Brian Dixon has been competing for a couple of years. "I was doing some family history. I knew we had Scottish blood and began checking into associations and found these guys. I got hooked." What he especially likes is that "it's one of the few sports where the guys you compete against will coach you and give you tips. It's competition, but you're really competing against yourself, trying for personal bests."

"The friendship is the best part," said John Springer, who has been competing for four years. "I've done lots of sports, but this is the best group I've been with. Everyone helps each other. It's a noncompetitive competition."

Springer, who is stationed at Hill Field, also got hooked by watching the games. "I saw these guys playing, and I kept bugging them until they let me sign up and play, too." In his first competition, he took second place in the novice division — "and they moved me right up to the masters."

Springer has even started an annual competition at Hill Field. "I think it's the only Highland Games that are held on a military installation." (The third-annual Hill AFB Highland Games will be held June 25).

Daniel Hamilton got into the games while he was stationed at Hill. "I saw a flier, and thought I'd go hang out." He has since been transferred to Colorado but still comes back to Utah for the games. The games require strength, but "there's a lot of finesse involved. I like that."

Many of the athletes have a track-and-field background, notes Springer, so a lot of the events are not entirely new — except the caber toss. "There's nothing from track-and-field that translates to that."

The athletes compete in each of the events, "so you have to learn to like them all," said Loosle. "If you have one bad event, it can bring you down."

And, while you don't have to have a Scottish background, you do have to wear a kilt. Many of the athletes do have Scottish connections, and choose lightweight sport kilts in their clan tartans. But some also wear what are called "Utili-kilts," which are lightweight, plain-colored garments. "You don't wear a dress kilt out here," said Loosle. And here, at least, there's no mystery about what goes under the kilt. "With all the spinning, you'd better have on a pair of shorts."

But kilts are an important part of the tradition, and at every games, there's a "kirkin' of the tartan," a ceremony that blesses the kilts.

It all adds up to a very appealing endeavor, said Loosle. The tradition is longstanding; the challenge is very real. And the camaraderie can't be beat. "You meet one day on the field, and it seems like you're friends for life."

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If you go

What: Utah Scottish Festival

Where: Thanksgiving Point, Electric Park

When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Tickets: Festival pass — $15 for adults, $8 for children (3-12); Saturday only $10, adults, $5 for children; Friday or Saturday evening, $5 for adults, $3 for children.

Information: www.utahscots.org

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com