THROUGHOUT the land, dancers and pipers are rehearsing, athletes and heavy athletes are stepping up their training and Highland games committees are holding meeting after meeting to make sure that everything runs smoothly on their big day.
Highland games have a long and storied history in Scotland. They began as a way for kings and clan chiefs to select their entourage. The fastest runners were chosen to deliver orders or messages and rally the clans, while the strongest men became personal bodyguards. The hammer throw and the shot putt started as Highland sports, and are now part and parcel of the international sporting circuit. The best dancers and pipers were employed to entertain in the chief’s household and compose tunes and dances that exalted the virtues and war victories of the clan.
When not at war, the clans would hold competitions between their athletes, dancers and pipers, who could garner great honours for the clan through their feats. Eventually, whenever there was any large gathering, horse fair or market, games might be held as part of the overall festivities.