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While the games still contain a very competitive,
the spectacle of Highland dancing and pipe bands combined
with the tradition and excitement of the occasion make the
Games a real highlight for any visitor lucky enough to be
in Scotland at the right time.
The original of the Games are like most traditions lost
in the mists of time - however the popularity of the Games
is as strong as ever especially in the USA where there are
many more Highland Games held than in Scotland!!
A typical Highland Games will include pipe band
competitions, highland dancing and traditional feats of strength
such as tossing the caber, throwing the hammer, the shot putt
and a tug-of-war.
Braemar
Braemar is probably best known for its Highland Games, the
annual Braemar Gathering which takes place on the first Saturday
in September. First held in the 11th Century as a contest
between local clans, Queen Victoria became a regular attender.
Successive generations of royals since have maintained that
tradition.
The modern Braemar Gathering includes a range of traditional
and musical events together with stalls and sideshows. Tickets
for seating in the stands should be booked in advance. Otherwise entry on the day is available for standing.
Lonach
In recent years Billy Connolly, the famous Scottish comedian,
has become the patron of the Lonach Gathering. This small
local Highland Games event in the village of Bellabeg, close
to Connolly's Highland estate at Candacraig has attracted
such celebrities as Dame Judi Dench, Steve Martin and Robin
Williams. Photographers and visitors alike have appreciated
the effort that these stars have made to dress in kilts and
participate in the events.
Connolly won over the hearts of the locals by adopting the
role of the laird and taking part in the traditional march
of the Men of Lonach, which has taken place annually for the
last 159 years.
Ballater
The Highland Games is undoubtedly the most important visitors
event which takes place in the Ballater year. The Games attract
many hundreds of visitors from around the world. Being held
on a Thursday some local people (shopkeepers, hoteliers etc)
are unable to attend but local children are there in strength
and happily participate in many events.
It's a day when kilts are worn by all who are entitled to
do so and by many who are not - especially by those who are
not! Its a happy day and - tempting fate, - the weather, over
the years, has been kind.
Aboyne
Though in point of age the Aboyne Games cannot compare with
their sister gatherings of Braemar and Lonach, they are of
a respectable antiquity, having been instituted in 1867 and
continued without a break, except for two world wars, ever
since.
The Aboyne Dress, worn by girl dancers for 'The Lilt', is
named for the Aboyne Highland Games in Scotland where it is
forbidden for the women to wear the kilt.
The programme, originally a comparatively simple one in1867
when it originated-there were only two flat races, 100 yards
and quartermile has grown till it now includes nearly all
the major athletic competitions. Since time and space are
limited it takes considerable organisation and effort to crowd
in all the events.
Inverness
A wonderful mixture of new attractions and traditional events
ensures that the City of Inverness Highland Games is always
one of the highlights of any summer in the Highlands. As usual
the heart of the City of Inverness Highland Games will be
the traditional Heavy athletic events, the Highland Piping
competitions and the Highland Dancing competitions in Bught
Park. It is often said that records were meant to be broken
at the Inverness Games and it is a fact that Bught Park Stadium
has seen some wonderful moments over the years.
www.invernesshighlandgames.com
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