The Highland Games

Opening Ceremony for the Highland Games in Glasgow

In early June we traveled to Gasgow Scotland to enjoy a Scottish tradition, the Highland Games. Our friend Susie was here visiting and we were keen to include her in some traditional festivities.

The Highland Games are held across Scotland in celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and the Scottish Highlands. The games include heavy and unique Scottish athletics including the Caber toss which requires throwing a long tapered pole, the Stone Put, the Scottish hammer throw and more. The event is also characterized by pipers and dancers bringing scottish bagpipe music and Gaelic dance.

The Scottish National Champion and the Stone Put

Weight throw

Demonstrations of traditional dance took place regularly

The Caber toss begins like this.

Caber toss, how far can you throw a tree?

This was a part of the Worlds Strongest Man Competition.

In addition to the Highland Games there was also an International Strongest Man Competition on the field that included some incredible exhibitions: holding an automobile aloft, running with a large bolder, and a race carrying two large whiskey barrels.

Susie joined in the games for an audience participation event: The Welly Toss (Wellington Boot). She did quite well, was the first contestant, and was interviewed and filmed for television.

The "Welly"