Loon mountain highland games

[CelticRadio]

I just learned a few weeks ago that the Loon Mountain Highland Games held at Loon Mountain in Lincoln NH will be the last such games held there.

The games have been played at this site for 28 years and is the most beautiful and spectacular site. Nestled among towering moutains, lakes, stream and forests, it truly gives one the feeling of Scotland. There is nothing like hearing close to 1000 bagpipers come Marching down a mountain with the bagpipe sounds echoing off the mountain from afar.

Because of a combination of the Winston Cup & Foilage season it was decided that the games will be moved to the Hopkinton Fair ground in NH. True there is potential that the games could grow even more at this new site with the possible addition of the World Champion Heavy Weight events in the future, but it will never be the same for people that have fallen in love with the Game at Loon.

The Loon games attract close to 50,000 people over the 3 day event - - including all of the most famous musicians, dancers, athelets. I for one will be re-arranging my schedule to make it for this one last time before they move.

[baldpiper]

It is with great sadness that I too will miss going to Loon for the Games.  I've been going for only a couple of years but the place is great.

I've been playing with a band that goes there.  The people and the rest of the bands are fantastic.

I hope the new venue will be just as great.

[CelticRadio]

Hi Baldpiper,

Well, from what I understand it will be at the Hopkinton Fair ground in NH. A person from where I work, who happens to be very much into the Loon Highland Games, was equally distraught about the change in venue.

However, she did take a trip up to the Hopkinton Fair Grounds and was impressed with the layout. She said it looks like a great place to have the mass bands and such, so perhaps it might turn out ok.

I am still going to miss the mystic of the White Mountains. We use to stay at a place called "The Lodge" which had great accomodations and was right on the river there. Was perfect, we would grab our coffee and breakfast muffin/bagel in the morning and pick up the bus right there, all in short walking distance from the hotel.

[baldpiper]

I went to the web site of the fair grounds and it does seem like it would have some room.  It certainly would be a pleasure not to go uphill to get organized for massed bands.

One thing that concerns me is what seems as a lack of accomadations near the grounds.

We stayed in Lincoln which was wonderful. I believe the place was called Deer Park and a number of condo's was rented by people in pipe bands or others that were going to the games.  We practiced the pipes at night with no complaints from anyone.  Hope can be the same next year.

[CelticRadio]

The lack of accomdations was a concern of my friend too, they are scoping out a small cabin where they can make camp for the week. I am probably going to look at a few places come early spring, let me know if you find anything good!