"We had initially wanted to reflect the historical aspects of the games, which were known as the 'Scotch' Fair in Scotland County in the 1800s," event co-chairman Beacham McDougald said. "But upon further reflection and input, a name change to the Scotland County Highland Games seemed a more appropriate way to honor the games and the area."
Preparations for the inaugural games, scheduled to take place Oct. 3 at the John Blue House in Laurinburg, are proceeding well, according to McDougald and fellow event chairman Bill Caudill.
Both agree, however, that more still needs to be done in several key areas including fundraising and volunteers.
"We are looking for persons to assist us in all aspects of the games as volunteers," Caudill said from the Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews College. "Everyone is welcome to be a part of this process as we move closer to having everything in place for our October Highland games."
Ways to cover the initial startup costs for the games was considered at length during Tuesday's meeting.
"We discussed methods of sponsorship for the games, which will be necessary to cover our estimated initial operating expenses of $10,000 to $15,000," McDougald said. "That sum is in addition to the $18,200 we received from the Scotland County Tourism Development Authority to use for advertising and promotion.
"What we would like to do is establish different levels of sponsorships, and invite regional companies to participate. By signing on as a corporate sponsor, they would receive plenty of publicity in our brochures, banners, and in other advertising materials."
McDougald announced the receipt of a list of amateur athletes from the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, who will be contacted about participating in the Scotland County Highland Games.
In other news, committee members Gerald Daniel, Sylvia McLean, and Clyde Marsh were asked to develop a logo design to be used on all advertising, T-shirts, and brochures.
"We plan to have the T-shirts and brochures ready in early April," McDougald said. "Many of the 28 persons in attendance at this week's meeting plan to wear the T-shirts and carry the brochures to the Loch Norman Highland Games on April 18."
Clyde Marsh, who handles publicity for the John Blue Cotton Festival, also serves on the publicity committee for the Scotland County Highland Games.
"We have a lot of work ahead, creating brochures and programs among other projects, but we have obtained permission from the North Carolina Department of Tourism to place brochures advertising the games in every welcome center across the state. Once we have the brochures completed, and they are approved by the tourism department, the Scotland County Highland Games will have a presence at each location."
The next meeting of the Highland games committee will be March 10 at 7 p.m. at either Scotland Place or the Scottish Heritage Center.
"Things are progressing nicely," McDougald said, "though we still need a good amount of funds in order to purchase equipment and supplies for anticipated expenses. We need money to cover things such as transportation for pipe bands and judges, tents, athletic equipment, things of that sort. Since this is a first year event, we have lots of purchases to make, but once we get the initial startup money I hope we will become self-sufficient."
Members of the founding executive board for the organization are Bill Caudill, Beacham McDougald, David McLamb, and Guy McCook. John Lentz was elected secretary and Chandler Stewart, an accountant from Lumberton, was elected treasurer. A committee of six: Philip McRae, Sara Stewart, and Jim Blue of Laurinburg, and Ginny Powers, Maurice Robertson and Gerald Daniel of Fayetteville, were elected to serve on an advisory committee.
For information, or to sign on as a volunteer or as a sponsor, contact Bill Caudill at the Scottish Heritage Center of St. Andrews College, 277-5236.
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