Maine Ulster-Scots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Members of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project will be presenting two workshops at the Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, Maine this weekend.

John T. Mann, Chair of the Project, and Bill McKeen, former President of the Saint Andrews Society of Maine and MUSP contributor, will be talking about “The Scots’ Trail To Maine”, focusing on the Border Reivers historical connection to Maine and New England. A second workshop, “The Blood Is Strong; Researching Your Scottish Ancestry”, will be presented by Dianne Bergstedt FSA Scot, MUSP web mistress and generational historian.

In addition to presenting the workshop, John T. Mann is the author of “Ulster-Scots on the Coast of Maine, Volume 1”. Prior to beginning his presentation, he will be presenting two signed copies of his book to Megan Pinette of the Belfast Historical Society and Museum for the Society’s library.

MUSP is sponsored by the Saint Andrews Society of Maine. It explores the struggle of the Ulster-Scots against religious and governmental persecution, their strong reliance on self and family, and the founding of a radically new independent country.

The workshops will be held at the Steamboat Landing in Belfast and will begin at 6pm on Friday, July 18, and Sunday, July 20 at 3pm.

More information is available at the website of the Maine Ulster Scots or by contacting:

John T. Mann
207-353-9047
John@maineulsterscots.com

By the way, the Maine Celtic Celebration is sporting a brand new website and it is spectacular!

Slainte,
Dianne

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Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival

The Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival is being held this Saturday, May 17, 2008. This year they are celebrating their 10th anniversary.

This year's scheduled performers are:
ALASDAIR FRASER and NATALIE HAAS
CHARLIE ZAHM
CELTIC HARP CIRCLE
RATHKELTAÍR
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS

A special event this year is a fiddle workshop with Alasdair Fraser. Learn more about that here.

Visit the Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival website here.
More Highland Games events can be found on the Highland Games Calendar, located at the top of the Links column on this page.

Slainte,
Dianne

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Historic Highlanders

If you've ever wondered what life was like in the Scottish Highlands in the years between the Battles of Bannockburn and Culloden, the folks of the Historic Highlanders can not only tell you, they can show you. These folks are "Living History" at its very best.

Based in New Hampshire, the Historic Highlanders are a cultural and educational organization that preserves authentic Scottish heritage by researching and recreating elements of everyday life of Highland society from 1314 to 1746 and sharing that information through public lectures and demonstrations. They can be seen at most, if not all, of the Highland Games and Scottish Festivals in the New England region, including the Maine Highland Games.

When attending a Highland Games, they set up an encampment and live as "historic" Highlanders for the duration of the Games. During the course of the day, you can stop by their camp watch them in action. Questions are encouraged and you'll likely get impromptu lessons on how to wear the Great Kilt and how a Highlander properly cares for his sword.

For more information, visit the website of the Historic Highlanders.


Slainte,
Dianne

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A Primer For Your First Highland Games

The first time you attend a Highland Games or Scottish Festival you will be delighted and inspired by the sights and sounds that accompany such a gathering. Delighted and inspired, but maybe not as prepared as you would like to be.

Highland gatherings are different from any other type of outdoors event, and as such require a different sort of preparation.

The verra canny folks over at Clan Cunningham have compiled a comprehensive list of FAQ's for the first-timers.

It's a readable, practical and good-humored approach to your first Highland Games.

You can read it here.

Moran Taing to Clan Cunningham.

Slainte,
Dianne

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Celebration of Celts Festival of Music, Dance & History

If you should fancy a drive to New York this weekend, May 3rd and May 4th, you should visit the Celebration of Celts Festival. Held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, NY, this is a two-day event celebrating not only the Celts but the fifth anniversary of the festival in 2008.

This year's entertainment features the Barra MacNeils and Enter the Haggis, along with several other top-notch performers.

The pipe competition looks like a hoot; check out "Piping Outside the Box".

Their website has a page devoted to the history of Heavy Athletics here.

Click here for their fabulous article on the East Coast Celts (US).

The festival flyer can be downloaded (PDF) here.

Visit the website of the Celebration of Celts Festival.

You can find other New England Highland Games and Festivals by clicking the Highland Games Calendar link located at the top of the Links column.

Slainte,
Dianne

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