Scottish Highland Games

(Image above us a capture of a Highland Dancing competition.)
During the period May to September each year a wide range of communities throughout Scotland hold a Highland Games event. The two largest and most prestigious Games events are:
  • Cowal Highland Games at Dunoon, about 34 miles N.W. of Glasgow, a distance which includes a ferry crossing.This event takes place during the final weekend in August.
  • Braemar Gathering at Braemar, a village located about 58 miles west of Aberdeen. The British Royals are usually represented at this event which is situated relatively close to Balmoral Castle.The event is held on the first Saturday of September.
Heavy Athletics

The Games in their current form date from the 19th century with each event having a range of competitions which may include:
  • Caber Tossing
  • Hammer Throw
  • Shot Put
  • Tug o'war
  • Hill Race
  • Highland Dancing
  • Solo Piping
  • Masses Bands
  • Junior Athletics
  • Wrestling
  • Senior Athletics.
Solo Piping

There may side shows such as livestock competitions, small dog racing and haggis throwing.

Such events typically last the part of a day. Visitors wishing to attend a Games should find a suitable event by using the web search term 'Scottish Highland Games Events Calendar' .

Pipe Band en-route to Games event.


Refreshments-Arbroath Smokies


© Nigel P Cole/Catswhiskerstours Limited

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap...
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Pri...
Read more