The Highland Games By Jennifer Pybis

Its earliest history…. oHighland games have been held in Scotland since its earliest history. One of the first was at the end of the 11 th century, when King Malcolm Ceanmore became concerned about the way in which important news and documents were delivered to his highland retreat. oHowever annual gatherings never began to take place until 1820 as part of the revival of Tartan and Highland culture. oIn 1848 the Braemer games (the most famous of the summer meetings) were attended by Queen Victoria. oBy the time of 1848 the games were much the same as they are today, including events such as tossing the caber, and hammer throwing, that are still a part of the Highland Games today.

The events … Tossing the caber: this is most recognisable trademark of the highland games. the caber is not thrown for distance but for style. The games officials will set the caber on its end with the thickest portion in the air. The athlete rests the caber against his shoulder and, clasping his arms around it, performs the difficult task of lifting it up off the ground whilst keeping it perfectly balanced. When he's achieved that, he will give it a quick flick up and move his hands under the narrow end. He's now ready to throw it.

The events… Throwing the weight: this is split into 2 different events for distance and for height. For distance : the thrower grasps the weight in one hand, spins round and throws it as far as possible. More accurately, the thrower has a distance of nine feet (2.7m) between a peg and a trig. Grasping the weight and facing the trig, he stands beside that peg and swings the weight to the side and then round behind him. He's now ready to start his throw which consists of three waltzing turns, gathering momentum on each. On the third pirouette and at exactly the right moment, he heaves the weight as far as he can. A protective cage extends around the sides and rear of the thrower to safeguard the public!

The events…. Tossing the weight continued: The thrower will saunter up to the weight - which is lying underneath the bar - and without even a glance upwards will suddenly heave the weight up with one hand where it soars through the air and thuds back down into the ground only inches from the thrower. The bars that the throwers aim to get the weight over is frequently snapped as the weight lands on it, and so there are many bars brought for replacements during the games.

Dancing… The Highland Games is not only for men to take part in sport, there are many dancing competitions which take place at the games. Highland Dancing is regarded as being one of the most sophisticated forms of national dancing in the world The dance is performed on the same spot throughout and this is held to be because the clansmen of old danced it on their targe (leather-covered, studded shield). Another more prosaic explanation is that the dance evolved as a solo performance of the reel.

The Highland Games… There are over 50 different games meetings each summer. They are a grand social occasion, as well as a display of athletism. The athletes who take part in the Highland Games require, skill, strength and endurance to compete in these time honoured events. In the spirit of the traditional Scot, these competitions combine the attributes of the strength athlete with the fellowship of clansman to promote and perpetrate the heart of the Scottish festival. “Today highland Games have grown into celebrations of all aspects of Scottish Culture and are celebrated throughout the world!”