Everyone's Scottish at Clanjamfry
Everyone's Scottish at Clanjamfry
I learned something very important at Clanjamfry on Saturday: sheep herding is completely mesmerizing.
It's also kind of soothing. I stood at the edge of the fenced in herding demonstration area for a good 20 minutes, watching in awe as an enthusiastic little collie wrangled a pack of six unruly sheep. They repeated the same sequence over and over: the collie ran them around the enclosed area, then stopped to let them graze (which they did, very close together and with as much enthusiasm as sheep can muster).
The sheep herding wasn't the only captivating thing happening at Clanjamfry, Memphis' annual celebration of all things Scottish. There was a girl who performed traditional Highland dances over swords, and a parade of dogs in silly plaid costumes. There was also a caber toss, a distinctly Scottish sport that involves lifting and throwing a massive log.
Clanjamfry is a chance for Memphians to learn a little bit more about Scottish culture and heritage through music (not all bagpipes), dance, food, history talks, vendors and yes, plenty of plaid. Individual clans have booths, and there are tons of people in traditional dress.
Clanjamfry happens every year in late September at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. To see more photos of this year's festival, check out the Flickr gallery.
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