Posted on Saturday, February 9, 2013 by Shawn Dake
A recent photo of the QUEEN MARY at Long Beach. Photo and copyright Shawn Dake 2009.
The QUEEN MARY, proudly built by Scottish craftsmen along the River Clyde, will host a gathering of the clans once again on February 16 – 17, 2013, when ScotsFest returns to the iconic vessel berthed in Long Beach, California. This will be the 20th annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games, which has become the longest continuously running event to be held at the ship. This year, for the first time, it has been renamed ScotsFest.
Banners depicting current shipboard events are displayed at the entrance to the QUEEN MARY. Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
This extravaganza of “plaid pride” will feature whisky and beer tasting; athletic competitions such as the caber toss; sword-dancers and bagpipers competing in events of international importance; live sheep-herding demonstrations and the opportunity to immerse oneself fully in Scottish culture and cuisine. After working up an appetite watching the cute wooly sheep, try the haggis along with some neeps and tatties. It’s not bad!
Presentation of the haggis on the Promenade Deck. Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
To kick off ScotsFest this year, the QUEEN MARY hosted an entertaining and informative preview event in the Royal Salon, formerly the first class smoking room. Getting things started, the head chef arrived, accompanied by a bagpiper, for the presentation of the haggis. A light lunch was served including delicious salmon with capers as an appetizer, meat pies, the aforementioned traditional delicacies and a beautiful cream dessert served in a glass. To accompany the cuisine, a tasting of five different Scotch whiskys were offered, from the MacAllan Fine Oak Series and their aged Highland Park label to the popular Black Grouse blended Scotch.
What would a Scottish celebration be without fine Scotch Whisky? Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
ScotsFest Preview presentation in the former first class smoking room. Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
The spirits lifted everyone’s spirits for wonderful presentations of Scottish dancing, descriptions of the ancient origins of many sporting events and a demonstration of the proper wearing of a kilt consisting of yards and yards of material. A splendid time was had by all.
Totally random, official tartan of the QUEEN MARY shot. Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
Many may not know that the R.M.S. QUEEN MARY has its own official tartan. This lovely pattern made its debut during the 8th Annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival & Games in 2001. Each element of the tartan signifies something of significance in the ship’s history. The basic color is blue, representing the element in which she sailed; white, red, and black are the colors of the superstructure and Cunard funnels and six thin grey threads represent her six years of war service during World War II. A purple stripe is for the ship’s royal connections while the gold stripe alludes to the fact that the QUEEN MARY is permanently berthed in “The Golden State” of California.
Group dressed in traditional Scottish garb. Photo by Shawn J. Dake c.2013.
The QUEEN MARY was a British-registered Cunard liner for 31-years on the North Atlantic, followed by her 46-years as a resident of Long Beach. But ask any Scotsman and they will still tell you the ship is Scottish in her soul. It is only fitting that this “Stateliest Ship” has become the backdrop for this gathering of the clans and the annual events of the Scottish Festival. This year’s event, held on President’s Day weekend, runs from 9am to 6pm both days. Adult one-day tickets are priced at $18.00 or $24.00 for both days. Most events will be held dockside, alongside the ship and in the grassy areas nearby. On Saturday evening, the ship will rock to the sounds of Scottish, Gaelic, Celtic and good old rock ‘n’ roll bands during the Rock Yer Kilt Concert from 6pm until midnight. If you’re in the area, it is well worth planning a visit to the historic QUEEN MARY. More information can be found here.
Photo and copyright Shawn Dake 2013.
Thanks to Johanna Felix, Martin Cox and Peter Knego.
Hank
February 9, 2013 at 8:05 pm
QM is definitely one of my ten favorite ships! Actually in the top five!
Clive Harvey
February 10, 2013 at 3:16 am
As a matter of extreme curiosity, what are the other four?
Kenenth Eden
February 10, 2013 at 6:04 am
Can someone please explain the connection Princess Diana has with the QM – Cunard – and Scotland?
Could her fame merely be a tool for fund raising?
Leigh
February 10, 2013 at 7:33 am
Princess Diana has nothing to do with ScotsFest. The Queen Mary is hosting a seperate Diana event for fashion based on Dianas gowns. The events are posted on the the same billboard as the Queen Mary is large enough to hold multiple events.
richard osborne
February 10, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Hi peter,
did you see the 60 minutes show on costic concadea this week good info on the ship?
I love going the Queen Mary this new leases has done good job in try to bring her back
Richard
Hank -to Clive
February 10, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Clive,
It’s very hard to put them in order, and it changes, but it looks something like this.
1. QUEEN MARY
2. UNITED STATES
3. QE2
4. ROTTERDAM
5. KUNGSHOLM
6. ARION
7. CANBERRA
8. FUNCHAL
9. AMERICA
10. DOULOS
I also like the NIEUW AMSTERDAM, QE (1940), SAXONIA class, SAGAFJORD and VISTAFJORD, and the ORIANA. I tend to be biased toward liners that are still with us.
NORMANDIE is nice too, although for some reason, it has never quite captured my imagination. I think it was beautiful, and have quite a bit of knowledge about it. However she wasn’t successful and slightly depressing. The same goes for FRANCE. She steamed so long, yet there is something about her years with NCL (although still stunning) and her eventual demise on the beach that just drives me away.
Hank -to Clive
February 10, 2013 at 6:55 pm
FRANCE and NORMANDIE were both splendid though. the ILE DE FRANCE is definitely one of my favorite French liners. The MERMOZ has quite a bit of charm as well.
But like I said, I’m biased towards the liners we still have, primarily because I can still experience them.
hank -to Clive
February 11, 2013 at 11:00 am
Actually, the statement “NORMANDIE hasn’t captured my imagination” isn’t accurate. It has, and is one of my favorite liners, which is why I included it. I just feel heartbroken by her short lifespan. QM has a personal connection to my family as my grandfather sailed during the war when she was a troopship. My great uncle was also onboard.
The NORMANDIE was by far the more graceful and daring. But QM has a certain allure to me. QM was much more conservative and refined. If I had to choose it would be difficult, but probably the QM.
So NORMANDIE has captured my imagination. I worded that wrong.
Cheri
February 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Hello,
I’ve been trying to find the schedule for the sheep herding event. We’re bringing our four year old grandson and he was so excited when we explained that dogs actually herded sheep and he could see them do it in person. We have tickets for Sunday the 17th. What time will it be held so we don’t miss it. Thanks so much, Cheri Barstow
Martin Cox
February 13, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Hi Cheri: MaritimeMatters writes about events at the QUEEN MARY but we do not produce them, I would suggest calling the QM and see if you can find your answer – best, martin
steven taylor
February 15, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Hank- im very please to see 3 & 5 on your list definatly my 2 favourites… mainly because ive worked on both.
Shawn Dake
February 17, 2013 at 11:27 am
My apologies to those residing in colder parts of the country and the world, but we are enjoying an 83 degree Saturday on the water here in Southern Califoria. ScotsFest at the QUEEN MARY is great fun and continues on Sunday with more events. Yesterday had competitions in dancing, piping and athletic events. For Cheri, the sheephearding demonstrations are at 11am, 1:30pm and 4:00pm in the grassy area just beyond the village shoreside. The dogs were amazing and it was one of the highlights of the day. Well worth seeing.
Hank -to Steven
February 18, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Thank you very much Steven! That is definitely my top 10 list there. Finalized. KUNGSHOLM and QE2 are certainly two of my favorites. I feel like I have a lot of people who disagree with me leaving NORMANDIE out of my top 10. However, it is probably within the top 20.