Utah Scots turned Park City into a sea of tartan Saturday as throngs of people crowded City Park for the 15th annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
The festival enables Scots to celebrate their heritage and pass on the traditions to the next generation.Jim Barclay of Bountiful said he started playing the bagpipes and marching in parades when he was a little boy. Now that he's a father, Barclay enjoys sharing the pastimes with his sons.
"Their grandfather has been the catalyst behind that. He gave them bagpipes and he tutors them," Barclay said.
Like many families who attended the festival, the Barclay clan wore kilts woven of a tartan unique to their family name. Some Scots wore a second plaid representing their home district.
The chieftain of the day was David Kennedy, former U.S. secretary of the Treasury. Kennedy is a special representative to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kennedy has traveled the world during his career in government and finance and has received many honors. But being named chieftain of the day was a delight, he said.
"It was fun just to be here. I didn't have my kilt but I had my tartan," Kennedy said, tugging the lapel of his plaid suit.
The Highland Games are a carry-over of the ancient Scottish pentathlon, which involves throwing heavy objects for height or distance.
Rick Bowyer of Sandy won the caber toss by hurling an 18-foot, 115-pound timber end-over-end.
"You have to be able to run fast, stop quickly and have the upper thrust in your hands," he said.
The hulking man said he gets few disparaging comments when he wears a traditional kilt. "They'd have to be real gutty. If they did, I'd be real impressed," he said.
Although kilts are the traditional dress of the Scottish, wearing skirts can pose special problems for men.
"My wife had to tell me how to get in the car today," bemoaned LaMar Merrill.