21 st Annual Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games April 12-13, 2014

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1 Special Bulletin - April 2014 Huntersville, North Carolina st Annual Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games April 12-13, 2014 Get all the details, times, tickets, and all the information you need for the 21 st Annual Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games at our newly launched website The history of our Festival and Highland Games is steeped in the Loch Norman tradition, and we felt it only fitting to launch a website that honors the heritage of this beloved event and the members who had the vision to begin it 21 years ago. The Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games is a weekend of live traditional and Celtic rock music, over 65 Scottish clans and their representatives, genealogy searches, Piping, Drumming, and Highland Dancing sanctioned competitions, Scottish country dancing, massed band performances, professional heavy athletics, and the popular Saturday night Celtic Jam. Join in for the amateur heavy athletics, long bow competition, battle axe competition, as well as demonstrations, whiskey seminars, the Kids Zone with children s activities, and Rural Hill s famous historic encampment. Read on in this Special Bulletin and then visit us online to purchase tickets and for more event details! Photo courtesy of Donna Norman

2 Traditional and Celtic Rock Music Performances will be held throughout the Scottish Festival including the Saturday Night Concert at the Celtic Rock Stage beginning at 6:30 PM. There will also be massed Pipe Band performances on Saturday and Sunday as well as individual pipers and drummers in sanctioned competition. The story of Seven Nations is that of a truly original and determined band based in Orlando, Florida. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music...this is a band that has invented its own sound and attracted a prodigious national and international following. With a passionate, tender, and rollicking style that winningly veers from roots and folk to dance and fusion-rock, Seven Nations has earned a growing reputation as an adventurous band with a charismatic stage presence. From Central Scotland and Fife, the ancient Celtic Kingdom of Scotland, Saor Patrol and their unique sound of Scotland in the 21st century, brings together the sounds of the past into the present. The energy they share with their audience during a performance, with their vibrant pipe tunes and drum rhythms, pleases and excites many a crowd from all walks of life. Ed Miller has been hailed as one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish Folksong Revival and as one of Scotland s best singing exports. Originally from Edinburgh, he is now based in Austin where he gained graduate degrees in Folklore and Geography at the University of Texas. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Jil Chambless now resides in Tuscaloosa and has played an active role in the Celtic music scene for more than 20 years. As singer and flute and whistle player, Jil has completed many recording projects and performed at Celtic festivals and concerts across the US as well as in Canada, Scotland, and Israel with the band Henri s Notions, guitarist Scooter Muse, Scottish singer Ed Miller, Scottish fiddler John Taylor, the band Vulcan Eejits!, the Vogt Family Contra Band, and others. Continued...

3 Traditional and Celtic Rock Music Winner of countless banjo competitions throughout the southeast including the Tennessee Valley Championships 8 times, Scooter Muse has played with bluegrass legends, Clair Lynch, Vassar Clements and a host of others as well as handling first call banjo duties for the world famous Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording industry. He founded the Full Moon Ensemble, who achieved national recognition, toured the US and Canada as well as Scotland, and recorded 5 critically acclaimed CDs. After a successful 8 year run, the FME went their separate ways and Scooter was drafted as the guitar player for the longest running Celtic band in the south, Henri s Notions. The Notions have appeared with such great artists as Bob Dylan, Paddy Obrien, Patrick Street, Brian McNeill and countless others. John Taylor is a fiddler and composer from Buckie in Scotland and a past winner of the Niel Gow award for Scottish fiddling. Taylor is well known in Scottish country dance circles having appeared in many parts of the world including the USA, Canada, New Zealand and various parts of the UK. He has recorded specific country dance music CDs with Andrew Imbrie and has often appeared with Texas-based folk singer, Ed Miller. In a review of their first collaboration, The Edinburgh Rambler, the Austin American-Statesman called Taylor brilliant. Thistledown Tinkers, the powerful music duo featuring Trip Rogers and Tom Eure, are not the fragile, romanticized Celtic music you hear in movie soundtracks, but the kind that makes you sing along and stomp your feet. These seasoned music veterans from NC, weave traditional Scottish and Irish music with original creations while adding a southern swagger that sets the stage on fire. With an impressive arsenal of instruments including guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, and concertina, musicianship is at the core of Thistledown Tinkers. Their stage presence creates a rebel rousing party that not only draws fans in, but makes them feel like a part of the show.

4 Scottish Heavy Athletics The traditional Scottish athletic competitions called the Heavy Events include stone throws, weight throws, hammer throws, caber toss, sheaf toss, and similar traditional feats of strength. Professional athletic competition will be Saturday, with Class A amateur heavy athletic competition on Saturday and the remaining amateur classes competing on Sunday. Professional athletic demonstrations will also take place on Sunday. Note: Professional athletes are by invitation only. Highland Games are a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes and the kilt. Scottish Country Dancing Friday Evening Scottish Country Welcome Dance At Hopewell Presbyterian Church Gallery: $5, Participant: $25 Saturday Evening Scottish Country Dancing Gala At Hopewell Presbyterian Church Gallery: $5, Participant: $25 See world ranked professional athletes including Eric Frasure, who set a world record at Rural Hill after throwing a 20 lb sheaf 36 1!

5 Rural Hill, Inc. Board of Directors Robert G. McIntosh, Chair Jim Puckett, Vice Chair Sam Fuller, Secretary Brent Lewis, Treasurer Maurice D. McIntosh Sarah Belk Gambrell Sarah McAulay Royce Hagaman Beth Eakes Martina John Cherry Henry Mummaw LD Bass Staff Jeff Fissel, Executive Director Welcome Clan Campbell - Distiguished Guests The Clan Campbell Society of North America is holding its Annual Gathering Meeting in Charlotte specifically designed to coincide with Rural Hill s Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games. Members of the clan from all over the country will be present including David Steadman, the President of Clan Campbell USA. Thank you, we look forward to the games! - Chad Smith, (MSG, USA, Ret.) Clan Campbell Society NA North Carolina Commissioner Mark Vandivier, Controller Zac Vinson, Education Director Lauren Petervary, Event Director Freddie Brown, Farm Operations Eric Ferguson, Farm Staff Carolyn Campbell, Administrative Assistant Mission An educational organization that provides for recognizing, celebrating and preserving the rich heritage of Rural Hill.

6 Highland Dancing & The Carolinas Open The Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games is honored to host the Carolinas Open Highland Dancing Championships, one of six sanctioned championships held in the United States for multiple age groups and levels. Highland dances were traditionally performed by men before and after battle. Scottish dances such as the Highland Fling and the Ghillie Callum (the sword dance), as well as solo dances, are so vigorous that dancers must be in top physical shape to perform. Piping & Drumming Competition The Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games is proud to offer competition for pipe bands and solo pipers and drummers. Events include Professional and Grades I IV piping; snare, tenor, and bass drumming; and Grade III, Grade IV and Grade V pipe band competition. Festival goers will also be able to watch three Massed Band performances during the weekend. Thanks to Our Partners & Sponsors

7 Schedule of Competitions and Activities Subject to change. For complete schedule and registration information visit Saturday, April 12 8:00 am Individual Piping and Drumming Competition begins 8:30 am Highland Dancing competition begins 9:30 am - Competition begins in Professional Scottish Heavy Athletics 10:00 am - OPENING CEREMONIES Presentation of the Honored Guest with the Loch Norman Pipe Band, Scottish American Military Society Post #1775 and the 78th Fraser Highlanders Following Opening ceremonies: The Kilt Dedication in front of the Clan Henderson Tent; Celtic entertainment begins in the Music Tents; Professional Scottish Heavy Athletics competition 11:00 am - The Scottish Country Dancing Tent opens; Carolinas Open Premier Highland Dancing competition begins 12:00 noon - Heavy Stone Lift & Carry; Massed Pipe Bands performance. 12:30 pm - Flag Retirement Ceremony on the Main Field 1:00 pm - Single Malt Whisky Seminar at the barn in Dogwood Glen 1:30 pm - Sheep Herding demonstration; Long Bow competition 2:00 pm - Pipe Band competition begins on the Main Field; Amateur Wrestling competition begins; Women s Amateur Battle Axe competition; Scottish Country Dancing for beginners 3:00 pm - Men s Amateur Battle Axe competition 4:00 pm - Vikings demonstration - weapons of war 4:30 pm - Presentation of Medals & Awards for Pipe Bands & Scottish Athletic competitions 6:30 pm until - Celtic Entertainment in the Chief s Tent 8:00 pm until - Scottish Country Dancing Gala - Hopewell Presbyterian Church Sunday, April 13 8:00 am - Field opens at Rural Hill - Registration for Amateur Heavy Athletics 9:00 am - 12 noon - Qualifying for Amateur Heavy Athletics; Registration for Kilted Mile at the Athletic Tent 9:00 am - Worship service at the Rural Hill Burying Ground; Highland Dancing competition begins in the Chief s Tent 10:00 am - Practice throws at the Battle Axe pit until 11:30 am 10:30 am - Celtic entertainment begins in the Celtic Rock & Traditional music tents 11:00 am - Best Clan Tent award presentation by Anvil Artistry 12:00 noon - The Parade of Tartans and Massed Bands performance 12:00 noon - 2 pm - Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations & instructions 12:30 pm - Amateur Scottish Athletic competition resumes 1:00 pm - Kilted Mile; Tug-o-War (Clan Teams) 1:30 pm - Sheep Herding demonstration - Dr. Ben Ousley 2:00 pm - Single Malt Whisky Seminar in the Scottish Country Dancing Tent 2:30 pm - Battle Axe Challenge Match - entry fee for the prize pot 3:00 pm - Flag Retirement Ceremony on Main Field 3:15 pm - Raffle drawing 4:00 pm - Presentation of Awards at the Reviewing Stand 4:30 pm - CLOSING CEREMONIES at the Cairn with singing of Auld Lang Syne

8 Kids Zone Sponsored and managed by the Town of Huntersville Parks and Recreation Department Passport to Scotland Pony Rides Spinning & Weaving Flex Flying Celtic Design Face Paintings Bounce Houses Registrations for Youth Competitions lochnorman.com Rural Hill P.O. Box 1009 Huntersville, NC Neck Road Huntersville, NC Where History Springs Alive Facilitated in cooperation with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Historic Rural Hill Celebrating more than 250 years in history Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by Historic Rural Hill Inc. and features annual events such as the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze, the Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials, and the NC Brewers and Music Festival. Historic Rural Hill Inc. is a non-profit organization supported through membership and donations, and with proceeds from its events utilized for the preservation of Historic Rural Hill and its education efforts. For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit