Scottish Games & Festivals
Scottish culture is thick with festivals and heavy throwing games. These events are celebrated throughout the world to recognize a culture that has produced games that have appeared in the Olympics and in many grade school track-and-field events. Many of these festivals and games have been around for centuries.
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Highland Games
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Throughout the year, in various regions around Scotland, the Highland Games are a cultural hit. Scottish culture is celebrated in countries throughout the world as people recognize their ancestry or just show an appreciation for Scotland and its occupants. The bagpipes and kilt were popular from the beginning of the games and are now known throughout the world to represent Scottish culture. The caber toss and other events involving propelling heavy objects are center stage at the Highland Games. Drumming, dancing and piping spur the athletes on, and the musicians participate in musical competitions as well.
Scottish Christmas Walk
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The Scottish Christmas Walk has been a holiday tradition since 1970 . According to Scottish Christmas Walk website, more than 100 Scottish clans and 30,000 individuals come from throughout the country to take part in the festivities. The walk features a parade, a Christmas marketplace, a heather and greens sale, a children's tea party and a taste of Scotland, which aims to celebrate the nation as the "land of food and drink." The scent of heather is a common theme throughout the event.
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Caber Toss
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As one of the events at the Highland Games, the caber toss is a part of the cultural identity of Scotland. The game involves running with the end of a tree log cradled in your hands and resting against your shoulder; the other end is high in the air. The high end is supposed to hit the ground as the log flips over. The winner flips it over to rest in the most accurate spot, which is directly in front of the tosser. The game is thought to have originated from Scottish people creating bridges over rivers.
Scottish Hammer Throw
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In the Scottish hammer throw, a 16-lb. hammer is thrown as far as possible. The hammer is a metal ball at the end of a spring steel wire handle, which is approximately 4 feet long. Each competitor turns three times with the hammer in hand before she lets it go. The event has been an Olympic sport since 1900 and is a regular competition for school track-and-field meets.
Texas Scottish Festival
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Scores of Scottish games and festivals take place annually in the United States, and the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games is one of the largest. The event is held for three days at the beginning of June at the Maverick Stadium in Arlington. Activities are similar to the Highland Games in Scotland. The Texas event is known for exceptional live music. Some of the most famous Scottish musicians have performed there, including Brian McNeill, Alasdair Fraser, Alex Beaton, Natalie MacMaster and Isla St. Clair.
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References
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