Though the Blood is Strong,
the Heart is Highland

A cheerful breeze danced its way across the field towards me. In its wake colorful standards fluttered proudly followed by the strains of the bagpipes. The skirling grew louder and by the time the pipe band marched by, my blood was pounding through my veins as forcefully as the drums accompanying the brightly bedecked pipers. I bent down to grasp a steel ring from which hung a 56 lb weight and slowly swung it to and fro to loosen my shoulder joint. Putting the weight down, I turned and watched Big Iain Campbell, weighing nearly 300 pounds, take his place beneath a bar suspended 15 feet above him. Hiking up his kilt a bit, he swung the heavy weight back and forth several times between his bent knees before heaving it high up over his shoulder and over the bar. Throwing up his hands he let loose the Campbell war cry, "Curachan!"

"Bloody Campbell," I muttered under my breath.

"Och, not to worry man," Dougall MacGregor flashed me a toothy grin. "Everyone kens a Campbell canna best a MacGregor in weight for height." He clapped my shoulder then stepped up to his place beneath the bar.

"Ah, but that's not the question? The question is can a MacGregor best a MacDonald?" I planted my arms firmly across my chest and took in a deep breath of air. The smell of meat pies met my nose reminding my stomach of how hungry I was. It was followed by the scent of ale and the strong smell of sweat from the men around me. The ground shook as Dougall's weight hit the ground. The bar followed with a bounce. Dougall stared at the ground in disbelief, massaging his shoulder. The bar was reset and measured and Dougall took his place again. "Take your time on this one Dougall," I called out to him. "Up and over." The heavy weight thudded to the ground just shy of the bar followed by another miss.

While the bar was raised and measured again the churning in my stomach began to grow. "Fifteen feet, six inches which would break the record," the judge announced to the crowd. "Angus MacDonald, 15'6" for the record."

I walked over and stood behind the bar running my hand through my hair while mentally calculating just how much effort it would take to hoist the 56 pounds over the bar. "Up and over, up and over," I repeated to myself. I flexed my fingers in my glove and took my place beneath the bar. Planting my feet widely apart, I squatted down and hiked my kilt up high placing my left hand on my left thigh. I breathed deep letting each exhale out as a puff between clenched teeth as I focused all my energy into my center. The churning in my stomach grew. "Up and over, up and over." The steel ring was hard in my right hand. I pulled it forward and then swung it back and forth, back and forth, between my legs, each time adding to the momentum. My stomach muscles tightened and I pressed down on my thigh with my left hand. My legs began to straighten while my right arm swung forward up over my head, stretching to its limits as I arched backwards and released the ring. Up, up and over. The shuddering of the turf was lost in the cheers of the crowd.

"A new amateur world record!" boomed the announcer. I was surrounded by bright colored kilts and hands pounding me on the back in congratulation. Big Iain Campbell walked up and gave me a serious glare. He laid his forehead against mine and said, "Hey Angus, next time try to put a little more effort into it. The crowd might start to think this is easy." He smiled and shook my hand. "Let's go toss a few Cabers. I'll tell you what; loser buys the beer."

The Origins of the Highland Games

The Weight Toss for Height is just one of several colorful events making up today's Highland Games which recall the traditional clan gatherings of old that included not only athletic competition but also piping, dancing, feasting, gathering of the extended clan and a market as well. All of these components still exist today, making the Games a living history rich in tradition.

In past times it was the practice of clansmen to compete for positions of honor by impressing rivals (and the lasses) with a test of strength and skill. Competitions were held within the clan itself and also with rival clans. In turn these contests sharpened martial abilities, accuracy, strength and stamina. These same rival clans battled amongst themselves for centuries, neither forgetting nor forgiving ancient wounds except for a few occasions when they would unite to fight a common cause. Scottish immigrants brought their games with them throughout the world wherever they settled. For the most part, today's competition is between individuals, not clans. However, if you pay close attention, you can catch glimpses of some of the ancient feuds.

English proscriptions forbidding highlanders to bear arms forced the Scots to develop fighting skills by alternative means. They trained by throwing heavy stones and hammers. The Caber Toss dates from the 16th century. It is thought to have evolved from the practice of breaching fortifications and rivers. Most games include the following events:

• Caber Toss-- A long, straight pole (ranging from 50 to 130 lb at 14 to 20 feet long) is lifted and balanced in the vertical position against the competitor's shoulder. The competitor then runs down the field building momentum and speed and throws the caber hoping to flip it end over end, falling so that it points away from the athlete. The caber must be turned to score.
• Weight Toss for Height-- A 56 lb weight attached to a steel ring is held in one hand and tossed up and backwards over a pole vault bar.
• Weight Throw for Distance-- A weight attached to a chain and ring handle is thrown one handed by the competitor. Most athletes spin before throwing the weight, but any style throw may be used so long as the athlete is standing after the throw.
• Hammer Throw-- A steel ball attached to a 50" cane is swung around the head three times and then thrown for distance. The feet of the competitor may not move until after the hammer is released. Both 22 and 16 lb hammers are used.
• Braemar Stone-- The competitor must remain stationary and throw the stone; identical with shot put.
• The Kilted Mile, Up-hill Foot Race and Tug-o'-War are often included.

Bag Pipe Competitions

Piping and dancing were also very prominent at a clan gathering and are an integral part of any Games. The clans took great pride in their pipers and educated them well. The clan march was a source of identification and pride. Pipers not only led them into battle by rousing great courage in the men, but they also sounded the advance, the retreat and other important field orders. Pipers composed laments to remember events and individuals. Piping to a guest was a cornerstone of 'Highland Hospitality'.

Competitions are for:

• individual piping
• pipe band
• drumming
• and drum major.

Just as the bagpipes pay tribute to past glories, so do the Highland Dancers. With grace and speed the dancers compete for precision, timing and overall performance. Competitors are divided into five classes, performing dances dating back to AD 1000. The oldest Highland dance is the Highland Fling, having originated as a victory dance originally done on the hat of one's adversary. The Ghillie Callum or solo Sword Dance also portrays victory after battle. Symbolic of winning a duel, the opponents' swords are crossed on the ground and the winner merrily leaps and dances about them in triumph. Because it is so strenuous, Highland dancing has historically been used to check the endurance of games participants and soldiers. It has only recently been removed from the drills of the Scottish military regiments.

No Highland Games would be complete without Scottish vendors and food. A vast array of merchandise will be for sale with hard to find imports from Great Britain, books, jewelry, music, collectables and clothing. Many games feature Kilt Makers which will measure you for a custom-made kilt available in a multitude of tartans. The food is a special treat; meat pies, bangers and fish and chips are the favorites. Scones, short bread and lusty ales are popular also.

Entertainment is non-stop and offers something for every taste. In addition to pipes and drums, other forms of Celtic music abound. Folksingers, traditional instrumentalists and top, progressive, Celtic influenced, pop/rock bands all find a home on the field. Lectures, genealogy, clan tents and living history groups add to the magic. There's definitely something here for everyone.

Want to go to the Highland Games? Here's where to find them.

• The Scottish Banner
  The largest Scottish newspaper in the world outside Scotland publishes monthly. Calendar of events and games in North America and Australia, articles of Scottish interest, advertisements for Scottish clans, events and merchandise.
  Phone: (716) 754-8950
  fax: (716) 754-9020.
  Web: http://www.localnet.com/~scotban/
  E-mail: mailto:scotbanner@aol.com
• The Highlander
  The Magazine of Scottish Heritage publishes seven times a year. Calendar of events and games, Highland Services Directory, classifieds, articles of Scottish interest, advertisements for Scottish clans, events and merchandise.
  Phone: (708) 382-1035
  fax: (708) 382-0322
  
• U.S. SCOTS
  The Magazine of the Scottish-American Community publishes quarterly. Articles of Scottish interest.
  Department GExch97
  P.O.Box 20217
  Columbus, OH 43220.
  Web: http://www.infinet.com/~dlaird/usscots/usscots.html

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This page was last updated Tuesday, 27-May-2003 13:20:55 EDT