My presentation titled Highland Games was a university assignment to present Scotland from a certain point of view. Besides mentioning a few datas about the Games, I thought that pictures are more talkitive in the case of the seperate events.

1. Highland Games
Kuzmányiné Nyeste Gabriella

2. Highland Games in general
 Held throughout the year in Scotland and
other countries
 Celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture
and heritage
 Main emblems: bagpipes, kilt, heavy
events
 Paris Exhibition (1889) – Olympic Games

3. Highland Games in general
 Scotland’s largest Highland games:
Cowal Games (Cowal Highland
Gathering) – 3,500 competitors, 15-
20,000 spectators
 World’s largest Highland games:
1.Pleasanton (California) hosted by the
Caledonian Club of San Francisco
2.Grandfather Mountain (North Carolina)

4. History
 Origin predates recorded history
 Legend or fact: King Malcolm III of
Scotland summoned contestants to a foot
race in the 11th century (royal
messenger)
 Modern Highland games – 1822 revival
(George IV), Victorian invention

5. Events – Heavy Events
 Integral part of Highland games – athletic
and sports competitions
 Competitors: former high school and
college track and field athletes
 Mainly in the USA – increasing number of
women as participants
 Standard heavy events

6. Caber toss

7. Stone put
Braemar Stone Open Stone
9-11,5kg/6-8 kg 7-10kg/3,5-5,5 kg

8. Scottish hammer throw
Round metal ball (7-10kg/5,5-7kg) +
wood shaft (1,2m)

9. Weight throw (light/heavy)
Light – cc. 12,5kg/6,5kg metal weight
Heavy – cc. 25,5kg/12,5kg metal weight

10. Weight over the bar
cc. 25,5kg weight + handle
3 attempts/height

11. Sheaf toss
Sheaf = bundle of straw in bag 9kg/4,5kg
Tool = pitchfork
Country fair event???

12. Maide Leisg (‘Lazy Stick’)

13. Other Sporting Events
 Running
 Wrestling
 Tug-of-war

14. Events - Music
 Pipe bands
 Piping and drumming competitions (solo,
small groups and bands)
 Other: fiddling, harp circles, Celtic bands

16. Events - Dance
 World Championship Highland Dancing
Competition (Cowal Gathering)

17. Secondary events and attractions
 Armour display, mock battles
 Celtic arts
 Herding dog trials
 Clan tents
 Vendors of Scottish related goods
 Food vendors offering traditional Scottish
refreshment and food

18. Major Events in Scotland

19. Sources
 Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_games
 Visit Scotland website –
http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/see-and-
do/events3/highlandgames/
 Scotland website -
http://www.scotland.org/culture/sport/highland-
games/

20. THANK YOU!