Dancers at the Braemar Gathering in Scotland. The festival takes place today.

© Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Image

Let the Highland games begin

Cue the bagpipes–today’s homepage brings us to Scotland for the Braemar Gathering, an annual celebration of Scottish culture that takes place today in the village of Braemar. These Highland games include traditional dance, music, and athletic competitions–and tartan, lots and lots of tartan (part of Scotland’s national dress). Since 1848, Braemar has regularly been attended by Britain’s Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II, the official patron of the games, has come to Braemar every year since 1952, when she ascended the throne. It’s worth noting that she likes tartan too, and even has her own personal style of tartan—a pattern called the ‘Royal Stewart.’