I’m sorry, but guys in kilts are just DOMINANT!   Stalking around with knives in their socks, a definite brio (and I don’t mean cheese) about their shoulders, it simply transforms them into powerful  figures that attracts women like flies to – well, that’s what we wanted to find out –

So we conducted a very informal survey of kilt wearers at our last Games, and asked the single burning question uppermost in every female’s mind:  What EXACTLY is worn under the kilt?  Inquiring minds want to know!  We got a variety of well-rehearsed responses:  “Nothing!  It’s all in pairrfect working order!”  “On a good day, a rainbow!”  My favorite, “A Blue Ribbon!  For first prize!” while his 60ish wife by his side dissolved in giggles.

All I can say is, there is a reason they don’t wear patent leather shoes.

Where do I begin?  I guess the natural response would be to say that I like it all.  And I do.  But the friendships and relationships that I have made over these past years are priceless.  From those that I serve with on our Board of Directors to members of Pipe Bands that join us each year and the numerous folks that attend everything they all have a very special place and fondness to me.

But if asked to name only one thing, that one thing would be the response that I get from folks throughout the year when they find out that I am a part of the Greenville Scottish Games.  It truly is a rewarding and priceless thing.

So at our last Games Board meeting we had invited (as is our practice in the last months running up to the Games) several of our senior committee chairmen.  Understand, we have a very different Board than that of any other Games, and indeed I’ll say practically any other non-profit event or festival.  This is a hard-working Board, with each member responsible for implementation of his/her venues. 

Note: in our Games, there are an awful lot more “hers” in positions of responsibility than any other Scottish Games I know, and I know a lot.  Each one has a full-time job and sacrifices a great deal of spare time and family life during the year to build the Games.

We’ve been at this for eight years now and our Board has a great time whenever we get together.  True to our Scots heritage, we find great humor in almost everything and as we say in the South we "cut fool" a lot at our meetings.  We do get ‘er done though, and then some, resulting in an incredible series of events.

After our what we consider to be a typical board meeting, I’ll just say the image of one of our female Board members attempting to plaster a Scottish bumper sticker I had given out on her rear was not out of the ordinary, one of our new committee chairmen came up to me at the end of the meeting and said, “uh – is there a higher Board of Directors than this one?  Like, is there anybody that sits on top of this Board?”

Meaning:  can this bunch of hooples possibly run the most incredible Games on the planet?

I would imagine that just about when anyone starts to discuss classic British cars that there is a joke or two concerning Joseph Lucasaka “The Prince of Darkness”, oil leaks, or breakdowns. But there is much more to it than those clichés. There are many reasons that people are drawn to the collector hobby, specifically classic British cars. First, many of the classic brits are beautiful examples of craftsmanship. Take a look at the lines of the old Jaguars, Aston Martins, or Austin-Healy's. Those designs have stood the test of time and are recognizable at a glance. Look at some of the trim pieces of a Triumph TR-4, and you would agree that they are industrial art at its best. The wood and leather in some of these older cars are better made than fine furniture. Mechanically, most of the older cars are simple machines, built to last.  Many of the owners are able to work on and maintain the cars themselves,  When they do need professional service, usually there are mechanics to be found in every area that are trained in British cars, many of whom were worked in the old factories or at dealerships back in the day.  One thing I have noticed is that the folks who work on the old cars are passionate about what they do, and do a commendable job for their clients, whether it is a full restoration or a simple tune up. The jokes about these cars and their reliability generally can be traced to poor maintenance.  We had a fellow in our car club who had an MGB with over 300K miles on it, just following the proper maintenance schedules. But more than anything else, I think the main reason people are drawn to the hobby is the camaraderie with their fellow owners.  I have never met such nice and helpful people as are found in the British car collecting hobby.  When we get together at shows like this one, it is a chance to see old friends and make new ones, discuss our cars, help each other solve issues, and share parts and advice.  When you visit the Games, make a point of walking through the car show, ask the owners about their cars, as they love to share knowledge about them, and share stories about their passion.  Maybe after spending some time amongst the old British iron, you too may be bitten by the same bug that got us.

When I was ten  my mother was insistent that I play an instrument. Tried violin, guitar, and even a short stint in chorus. Nothing seemed to suit me . Then one evening my mom threw a crazy party and her friend Bob Penland brought his pipes. The sound touched my soul. This was what I wanted to play. It was the most amazing sound. Now, grant you, the instrument has to be in the hands of a competent player. Bagpipes can sound awful if you are not properly trained and your instrument has to be given the attention as though it is your wife if you want it not to argue with you!. I fell in love with the pipes. Let's just say the practices in the living room as I was learning would clear the house, and the immediate neighborhood.  

Years later I was walking on Furman's Campus and thought this place would be a great location for a highland games, the view of Paris Mountain in the background, the close location to my house. Seven years ago Dee and I, over some fajitas, decided to do it. Let's bring the Scottish Highlands to Greenville.  Be careful, be verrryy careful,  what you say around Dee Benedict. She will make things happen. We have never looked back. I hope you enjoy the Piping and Drumming competitions and the sounds captures your soul as it has me.

Nick Williams