Clan Cameron Association North America
Grandfather Mountain Branch

The Games

The Highland Games as we know them today have been celebrated since the early 19th century, but there are ancient traditions and gatherings that can be associated with them.  Indeed, many trace their origins back to the 11th century and Malcom III, son of the murdered King Duncan (the inspiration for the story of Macbeth).  It is said that Malcolm organized a foot race near Braemar to appoint the fastest runner in the land as his personal courier.  To this day, many Games still include a hill race!

According to Scottish folklore, competitive field events originated centuries ago when Scots drilled rigorously to stay in shape for battle. They trained with their everyday work tools. Farmers tossed sheaves, anglers thrust stones and woodcutters hurled logs.  Competitions allowed kings or chiefs to select clan members for specific abilities that could be used for the benefit of the clan. I’ve mentioned some suggestions in the categories below.  As you watch the competitions, think about the possible backgrounds for each one, especially as they might relate to battle.

Games competitions include solo pipes, assembled band piping, dance, light events, and heavy athletics. 

Piping

For Solo Pipers, the grading system is as follows: Amateur Grades 5 (practice chanter), Grade 4 (Jr and Sr), Grade 3, 2, 1 and Professional.  Once you are playing the bagpipe, your first level of competition is Grade 4.  Soloists select a tune that's either a 2/4 March, a Hornpipe/Jig or Medley. Some compete with a more formal piece called the Piobairaechd (pee-brock). This is the “classical music” of the Highland Bagpipe, noted for extended compositions with a melodic theme and elaborate formal variations. 

Sometimes soloists march or move to the music; at other times they stand still and tap a foot. Neither marching style nor uniform is judged, but traditional Highland dress is required of each performer. In the lower grades of solo contests, judges are mainly concerned with technical execution of fingering. The judge wants to see if all of the grace notes are sounded clearly and precisely. Tremendous dexterity is required to do this. With practice, execution improves and other aspects are considered, such as quality of tone and tuning. Expression is also considered, as the judge listens to how tunes flow from one to the next, and how consistently tempos are maintained.

Regional Pipe Bands compete in grades 1-4B, each dressed in their traditional tartans.  Criteria for bands is similar to that for soloists, with a few additional requirements. A judge will be listening for the "attack” of the band, meaning how well the group starts up together. The goal is for every piper to hit the first note at the same time, with a true pitch. The band should sound as one, with well-tuned instruments and steady tempos. At the end of a performance a sharp cutoff, where all pipers cease at once, is highly desired – and somewhat difficult to achieve.

While a competing band is performing, two of the judges will move around the corps listening to tone and unison. They will write down comments about the musical performance, expression and selection of music. Another judge will focus on drumming - how the drum corps performs together, if the bass drum keeps a steady tempo, if the settings are musical and well expressed. Finally, the ensemble judge will see how the two parts of the band’s efforts blend together.

All of this is much more difficult to accomplish than many of our excellent performers today would lead you to believe. For instance, just keeping a bagpipe in tune is a complex and difficult matter. Cane reeds and fluctuations in temperature and humidity make the pipes one of the world's most fickle instruments. Suffice it to say that both individuals and bands spend hours getting instruments to the level where they are ready to compete.

If at all possible, don’t miss the Massed Pipe Bands, often at the end of the Games, where all the bands play together (in “mass grouping”).Light and Heavy Athletics Competition

Light Events

                Light events test speed and stamina. This category includes races, as well as a high jump, long jump, and triple jump.  There are even novice events!

Heavy Athletics

Scottish heavy athletics are a test of brute strength and throwing ability.  They usually include the popular Caber Toss, Scottish Hammer Throw, Stone Put, Weight Over the Bar, and the Tug o’ War.

The Caber Toss: Probably the most recognizable event at the Games, coming to symbolize the Highland Games.  A caber is a tapered tree trunk, up to 20 feet long and weighing as much as 125 lbs. "Ye casting of ye bar” as it was once known consists of grasping the log at the slender end and heaving it up, out, and away so it flips in the air in a semi-circle and lands as near as possible in a straight line from the competitor. It is an art calling not only for extraordinary strength, but also keen balance and timing.

While competitors typically run to keep the pole upright and to gain momentum in the throw, the length of that traveling is unimportant.  This competition is judged on how close to a 12o’clock position the pole lands in. Benefit in battle:  A straight-up position is necessary if the log is being used to cross a river or to mount an attack over a castle wall.

The Scottish Hammer Throw: The hammer is made of a metal ball attached to a long wooden pole.  Weight is 22 pounds for men’s competition, 16 pounds for women’s competition. Competitors use the handle to whirl the hammer around their head and then throw it as far as they can. This competition is judged for distance. Benefit in battle:  Attacking the enemy.

The Stone Put: Competitors throw a large stone of about 20-26 pounds as far as they can. The stone is thrown either after a short run up to the toe board or from a fixed standing position, depending on the rules of the competition. Another event involves a lighter stone weighing 14 pounds, a competition that has evolved into the modern day shot put.   This competition is judged for distance. Benefit in battle:  Attacking the enemy.

Sheaf Toss: Competitors toss a sheaf of hay or a 20-pound sack filled with grain over a raised bar.  This is similar to the Weight Over the Bar listed next. Benefit in battle: The sheaf could be set on fire and tossed up and over a castle wall or onto a rooftop.

Weight Over the Bar:  Competitors throw a 56-pound weight with a handle. It is thrown over a raised bar using just one hand.  With each successful attempt, the bar is raised higher, eliminating the contestants one by one. This competition is judged for distance.  Benefit in battle: Attacking the enemy.

Tug o’ War:  One of the most fiercely contested competitions at the Highland Games. This competition pits the strength of two teams against each other, pulling on opposite ends of the same rope, attempting to pull the opposite team across a line marked midway between them on the ground.   Each team has 8 people pulling on the rope as well as an additional member who shouts encouragement and instructions to spur them on. This competition is for strength and stamina.  Benefit in battle: Teamwork and strength.