The House of Boyd Society has been bringing the clan tent to events since 1988. All Boyds are welcome at our tent. The tents are actively manned by friendly, dedicated volunteers who freely answer visitors' questions regarding Boyd history & genealogy, Scottish history, customs and other subjects that change as the questions are put forth. We happily answer questions regarding how to begin your genealogy and offer assistance in helping you break through those brick walls that we all run into!
While visiting the events, enjoy the Boyd hospitality and consider the House of Boyd Society tent your 'home away from home.' Join us in the March of the Clans. Bring your cooler and park it at our tent while you enjoy the events. At the larger events we share pot luck lunches.
We have a special relationship with Clan Stewart Society in America, as well as Clan Cian, and should you not find our tent at an event, you are welcome to visit theirs. You will be greated as a cousin.
On the East Coast, Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and Stone Mountain near Atlanta, Georgia, have the largest gatherings of the clans. We also sponsor House of Boyd tents at Games in several states.
The largest events on the West Coast are sponsored by the Caledonia clubs of Sacramento and San Francisco. These two events are more commonly known as The Woodland Games and The Pleasanton Games respectively.
There are many events to be enjoyed at the games from athletes (men AND women) tossing the caber, to dancers, sheep herders, and the ever present pipers and pipe bands providing background music with their practising and playing. You won't hear this sort of background 'muzak' in your supermarket!
Attending Scottish Games can add a welcome social side to the activities of the House of Boyd Society. Researching your family tree and reading the Dean Road can be solitary activities, but going along to some Games will let you meet other House of Boyd members, and even some Boyds who are not (yet!) House of Boyd members. If you've joined the Boyd-L mailing list then you are quite likely to meet some other Boyd-L members and put some faces to those names.
At almost all of the games there is a Clan March to introduce the clans to the general public. Come along and march with us sometime; we don't have to keep step like the pipers do -- we just follow behind them!
The food vendors provide a wide range of treats to be tasted. So, have you ever tasted haggis? (Be afraid. Be very afraid.) The other vendors can provide you with clothing, celtic jewellery, celtic music on CD or tape, skean dhus (that's the dagger worn in the stocking when in Highland dress), dirks and claymores.
Everywhere there are men in their kilts and ladies wearing tartan sashes and tartan skirts. It's always fun when there is a strong breeze blowing! Of course, you don't have to wear a kilt or tartan skirt to get in to the games. Most folk don't the first time they attend. But be warned! Your Scottish blood will be stirred; you'll feel a tingle marching up and down your spine! And next time you go to some Scottish Games you may find yourself admiring your hairy knees in the mirror before setting out!
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The gang at the Monterey Games in CA.
Michael and Sally Boyd, Jim Boyd, Nona and Chris Boyd,
Lauren Boyd, Clan Pres. and Cal Boyd, Clan Genealogist
Michael Boyd welcomes Eile O'Carroll, Chief of Clan Cian, to the House of Boyd tent at the Ben Lomond games.
The Haggis Toss: A very popular event for the ladies
at many California games sponsored by the Montgomery Boys.
Pipe bands marching at Grandfather Mountain games
in N. Carolina. You can hear the pipes in your head
for hours after the games have ended.
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