Scotland's Highland Games

THE HIGHLAND GAMES

The origins of the Highland games can be traced back to the 11th century.

king Malcolm the third,who ruled Scotland from 1058 until 1093,organised an event to find the fastest and strongest men in the the kingdom to carry his messages across the land.

The games carried on all over Scotland until 1746 when the English defeated the Scottish at the battle of culloden.

The games were banned by law along with playing the bagpipes,wearing of the kilt,gathering of people and carrying arms.

The new laws changed highland culture forever and destroyed clan culture.

At the end of the 18th Century,these laws were repealed, Highland Societies began forming, and in 1781 the first society "Gathering" was held at Falkirk. The success of this venture led to the Gathering of the Clans and the Highland Games as we know them today.

By the end of the 1820s Games were once again being held throughout Scotland.

Typical events at a highland games include

Putting the Shot: probably the oldest of the heavyweight sports, putting an iron sphere of 16 or 22lbs.

Tossing the Caber:The most recognisable trademark of Scottish Highland games.

Throwing the Weight:28lbs for distance or 56lbs for height.

Throwing the Hammer: with an iron sphere weighting either 16 or 22lbs on a bamboo shaft.

The Great Highland Bagpipes: competitions of solo piping and of the large Pipe Bands.

Track Events - Running, Cycling, Jumping and Tug-o-War.

Highland dancing: solo pairs and team dance competitions.

The Braemar Gathering, is the biggest and most prestigious Scottish Highland Games event. Queen Elizabeth II is Patron of the Braemar Gathering, which not only attracts a great crowd but also enjoys annual attendance from the Royal Family.The Braemar and Lonach Gatherings attract thousands of spectators. Smaller town games have equal appeal however - by their very nature, they are more intimate than the larger events.

The pictures in this hub are from my local Highland games in Ardrossan.....jimmy