HIGHLAND GAMES FROM SCOTLAND!!

    Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.
    The Cowal Highland Gathering, better known as the cowal Games, held in Dunoon, Scotland every August, is the largest Highland games in Scotland, attracting around 3,500 competitors and somewhere in the region of 15–20,000 spectators from around the globe. Worldwide, however, it is dwarfed by two gatherings in the United States: the 50,000 that attend Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the even larger gathering—the largest in the Northern Hemisphere—that has taken place every year since 1865 hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. This event is currently held Labor Day weekend in Pleasanton, California.

    The games are claimed to have influenced Baron Pierre de Coubertin when he was planning the revival of the Olympic Games. De Coubertin saw a display of Highland games at the Paris Exhibition of 1889.

History

    The origin of human games and sports predates recorded history. An example of a possible early games venue is at Fetteresso, although that location is technically a few miles south of the Scottish Highlands.
    It is reported in numerous books and Highland games programs, that King Malcolm III of Scotland, in the 11th century, summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich (overlooking Braemar).King Malcolm created this foot race in order to find the fastest runner in the land to be his royal messenger. Some have seen this apocryphal event to be the origin of today's modern Highland games.

    There is a document from 1703 summoning the clan of the Laird of Grant, Clan Grant. They were to arrive wearing Highland coats and "also with gun, sword, pistill [sic] and dirk". From this letter, it is believed that the competitions would have included feats of arms.
    However, the modern Highland games are largely a Victorian invention, developed after the Highland Clearances.

Heavy Events

    In their original form many centuries ago, Highland games revolved around athletic and sports competitions. Though other activities were always a part of the festivities, many today still consider Highland athletics to be what the games are all about — in short, that the athletics are the Games, and all the other activities are just entertainment. Regardless, it remains true today that the athletic competitions are at least an integral part of the events and one — the caber toss — has come to almost symbolize the Highland games.
    Although quite a range of events can be a part of the Highland athletics competition, a few have become standard.

• Caber toss: A long tapered pine pole or log is stood upright and hoisted by the competitor who balances it vertically holding the smaller end in his hands (see photo). Then the copetitor runs forward attempting to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground first. The smaller end that was originally held by the athlete then hits the ground in the 12 o'clock position measured relative to the direction of the run. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber. Cabers vary greatly in length, weight, taper, and balance, all of which affect the degree of difficulty in making a successful toss. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws approximate the ideal 12 o'clock toss on an imaginary clock.

• Stone put: This event is similar to the modern-day shot put as seen in the Olympic Games. Instead of a steel shot, a large stone of variable weight is often used. There are also some differences from the Olympic shot put in allowable techniques. There are two versions of the stone toss events, differing in allowable technique. The "Braemar Stone" uses a 20–26 lb stone for men (13–18 lb for women) and does not allow any run up to the toeboard or "trig" to deliver the stone, i.e., it is a standing put. In the "Open Stone" using a 16–22 lb stone for men (or 8–12 lb for women), the thrower is allowed to use any throwing style so long as the stone is put with one hand with the stone resting cradled in the neck until the moment of release. Most athletes in the open stone event use either the "glide" or the "spin" techniques

• Scottish hammer throw: This event is similar to the hammer throw as seen in modern-day track and field competitions, though with some differences. In the Scottish event, a round metal ball (weighing 16 or 22 lb for men or 12 or 16 lb for women) is attached to the end of a shaft about 4 feet in length and made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, or plastic. With the feet in a fixed position, the hammer is whirled about one's head and thrown for distance over the shoulder. Hammer throwers sometimes employ specially designed footwear with flat blades to dig into the turf to maintain their balance and resist the centrifugal forces of the implement as it is whirled about the head. This substantially increases the distance attainable in the throw.

• Weight throw, also known as the weight for distance event. There are actually two separate events, one using a light (28 lb for men and 14 lb for women) and the other a heavy (56 lb for men, 42 lb for masters men, and 28 lb for women) weight. The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain. The implement is thrown using one hand only, but otherwise using any technique. Usually a spinning technique is employed. The longest throw wins.

• Weight over the bar, also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 pound (4 stone) weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores.

• Sheaf toss: A bundle of straw (the sheaf) weighing 20 pounds (9 kg) for the men and 10 pounds (4.5 kg) for the women and wrapped in a burlap bag is tossed vertically with a pitchfork over a raised bar much like that used in pole vaulting. The progression and scoring of this event is similar to the Weight Over The Bar. There is significant debate among athletes as to whether the sheaf toss is in fact an authentic Highland event. Some argue it is actually a country fair event, but all agree that it is a great crowd pleaser.

• Maide Leisg(Scots Gaelic meaning 'Lazy Stick'): Trial of strength performed by two men sitting on the ground with the soles of their feet pressing against each other. Thus seated, they held a stick between their toes which they pulled against each other till one of them was raised from the ground. The oldest 'Maide Leisg' competition in the world takes place at the Carloway show and Highland Games on the Isle of Lewis.

    Many of the Heavy Events competitors in Scottish highland athletics are former high school and college track and field athletes who find the Scottish games are a good way to continue their competitive careers.
    Increasingly in the USA, the Heavy Events are attracting women and master class athletes which has led to a proliferation of additional classes in Heavy Events competitions. Lighter implements are used in the classes.

Music

    For many Highland games festival attendees, the most memorable of all the events at the games is the massing of the pipe bands. Normally held in conjunction with the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, as many as 20 or more pipe bands will march and play together. The result is a thunderous rendition of traditional favourites Scotland the Brave or Amazing Grace, and other crowd-pleasing favorites.
    It is, in fact, the music of the bagpipe which has come to symbolise music at the Games and, indeed, in Scotland itself. In addition to the massed bands, nearly all Highland games gatherings feature a wide range of piping and drumming competition, including solo piping and drumming, small group ensembles and, of course, the pipe bands themselves.
    But the pipes and drums are not the only music which can be heard at Highland games. Music at Highland games gatherings takes on a variety of forms. Many such events offer fiddling, harp circles, Celtic bands and other forms of musical entertainment, the latter usually spiced with a healthy amount of bagpipe music.

Dance

    People dance there. There were several traditional dances that were danced along to traditional music.

Secondary Events and Attractions

    At modern-day Highland Games events, a wide variety of other activities and events are generally available. Foremost among these are the clan tents and vendors of Scottish related goods. The various clan societies make the Highland games one of the main focus of their seasonal activities, usually making an appearance at as many such events as possible. Visitors can find out information about the Scottish roots and can become active in their own clan society if they wish.
    At modern games, armouries will display their collections of swords and armour, and often perform mock battles. Various vendors selling Scottish memorabilia are also present selling everything from Irn-Bru to the stuffed likeness of the Loch Ness Monster.
    Herding dog trials and exhibitions are often held, showcasing the breeder's and trainer's skills. In addition, there may be other types of Highland animals present, such as the Highland cattle.
   Various traditional and modern Celtic arts are often showcased. This could include Harper's circles, Scottish country dancing, and one or more entertainment stages. In addition, most events usually feature a pre-event ceilidh (a type of social event with traditional music, dancing, song, and other forms of entertainment).
   Various food vendors will also offer assorted types of traditional Scottish refreshment and sustenance.

Major events in Scotland

Location	Name	Details
Burntisland, Fife	Burntisland Highland Games	Second oldest in the world
Ceres, Fife	CERES HIGHLAND GAMES	Oldest Free games in the world
Crieff	Crieff Highland Games
Dunoon	Cowal Highland Gathering	Biggest Games in Scotland

Major events outside Scotland

Canada

Location	Name
Calgary, Alberta	Calgary Highland Games
Cambridge, Ontario	Cambridge Highland Games
Grande Prairie, Alberta	Grande Prairie Highland Games
Coquitlam, British Columbia	BC Highland Games
Victoria, British Columbia	Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Antigonish, Nova Scotia	Antigonish Highland Games
Almonte, Ontario	North Lanark Highland Games
Cobourg, Ontario	Cobourg Highland Games
Maxville, Ontario	Glengarry Highland Games
Sudbury, Ontario	Sudbury Celtic Festival & Highland Games
Montreal, Quebec	Montreal Highland Games

Switzerland

Location	Name
St. Ursen, Fribourg	Highland Games Swiss Championships

United States

Location	Name
Scottsboro, Alabama	North Alabama Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Eagle River, Alaska	Alaskan Scottish Highland Games
Camp Verde, Arizona	Verde Valley Highland Games
Phoenix, Arizona	Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games
Prescott, Arizona	Prescott Highland Games
Tucson, Arizona	Tucson Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Batesville, Arkansas	Arkansas Scottish Festival
Bakersfield, California	Bakersfield High Games
Santa Cruz County, California	Scottish Renaissance Festival featuring the Loch Lomond Highland Games & Celtic Gathering
Campbell, California	Campbell Highland Games
Costa Mesa, California	United Scottish Highland Gathering
Fresno, California	Fresno Highland Games
Livermore, California	Livermore Scottish Games and Celtic Celebration
Modesto, California	Modesto Highland Games
Oakland, California	Oakland Scottish Games
Pleasanton, California	Caledonian Club of San Francisco Highland Gathering
Salinas, California	Monterey Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Santa Cruz, California	Santa Cruz Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Ventura, California	Seaside Highland Games
Vista, California	San Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering
Woodland, California	Sacramento Valley Scottish Games
Elizabeth, Colorado	Elizabeth Celtic Festival
Estes Park, Colorado	Long's Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival
Highlands Ranch, Colorado	Colorado Scottish Festival
Sterling, Colorado	Sterling Celtic Festival
Goshen, Connecticut	St. Andrews Society of Connecticut Scottish Festival
Norwalk, Connecticut	Round Hill Highland Games
Scotland, Connecticut	Scotland Highland Festival
Dunedin, Florida	Dunedin Highland Games
Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Southeast Florida Scottish Festival and Games
Green Cove Springs, Florida	Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games
Ocala, Florida	Ocala Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Panama City, Florida	Panama City Highland Games
Pensacola, Florida	Pensacola Highland Games
Tallahassee, Florida	Tallahassee Highland Games
Sarasota, Florida	Sarasota Highland Games
Winter Springs, Florida	Central Florida Scottish Highland Games
Zephyrhills, Florida	Zephyrhills Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Blairsville, Georgia	Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Chickamauga, Georgia	Appalachian Celtic Festival
Anderson, South Carolina	Loch Hartwell Highland Games
Ringgold, Georgia	Ringold Highland Games
Savannah, Georgia	Savannah Scottish Games and Highland Festival
Stone Mountain, Georgia	Stone Mountain Highland Games
Honolulu, Hawaii	Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Boise, Idaho	Treasure Valley Highland Games
Oakbrook, Illinois	Illinois St. Andrew Society Highland Games
Springfield, Illinois	Shamrock Games
Springfield, Illinois	Springfield Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Columbus, Indiana	Columbus, Indiana Scottish Festival
Fort Wayne, Indiana	Indiana Highland Games
South Bend, Indiana	Celtic Festival and Bryan Verkler Invitational Highland Games
Davenport, Iowa	Celtic Festival and Highland Games of the Quad-Cities
McPherson, Kansas	McPherson Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Wakeeney, Kansas	Th' Gatherin' Fire Festival O'Beltane
Carrollton, Kentucky	Kentucky Scottish Weekend
Glasgow, Kentucky	Glasgow Highland Games
Murray, Kentucky	Western Kentucky Highlands Festival
Jackson, Louisiana	Highland Games of Louisiana
Minden, Louisiana	Tartan Day Celebration
West Monroe, Louisiana	Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival
Belfast, Maine	Maine Celtic Celebration
Brunswick, Maine	Maine Highland Games
Elkton, Maryland	Fair Hill Scottish Games
Frederick, Maryland	Frederick Celtic Festival
Havre De Grace, Maryland	Stepping Stone Museum Highland Games
St. Leonard, Maryland	Southern Maryland Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering
McHenry, Maryland	McHenry Higland Festival
Snow Hill, Maryland	Chesapeake Celtic Festival
Florence, Massachusetts	Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Greenfield, Massachusetts	Western Massachusetts Highland Games and Festival
Alma, Michigan	Alma Highland Festival and Games
Kalamazoo, Michigan	Kalamazoo Highland Games
Livonia, Michigan	St. Andrews Society of Detroit Highland Games
Saline, Michigan	Saline Highland Games
Farmington, Minnesota	Minnesota Scottish Fair
Moorhead, Minnesota	Celtic Festival
Gulfport, Mississippi	Highlands and Islands Games on the Gulf Coast
Jackson, Mississippi	Celtic Fest Mississippi
Buffalo, Missouri	Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Festival
Riverside, Missouri	Kansas City Highland Games
St. Charles, Missouri	Missouri Tartan Day Festivities
Hamilton, Montana	Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival
Las Vegas, Nevada	Las Vegas Celtic Gathering
Reno, Nevada	Reno Celtic Celebration
Lincoln, New Hampshire	New Hampshire Highland Games
Albuquerque, New Mexico	Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Altamont, New York	Capital District Scottish Games
Amherst, New York	Amherst Museum Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Old Westbury, New York	Long Island Scottish Games
Greensboro, North Carolina	Triad Highland Games
Hendersonville, North Carolina	Foothills Highland Games and Festival
Huntersville, North Carolina	Loch Norman Highland Games
Laurinburg, North Carolina	Scotland County Highland Games
Linville, North Carolina	Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Mint Hill, North Carolina	Mint Hill Highland Games
Waxhaw, North Carolina	Waxhaw Scottish Highland Games
Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Winston-Salem Celtic Music Festival and Highland Games
Hartville, Ohio	Brigadoon Beltane Festival
Wellington, Ohio	Ohio Scottish Festival
Tulsa, Oklahoma	Oklahoma Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Yukon, Oklahoma	Scottish Heritage Festival and Highland Games
Athena, Oregon	Athena Caledonian Games
Baker City, Oregon	Eastern Oregon Highland Games
Gresham, Oregon	Portland Highland Games
Madras, Oregon	High Desert Celtic Festival and Games
Winston, Oregon	Douglas County Celtic Highland Games
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	Bethlehem Celtic Classic
Edinboro, Pennsylvania	Edinboro Highland Games
Ligonier, Pennsylvania	Ligonier Highland Games
Manheim, Pennsylvania	Celtic Fling and Highland Games
Richmond, Rhode Island	Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival
Clover, South Carolina	Clover Scottish Games
Greenville, South Carolina	Greenville Scottish Highland Games
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina	Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering
Rapid City, South Dakota	Black Hills Dakota Gathering of the Clans
Gatlinburg, Tennessee	Gatlinburg Scottish Highland Games
Jackson, Tennessee	Celtic Fest
Arlington, Texas	Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Bedford, Texas	Bedford Celtic Heritage Festival
Helotes, Texas	San Antonio Highland Games
Houston, Texas	Houston Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Salado, Texas	Salado Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games
Lehi, Utah	Utah Highland Games
Payson, Utah	Payson Scottish Festival
Delaplane, Virginia	Virginia Scottish Games and Festival
Leesburg, Virginia	Potomac Celtic Festival
Lanexa, Virginia	Williamsburg Scottish Festival
Lexington, Virginia	Lexington Scots Irish Festival
Mechanicsville, Virginia	Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Radford, Virginia	Radford Highlander Festival
Enumclaw, Washington	Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games
Bellingham, Washington	Bellingham Highland Games
Graham, Washington	Tacoma Highland Games
Greenbank, Washington	Whidbey Island Highland Games
Kelso, Washington	Kelso Hilander Festival and Games
Mount Vernon, Washington	Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Prosser, Washington	Prosser Scottish Festival
Puyallup, Washington	Scottish American Festival
Spokane, Washington	Spokane Highland Games
Bridgeport, West Virginia	North Central West Virginia Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Milwaukee Highland Games and Festival
Waukesha, Wisconsin	Wisconsin Highland Games
Gillette, Wyoming	Wyoming Celtic Festival
Jackson, Wyoming	Jackson Hole Scottish Festival