If you’ve never been to a Bonny Knee Contest, let me share a little about them. For these contests, brawn, lusty sons of Scotland, garbed in clan tartans, gather together, not for war, but to bare their knees to a blind folded lassie. The judge, sits as pretty as a queen, blindfolded so she can’t see the knees before her. Lifting her hands, palms outward, she wiggled her fingers, ready to explore the line of men in kilts.
The first Scot takes the stage, loudly shuffling his feet as he scoots up to the lassie’s lap, he pressed his hard muscled calves up against her shapely legs. Reaching out, the lassie lays the palms of her soft hands over his bare knees. When she has had her feel of one man’s knees, another lad steps forward, and so it goes.
The men walked forward one by one, and lift their kilts to the blindfolded lassie for a second round of judging. At moments when a judge seems unsure of where to place her fingers, another lassie assists by guiding her hands to the fellows’ knees. The judge dare not touch something higher than the knee. Some of the contestants from time to time may lift their kilt a little too high. We don’t want to see more than knees.
Sometimes the judges seem to be have a bit too much fun and take several rounds to pick a winner. But they do need to be sure to pick the right one. It’s only fair. Once the judge makes their choice, the winner is announced, they usually get bragging rights and a trophy or a small prize.
I hope you enjoy the pictures, they are from the Kilgore Texas Celtic Heritage Festival, the town is nestled amid the flowering dogwood, and stately pine trees of East Texas. If you ever get a chance to go to a Bonny Knee contest you should, as you can see they are hilarious and lots of fun.
For more about the Celts and Romance please visit my website at http://CelticRoamnceQueen.com
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18 comments:
Hi. I'm not familiar with Scottish culture/traditions. But I must say, I like this aspect. Thanks for sharing. This really made me giggle. Jordan
Sounds like fun - thanks for letting us know about this, Cornelia.
How fun!
Men in kilts, oh yeah!
Thanks for the peek into such a fun tradition.
~ Sandy
What a fascinating tradition, Cornelia. Thanks for telling us.
I loved this! I hope the Bonny Knee contest trend takes hold and goes everywhere. We need more kilts and more fun.
XXOO Kat
Hi Jordan,
The Bonny Knee contest are such fun. The other thing that's a blast are the Irish Guinness Drinking Contest, they are hilarious as well. My books are full of Irish and Scottish traditions. I love them.
Hi Tina,
They are fun and thanks so much for the comment. I appreciate it.
Dear Sandy Sullivan,
I'm with you on - Men in Kilts - Oh Yeah!
Thanks for the comment
I appreciate it
Thanks for the comment Sandy. I appreciate it.
Here's a little kilt quote for you
"Why do they call it a Kilt? Because if you call it a skirt you get KILT"
Katalina, thank you for the comment so much. I full agree, that's what we all need - more Kilts and More fun
That would be a great title for a Celtic contemporary romaine
More Kilts More Fun
I like the guy in the top picture. Now that is one FINE leg. Grin. So who did the judge pick?
I like the joke Billy Connolly told on The Tonight Show MANY years ago. When asked what a Scotsman wears under his kilt, Billy replied, "Lipstick." I love that guy. LOL
Always love knowing about something new. I'd definitely go to one of these if it was within range. What fun...Jean
Dear Francesca,
Thanks so much for the comment. I've heard that joke as "your wife's lipstick." LOL
The man in the third picture down won.He got his name on the Cypress Knee Trophy along with bragging rights and a pair of tartan boxer shorts. And he said to the crowd, “My wife and I will have fun with these tonight.” A hush of bafflement fell over the crowd. One onlooker asked what was on everyone’s mind. “Your wife?”
The winner held the package of underwear up to the audience. “Aye they be two of a pair, don’t ye know?”
Jean, Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you for your comment. I appreciate it. I'm so glad you liked the article. Keep in touch.
How far up that knee are you allowed to go? LOL
I've been to some Scottish games but wasn't lucky enough to see this contest.
Very interesting blog, Cornelia.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. They are blind folded and these guys are different heights so it's hard for the judge to know where the guys knees are sometimes. It's a bit like pin the tail on the donkey. Sometimes they might accidently go a little too high. LOL
Cornelia,
This is very interesting. I do love a man in Kilt. However, I didn't know they had this kind of contest. This sounds like a lot of fun.
Teresa
Thanks so much for commenting Teresa. I love a man in a kilt too.
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