The Scots have been immigrating to Canada for over 200 years, so it's no surprise that Scottish highland games are a major summer event in communities across Canada.
Scottish highland games combine athletics, highland dancing, Celtic music, pipe band competitions, sometimes a tattoo, and usually at least one ceilidh. Other events range from clan tents, to animal shows, and tug-of-war competitions.
Scottish Sports Events
The Scottish sports events, usually called the heavy events, are quite unique:
- the caber toss - running with a 22-foot log upright and tossing it so it lands on its other end. The caber weighs about 125 pounds.
- the stone throw - throwing a 25-pound rock, shot-put style
- the sheaf toss - using a pitchfork to throw a feedbag of straw over a bar.
Scottish Highland Dancing
Another great feature of Scottish highland games are the highland dancing competitions. In the 11th and 12th centuries, highland dances were athletic celebrations of triumph, or war dances, performed by men. Nowadays highland dances are mostly performed by women, and require strength, agility, and artistry. Some of the dances you'll see in competition are the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, and reels.
Scottish Music Events
Musical events are also key to Scottish highland games.
- piping - competitions by solo players on the bagpipes. Tuning, timing, execution, and expression are judged.
- drumming - a solo event
- drum major - a drum major sets the tempo for a band by swinging the mace. In competition drum majors are judged on full dress, general deportment, and how they flourish the mace.
- pipe band - in these competitions, the pipe bands are required to play a medley of tunes, depending on the grade of the band. The higher the level of competition, the longer the band must play.
- massed band - this ceremony puts everything together. The pipe bands parade, performing maneuvers and playing popular Scottish bagpipe tunes.
