As a child, she helped with yard work on the historic Robertson Plantation owned by Salado's founding family that came from Scotland. She remembers matriarch Mary Lucille Robertson teaching her the proper name for the plaid kilts.

"It's tartan, not plaid," Ms. Mendez said. "I learned a lot. Mrs. Robertson was very proud of her heritage."

Proud Scots from all over the country will converge at the 48th annual Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Salado Civic Center.