Connecting with their Scottish roots

Gary Herbold always knew he had some Scottish heritage, but he was never sure about the extent of his ancestry.

After years of being a Mountain Men Fur Trapper, he came across some Scots from the Ferguson Clan and realized his history.

“Scottish people tend to wander all over the world, going places and doing things,” Herbold said.

Herbold, a member of the Ferguson Clan, represents the group at a number of Scottish Festivals across California and has been involved in Scottish events for nearly two decades. He was representing the group at the 76th Annual Highland Gathering and Festival at the OC Fair and Expo on Sunday, along with many other clans.

“A lot of people that you get, it’s their first time,” Herbold said. “Their grandmothers or uncle was in [a particular clan] and they never thought much about it. They are usually very thrilled to tie something in their personal life to something bigger.”

The weekend festival invited a number of the major Scottish clans that have representatives in the U.S. to have booths and inform the public about their heritage. The booths lined the streets of the expo, offering information, T-shirts, trinkets and the chance for some to trace their genealogy.

There were also Scottish bands and music, as well as boutiques and kilt stores.

One of the highlights of the festival was the Scottish athletics competition, as men tried to prove that some of the strongest are those wearing kilts. They competed in a number of events, including the caber toss, where contestants take a long log and launch it in hopes of turning the log end over end while keeping the log in a straight line.

Decedents of Scotland and others alike enjoy the culture and festivities because there is nothing else like it, Herbold said.

“I see it as an educational situation,” he said. “Every clan has got a story.”

There were also youth athletic competitions, a Highland Dancing competition and Solo Piping/Drumming and Drum Major contests.

“I love the athletic competition, the opportunity to hear various speakers and mingling with fellow Scots is always fun,” said Stanley Brewster, a Las Vegas resident.

Herbold said it’s amazing how much Scotland and its people have been involved in history, and that legend has brought interest in the culture from all people.

FUN FACTS

 Scotland’s flag is the cross of St. Andrew, also known as the Saltire.

 While English is the main language spoken in Scotland, Gaelic is still spoken by about 70,000 people in Scotland.

 Scotland’s national day is St. Andrew’s Day on November 30.

 Scotland’s capital city is Glasgow, but it’s largest city is Edinburgh.

 The word clan is Gaelic for children, based on the concept that all members of a clan are related to the chief of the clan, and claim common ancestry.

 In order to be called Scotch, by law, whiskey must meet particular standards and must be produced in Scotland.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.