The Scottish Highland Games Highland Games as practiced today were perpetuated by the clans of Northern Scotland but began far earlier among the Celts of Scotia (the name which Latin writers gave to Ireland). Several accounts credit an 11th century Scottish king, Malcolm Canmore, with having started the first Highland Games; but a single hill-race up a mountain in Aberdeenshire can hardly compare with the great variety of athletics which the Celts of Scotia, like the Greeks at Olympia, enjoyed for many generations.

Ancient traditions insist that the same kind of contests in running foot-races, leaping, vaulting, wrestling, lifting heavy weights and putting stones (as one sees today) were begun in pre-Christian times. Several localities in both Eire and modern-day Northern Ireland were places that hosted such Games; but the most important ones were those at Teltown, in County Meath, at Emain Macha, near Armagh in Ulster and at Carmain in Leinster.

The first of these, at Teltown, were "funeral games" which honored the dead foster mother of a half-mortal, half-deity known as Lùgh, the Celtic God of Light. From Lùgh and from nasa, a word meaning Games, comes the modern Gaelic word for August, Lùghnasa, still the traditional month for Highland Games in Scotland. According to The Book of Leinster, the Teltown Games continued until the late 1700s. They were briefly revived at Dublin in 1924.

These Celtic peoples, known then as the Scotti, but now as Highland Scots, crossed the North Channel of the Irish Sea in the 4th and 5th centuries and also at the time of St. Columba, who brought Christianity to Scotland in the 6th. They settled on the coast of Argyll, which they called Dal Rìada, after their former home in Antrim. As all immigrants do, they brought with them their skills, their customs, their pastimes. Soon they were staging Games of foot-racing, horse-racing and wrestling every St. Michael's Day, September 29th. At each of several sites the event was known as the Oda, also spelled Odaigh, believed to be a Norse word, taken into Gaelic.

Other contests in racing and associated athletics began at religious fairs on various holy days as well as at cattle fairs on the quarter days of Scotland's calendar. Soon,  sporting contests were taking place at the conclusion of military musters called "wappinschaws", held by the various clans. The clans' warriors needed to test their physical prowess in much the same way as modern soldiers engage in physical training. It was at one of these in 1574 that "tossing of ye barr" (caber-tossing) first appeared on record.

Clan chiefs and monarchs (including King Malcolm Canmore) used such musters for selecting the best runners to serve as couriers. Thus, when one examines this early background of history and tradition, one can see how wrong it is to say that King Malcolm of the Big-Head started the Games! Competitions in piping, fiddling and playing the clàrsach or Gaelic harp had long taken place within the territories of the clans. For example, the MacLeods on the Isle-of-Skye held piping contests in the Great Hall of Dunvegan Castle. The first piping contests to be held in the Scottish Lowlands were not seen until the year 1781. These took place at a huge cattle fair known as the Falkirk Tryst, where all the pipers were Highland drovers who had brought their cattle down from the North.

The Act of Proscription, passed after Prince Charles Edward Stuart's defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, forbade Highlanders to bear arms, to play the bagpipe, to speak their ancient, classical language of Gaelic, to wear tartan, or even to gather in groups. Almost 40 years elapsed before the Act of Proscription was repealed. During that time, while the native Gaels were being burnt out of their homes and being replaced by Lowland sheep-farmers and their sheep, much of Scotland's predominantly Gaelic culture was lost.

The Scottish Highland games or Heavy Events are the modern continuation of an ancient Celtic tradition. Each event tests the athletes strength and skill. It may seem that the sport requires brute strength alone, but developing good technique is essential to succeeding in the games.

Each athlete wears a kilt and Scottish hose, yes real men do wear kilts. If you have any doubts just show up at a game. Beginners start out in "C" class. The only class which doesn't have to wear a kilt. No one stays a "C" for long they are encouraged to move up to the next class. The "B" class is an intermediary class. Once the Athlete has achieved a high degree of proficiency he is moved up to the "A" class. There is a women's class. The women do all the events that the men do, only they use proportionately lighter weights. There is also a "masters" class. It is for men over fifty. These are amateur classes, but there is a pro class, people who are paid to compete. If you ever get a chance to see the pros compete, go. They are incredible to watch.

Tossing the Caber

A caber is a wooden pole which ranges from 65 to 130 pounds and is 15 to 19 feet long. The caber is "picked", the athlete runs with it and then tosses it end over end. The toss is scored on accuracy not distance.

Weight for Distance

There are two weights that are thrown for distance, the 56 lbs. and the 28 lbs. The weights are on a chain. The athlete spins before releasing the weight and is scored on distance.

Putting the Stone

There are two events involving stones. The first is the open stone which is similar to the modern shot put. A 16 pound rounded stone is used.

The second event is the Braemar or standing style. A 22 pond stone is used and it is thrown without a run-up.

The Scottish Hammer

The Scottish hammer is similar to the Olympic wire hammer. The hammer head is a round metal ball on a rattan cane handle. Two different weight hammers are thrown, the light (16 lbs.) and the heavy (22 lbs.)

The Farmers Walk

This event requires only brute strength and endurance. The athlete picks up two weights, each weighing 150 pounds and walks around pylons. The winner is the athlete who walks the farthest.

Links :

www.tartans.com for "The Gathering of the Clans" - devoted to all things Scottish.

Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Festival Listings

www.maclachlans.org/games.html

Callander World Highland Games 2000
www.lenymede.demon.co.uk/highland-festival.html