When In Scotland You Must Visit
The Highland Games
Scotland Events > The Highland Games
Celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, Highland Games are held not only in Scotland, but in many other countries throughout the world.
The Games developed in Victorian times after the Highland clearances, when many highlanders came south to Glasgow and other parts, and many more made their way to America and Canada.
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In their original form the Games revolved around sport and athletic competitions, which remain an integral part of the events, symbolised by the caber toss, designed to build the muscle.
The massing of the pipe bands is probably what people remember most, but pipes and drums are not the only music to be heard at these events.
Nearly all the games feature a wide range of piping and drumming competitions, caber tossing, highland dancing competitions, athletic events, and individual pipers and drummers. With great fun and the great food (and drink) that's usually on offer, combined with the grandeur of the Scottish scenery, the Games are a 'must-see' visitor attraction.
Highland Dancing
Highland dancing is a very technical dance form, requiring a lot of practice and training over a period of several years in order to perfect. The introduction of the Highland Fling was originally an imitation of a courting stag, so historically, Highland dances were danced only by men.
A woman named Jenny Douglas entered a Highland dance competition in the late 19th century, and there have been several female World Highland Dance Champions at the Cowal Gathering since 1948. Other dance competitions include the Flora MacDonald, the Scottish Lilt, the Earl of Erroll, Highland Laddie, and the Blue Bonnets.
Tossing The Caber
Tossing the caber is the most popular of the athletic events. The caber is a large wooden pole, like a telegraph pole, which is usually between 5 and 6 metres long and can weigh anything up to 60 kg.
A combination of strength and skill is involved in this event, as the competitor has to lift the caber, then balance it, and then toss it. I've watched them do this many a time, and I would say that the key is in the balance before the throw. The timing of the throw is absolutely crucial, because the object of the exercise is to flip the caber over, not to see who can toss it the furthest distance.
If the thrower doesn't achieve the flip, then he is scored as if he were viewing the hour hand on a clock, i.e.
if the caber lands like 10:00 on a clockface, it would score higher than one landing at 9:00.
The largest Games in Scotland is the Cowal Highland Gathering, known as the Cowal Games, which take place in Dunoon every August. These Games are the most popular, attracting around 3,500 competitors each year and are watched by about 20,000 spectators from all over the world.
Throwing The Hammer
Throwing the hammer is also very popular at the Highland Games. The hammer is a metal ball of 16 or 22lbs in weight, attached to a four feet shaft and thrown in a similar manner to the Olympic hammer throw.
The winner of this event is decided by who throws the hammer the furthest distance, and the ladies take part in the hammer throwing.
In the summer, Scotland has a packed calendar of traditional Highland Gatherings and the finale of the season is the Braemar Gathering, which is always graced with a member of the Royal Family. Perth Highland Games have grown over the years and are now one the most popular venues, and the Isle of Skye features the Games as one of the main events on the calendar, attracting thousands of visitors from far and wide.
The Games have grown in popularity worldwide, with many Scots emigrating, and taking the old traditions with them. Today, the Highland Games is immensely popular throughout the United States and Canada. Gatherings worldwide recognize the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) as the world governing body of Highland dancing.
If you are planning a trip to Scotland during the summer months, then you simply must have a visit to the Highland Games, it's a great day out.
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