years, he had not done this particular style of wrestling. Apparently when he and Alex had “practiced” the night before, their strategy wasn’t appropriate for Scottish wrestling and Steve first faced a 4-time All-American Wrestler who had 6 inches, 20 pounds, and 10 fewer years on Steve. Steve lost. But, the guy that put him out of the competition went on to win, so there’s that. And at the end of the day, he had the guts to get into the ring of competition when many others wouldn’t and we’re proud of him for that.
After wrestling was done, we went seeking food and were happy to find Scottish cuisine in the way of meat pies, bridies, haggis, and various breads and pasties. I liked the bridie, the meat pie was ok, and the haggis…had a very strong flavor. It was ok, mostly tasted like liver mush or something like that. I didn’t mind it but a couple of bites sated my appetite.
Haggis
The athletic event I most wanted to watch was the caber toss and finally around 1pm they begun this competition. It was amazing to see these huge dudes lift up the equivalent of a telephone pole and heave it, trying to flip it over. We never saw anyone manage to flip it over but it was still fun to watch.
Caber toss
Even in the mountains it was quite warm and after hours in the baking sun, we took our leave of the Games. That evening we went into Downtown Boone, a very fun little mountain town I’ve enjoyed visiting in the past, and the boys enjoyed wearing their kilts around town.
So have you tried haggis before? Attended a similar cultural event with competitions and the like?
147.6/-15.8
I tried haggis for the first time a couple of months ago. I don’t know how traditional it was as it was from my local fish and chip shop, however I did enjoy it. I would love to go to Scotland and try it there and maybe even try on a kilt!
Yeah, I don’t know how necessarily authentic this was, but I’ll count it!
Haggis looks…gross…like a hairball on fries.
Lol, yeah, it definitely wasn’t very attractive.
Ick…what a waste of perfectly good crinkle fries! I admire you for trying it though. Glad your world record still holds! I’m trying myself to get in the Guinness World Record Book next Sunday!
Ooooh! I can’t wait to hear about your Record attempt! And don’t worry, there were plenty of fries that hadn’t touched the haggis.
I’m such a wuss when it comes to trying new foods. I have a horrible gag reflex and as soon as something foreign touches my tongue I start getting sick. (Lovely, eh?) Knowing what is in Haggis is enough for me to stay away!
I just didn’t think about it. My problem is that if it LOOKS gross, I can’t eat it.
The GMHG looks pretty good fun, and I’ll be sure to check out the Scotland equivalent!
I first tried haggis at a Burns dinner at my house, everyone contributed with the cooking, but it was the Scottish lass that cooked up the haggis. It was pretty darn tasty! I made sure to have some the following year as well!
Even if the games in Scotland are smaller, I’m sure the original is better!
I have nothing intelligent to say, other than I love this whole post.
OK, I am apparently deficient in all things Scottish. I’ve never tried Haggis or heard of these games. But I love Craig Ferguson and I’m learning Spanish on a Scottish podcast so that’s got to give me some credit right?
Great post and what a fun way to spend a weekend!
How are you learning Spanish on a Scottish podcast?!