Highland Games: Difference between revisions
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It is reported in numerous books and Highland games programs, that King [[Malcolm Canmore]], in the 11th century, summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich (overlooking Braemar)<ref>For a modern day fictional account of this event, see [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/kist/search/display.php?lwe110.dat ''The origins of the Braemar Games Hill Race'', by Les Wheeler]</ref>. Some have seen in this alleged event the origin of today's modern Highland games<ref>The interested reader can consult any number of Highland games web sites, many of which contain a brief sketch on the history of the Highland games themselves. Most will mention this hill climb, some referring to it as a story or legend, others as if it were an established fact and going from there to state just as matter-of-factly that the Highland games as we know them today can be traced back to or owe their origins to this hill climb event. As just one example (among many), the program (and web site) of the [http://www.sshga.org Pacific Northwest Highland Games] states: "One of the first Highland games was held towards the end of the eleventh century, when King Malcolm Canmore . . ." going on from there to recount the story of the hill climb. Webster, in ''Scottish Highland Games'', is not so certain. He recounts the story, labelling it as story, or legend only. Thomas Owen Clancy and Barbara E. Crawford, in the Bibliographical essay to chapter 2 (The Formation of the Scottish Kingdom) of ''The New Penguin History of Scotland'' state: "Little of significance has been written about the eleventh century kingdom otherwise, except on the dispute over the reliability of the early documentary sources. . .". </ref>. | It is reported in numerous books and Highland games programs, that King [[Malcolm Canmore]], in the 11th century, summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich (overlooking Braemar)<ref>For a modern day fictional account of this event, see [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/kist/search/display.php?lwe110.dat ''The origins of the Braemar Games Hill Race'', by Les Wheeler]</ref>. Some have seen in this alleged event the origin of today's modern Highland games<ref>The interested reader can consult any number of Highland games web sites, many of which contain a brief sketch on the history of the Highland games themselves. Most will mention this hill climb, some referring to it as a story or legend, others as if it were an established fact and going from there to state just as matter-of-factly that the Highland games as we know them today can be traced back to or owe their origins to this hill climb event. As just one example (among many), the program (and web site) of the [http://www.sshga.org Pacific Northwest Highland Games] states: "One of the first Highland games was held towards the end of the eleventh century, when King Malcolm Canmore . . ." going on from there to recount the story of the hill climb. Webster, in ''Scottish Highland Games'', is not so certain. He recounts the story, labelling it as story, or legend only. Thomas Owen Clancy and Barbara E. Crawford, in the Bibliographical essay to chapter 2 (The Formation of the Scottish Kingdom) of ''The New Penguin History of Scotland'' state: "Little of significance has been written about the eleventh century kingdom otherwise, except on the dispute over the reliability of the early documentary sources. . .". </ref>. | ||
===Revival . . . or invention?=== | |||
Following the repeal of the [[Act of Proscription]], various Highland Societies, beginning in the 1780s, began to organize around attempts to retain or revive Highland traditions. It was these early efforts that eventually led to the Highland Games as we know them today. | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 11:38, 16 June 2007
Highland games are festivals held throughout the year in Scotland and many other countries of the world as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centered around competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.
History
Games in the Highlands of Scotland
It is reported in numerous books and Highland games programs, that King Malcolm Canmore, in the 11th century, summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich (overlooking Braemar)[1]. Some have seen in this alleged event the origin of today's modern Highland games[2].
Revival . . . or invention?
Following the repeal of the Act of Proscription, various Highland Societies, beginning in the 1780s, began to organize around attempts to retain or revive Highland traditions. It was these early efforts that eventually led to the Highland Games as we know them today.
Notes
- ↑ For a modern day fictional account of this event, see The origins of the Braemar Games Hill Race, by Les Wheeler
- ↑ The interested reader can consult any number of Highland games web sites, many of which contain a brief sketch on the history of the Highland games themselves. Most will mention this hill climb, some referring to it as a story or legend, others as if it were an established fact and going from there to state just as matter-of-factly that the Highland games as we know them today can be traced back to or owe their origins to this hill climb event. As just one example (among many), the program (and web site) of the Pacific Northwest Highland Games states: "One of the first Highland games was held towards the end of the eleventh century, when King Malcolm Canmore . . ." going on from there to recount the story of the hill climb. Webster, in Scottish Highland Games, is not so certain. He recounts the story, labelling it as story, or legend only. Thomas Owen Clancy and Barbara E. Crawford, in the Bibliographical essay to chapter 2 (The Formation of the Scottish Kingdom) of The New Penguin History of Scotland state: "Little of significance has been written about the eleventh century kingdom otherwise, except on the dispute over the reliability of the early documentary sources. . .".