Man with bagpipe ()
Scotland is famous for kilts, William Wallace, whiskey and, of course, the Highland Games. There are multiple theories behind the origins of the Highland Games. Some believe that the games originated in Ireland over 4,000 years ago and came to Scotland (Scotti) in the fourth and fifth centuries through periodic migrations. Some believe that the games originated in the Middle Ages in Ireland based on 12th-century Irish literature and were similar to the Olympic games. No matter what legend you believe, it is a well-established fact that the Games as we know them today essentially began in the 1800s. In the modern era, the Games celebrate Celtic and Scottish culture.
In 2023, there will be over 50 Games occurring across Scotland beginning in May and ending in September. The largest and most famous of the Games are in Braemar and have been held since 1832. In 1848, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert attended the Braemar Games and, with their mere presence, made the Games the “in” thing to do. No matter what Games you attend, there are several events to keep your eyes peeled for: Caber tossing, hammer tossing, pipe playing, stone putting, tug-o-war and racing, just to name a few. Because of the simplicity behind a lot of these events, you could even participate in these games at home or at a nearby park. You just need a hill or some rope for popular events such as hill racing and tug-o-war.
Fun fact: A caber is a long wooden pole, similar in size to a telegraph pole, being between 16 and 20 feet in length and weighing up to 132 pounds.
The Games not only contain fun and competitive events but also have several traditions: Kilts, dancing, drumming and haggis hurling. The Royal Scottish Highland Games Association has made it a rule that all contestants of the “Heavy Events” must wear a kilt while competing. You can read all of the official rules at rshga.org. Traditionally, only men were allowed to compete in the dancing competitions. However, today, upwards of 95 percent of dancing competitors are female, according to “Cottages and Castles.”
Fun fact: Haggis is the national dish of Scotland. Haggis consists of sheep’s pluck (heart, liver and lungs) minced with onions, salt, spices, suet and oatmeal, traditionally encased in sheep’s stomach, but can also be encased in an artificial casing.
If you cannot make it to Scotland this year, you can attend Highland Games around the world. In France, the Caber is sometimes exchanged for a giant champagne cork; the most northern games occur in Norway and the most southern games occur in New Zealand, according to Scotland.org. The first Highland Games in the U.S. occurred in New York in the 1800s. The first one I encountered was while we were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas about half an hour down the road in Salado, the Salado Scottish Gathering of the Clans and Highland Games, but you can attend one in almost every State.
The Highland Games contain not only events and traditions, but often animals, clan tents, arts and crafts areas and, of course, delicious food and games. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone in the family to enjoy at the Scotland Highland Games.
