Tuesday, June 1, 2010

SCOTTISH GAMES GREENVILLE SC MAY 2010

Land Rover's new Lotus in Scottish Games Parade


Miss America 2010

Prince Edward - 2010 Royal Blue Rolls Royce Phantom

My 2 babies - Dianne and Bella

Prince Edward walking through "Wee Games" area - Dianne had just talked to him

Our son Chad and sweet Bella at Land Rover's Show area



It has been reported that the Upstate of South Carolina has one of the highest 


concentrations of Scots-Irish descendants in the country, and their ancestors, with 


incredible hardships, came to the Carolinas north from Charleston and south from 


Philadelphia and Virginia.

The Scottish Games were created in 2006 as a tribute to celebrate our Celtic forebears, 

and the experiences of the colors, tastes, sights and sounds are all replicas of clan life in 

the Highlands of Scotland. Prince Edward's interest is to promote physical fitness and 

community service.



On Friday evening we went to the Great Scot! Parade, and there were 

"Wee folk" in their Scottish outfits marching or riding on floats. In the 

Parade were Prince Edward riding in a 2010 Royal Blue Rolls Royce 

Phantom, the reigning 2010 Miss America, 2010 Miss South Carolina, 

2010 Miss South Carolina Teen, and many more that were fully 

dressed in Celtic attire. Bella was collecting items that were given to 

her by those in the parade.


On Saturday at the Games, there was a miniature Scottish Village 


called Wee Scotland, and there is no other like it at any other Scottish 


Games in the country. There were crafts, athletic events, “mountains”


to climb, face painting, and Bella had her face painted like a


butterfly.The runners ran the Swamp Macrabbit Trail 5K, which you 


can also walk or ride your bike on the Trail. This trail now runs from Cleveland Park to downtown Greenville all the way to Travelers Rest. The trail was named after a wee little passenger train 150 years ago named the Swamp Rabbit which ran from Greenville up into the foothills north of our city. The narrow railroad track has now been converted into a state-of-the-art running trail, which also goes by the Furman campus and follows close by the Reedy River. There is a race course that loops through the scenic woods of the Trail, with different surfaces to be easy on the feet. Dianne and myself are now looking for 2 new bikes to ride on the trail, because it would probably cost more to fix up our old 10 speeds that are 30 years old and sitting under our house.
It was neat because we also got to spend some time with Chad since 
he was working at the show. His employer, Land Rover, sponsored the
second Great Scot! British Car Show. The display and show of cars 
were held on the gorgeous wide mall leading up to the entrance of the
Games on the Furman campus. There were some beautiful cars ranging
from Rolls Royce to Mini Cooper, all with their hoods opened for our 
viewing. Dr. Frashier, who owns Land Rover and for whom Chad works,
displayed a 1972 yellow MG which is in its original condition.

Prince Edward's visit to Greenville is believed to the first time a senior 

member of the Royal Family has visited the Games outside of Scotland. 

It was however the first time British Royalty had visited Greenville. 

Prince Edward was making a walk through the Wee games area and 

cheering on the participants. Dianne was also in the Wee Games area 

with Bella, and Prince Edward walks up to her. Dianne talked to Prince 

Edward, welcomed him to Greenville, and it was a once in a lifetime 

treat for her. Needless to say, I was in another area and was unable to 

take a picture of them together. Prince Edward was just walking 

around the Games and talking to people, and Dianne said he is such a 

nice friendly person. Prince Edward is the Earl of Wessex, the youngest 

son of Queen Elizabeth, and seventh in line of succession to the British 

Throne.

It was our first time to visit the Games since it has been in Greenville 

for 4 years, and we really enjoyed it.

God Bless!

Bruce

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