While tens of thousands of team Scotland FIFA fans brought their Tartan Army to Boston and Miami, Franklin hosted its own tartan teams this past weekend.
With the Braveheart 5K and the Taste of Scotland Festival and Highlands Games, Macon County was covered in plaid.
Friday kicked off the weekend with the tartan parade and Ceilidh (sounds like kay-leigh) at the downtown gazebo. Hundreds flocked downtown to see the grandeur of multiple tartans marching down Main Street. (For a better understanding of what a tartan is, check out Franklin’s own Scottish Tartan Museum and Heritage Center website for an explanation.)
Here’s a fun photo essay, we hope you enjoy.
Friday: Tartan Parade and Ceilidh
Saturday: Scottish Tartan Museum’s Braveheart 5K
Saturday started early with the Braveheart 5K and Rob Roy Fun Run. A total of 94 runners hit the streets to raise money for the Tartan Museum. And most, like Tim Crabtree and his nephew Solomon Crabtree, enjoyed the beautiful weather, a family event, a good reason to dress the part, and win a medal.
Some came kilted, others just enjoyed the whole morning.
Runners came from all over Western North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee to take on the challenge for a good cause.
Overall winners were knighted with and gifted the coveted William Wallace sword. All proceeds raised by the race benefited the Scottish Tartan Museum and Heritage Center.
The medal ceremony was performed at Outdoor 76 by Dave Linn, race coordinator (in blue shirt below), and Cara Pace, curator for the Scottish Tartan Museum, in a traditional Scottish dress (below).
The top winners included Mathew Weems of Atlanta (above) with a time of 18:18, and Chelsea Ellwood of Cullowee (below) with a time of 21:29
Saturday: Taste of Scotland Festival and Highlands Games
Later on Saturday, the Taste of Scotland festival and highland games kicked into full gear. The Taste of Scotland Society said approximately 1,300 attended at the Macon County Fairgrounds. And for those there, the family- and dog-friendly event had something for everyone.
For starters, Scottish and American food, and kilt humor.
New this year was the birds of prey display.
Working dogs, and furry fans.
Music was everywhere.
Clans and a crowd for the games, which culminated the day.
Editors wish to thank Tim Crabtree, Roger French Photography, and ExperienceFranklinNC.com with Mark Krancer of Kram Kran Photography for the images provided for this story.