Highland Games and the Gathering of Scottish Clans

The Wild Rover – Rise up your kilt!

Have you ever heard of the song “The Wild Rover”…The chorus goes:

“And it’s no nay, never,

No, nay, never no more, (Rise up your kilt)

Will I play the wild rover,

No, never no more.”

It’s one of the most popular Gaelic hooley pieces in the history of Scottish, Irish and Welsh parties.  

You attend no wedding, pub or gathering without this song being played or sung by the neighbor, the host, the brother or best man at the shindig.  Those of us from the Islands were reared on this piece; and perhaps less than, as eager as our U.S. kin, to hear it again. 

If you’re interested, it’s a story/tune/tale of a man filled with guilt for a wild life spent consuming vast quantities of whiskey and beer, and it is usually sung by some eejit (someone who acts like a gob) who’s just consumed vast quantities of whiskey and beer.

To the Highland Games we go yonder.

Highland games are contests in athletics, dancing, singing and music.  Events like these were first held in the rugged Highlands of northern Scotland.

The largest and most popular festival of this kind in the US is held in July usually.  It takes place at Grandfather Mountain, in North Carolina, and is called Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans.

The grandest Games are held there because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of the 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain tower above grassy green meadows. Down below boasts over 160 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents. The color is augmented by thousands of Scots luxuriously costumed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettledrums echoing across the heathered moors.  I attended many years ago while my husband was stationed in Ft. Stewart, Georgia.  It was memorable.

Like the Irish Fest held on Harriet Island in St. Paul, in August every year, the area is filled with competition and entertainment.  There are all kinds of track and field events, foot races, wrestling, high jumping, broad jumping (long jump) and tug-of-war. But if spring is more your thing with cool temps more conducive to plaid kilts and bankies; the MN Scottish Fair and Highland Games will be in May for 2013 at the Dakota County Fair grounds.

You’ll find yourself stopping to hear the mountains echo with the wail of bagpipes and the thunder of drums.

Not only are there athletic events; there’s highland dancing competition; bagpipe band parades; piping, drumming and harp competitions; sheep herding demonstrations by Scottish border collies and concerts featuring a wide variety of Celtic music.

Whatever Scotland can do, Woodbury can too:

It may not be an Olympic Event just yet… BUT, to wear a jockstrap and reside on the Orkney or Shetland Isles, you’ll need to be well versed in heavy weight events such as “Turning the Caber” and “Tossing the Sheaf.” The first requires an athlete to flip a telephone-pole-sized tree trunk end-over-end, while the second challenges athletes to loft a 16-pound sack of hay over a cross bar more than 20 feet above the ground.

Now, seeing that some of our telephone poles are down due to the construction work on Valley Creek Road, I thought I might suggest the latter games for the locals. And if you’re looking for hay, go no further than east on Valley Creek, north on Manning and you’ll find a farm hand or two with their signs up already. No need to thank me Madam Mayor, Scoggins, and city council members. Consider it my effort of community building. 

Tossing the Hay & Caber at the Stafford Library

First, the good men and women of Woodbury in colorful pleated skirts/kilts perform the Sword Dance, the Scottish Reel and the Highland Fling. Oohhh, where would you suggest?  In the Library Car Park...I don't mind.

“The wrong way always seems the more reasonable”  — Geroge Moore

Borrow a couple of telephone poles (our Capers) from Valley Creek Road and cut them about 20 feet long, and it needs to weigh about 120 to 150 pounds.

We’ll then throw those telephone poles from the car park at the Library, across Radio Drive, and have them land in the License Bureau Bldg. 

In the meantime, prepare the pitchfork to hurl a bail of straw. 

Three chances are given to each competitor to cleanly pitch the bale of hay and have it land squarely upon the tip of the square pyramid in front of the YMCA and Central Park.    It should be a fine test of skill and strength for all strapping Woodbury citizens.

Let’s be Careful — the way it’s done:

The contestant needs to pick up the caber/telephone pole, hold it upright, and stagger off to a running start.  Then toss the telephone pole so that it tumbles end-over-end.  The object of the contest is to toss the pole so that it lands with the bottom, or small end pointing directly away from you in order to get high marks.  You’ll be disqualified if you hit any of those sporty unmarked Dodge Chargers, mind you!!  Don’t let this part stress you out.

Distance has no bearing on the outcome of the event at all.  Three tosses are allowed and all three are scored to determine the winner. This continues until all but one athlete remains.

Other ancient tests of strength awaiting you Brawny professionals in Woodbury:

Hammer Throw

The hammer throw is also a popular test of strength and skill. The hammer weighs 16-22 lbs and is thrown for distance. Three throws allowed but only the longest throw wins.  If any part of the body crosses the toe board, a foul is declared and the throw is nullified. Now, unless your name is Thor, most of us call 20 pound hammers, “Sledge Hammers”.

Weight Toss

A 56 lb weigh is swung between the knees and tossed over the bar using only one hand.  Three misses or touches at the same height means elimination.  The highest toss wins and ties are settled by fewest misses at previous lower heights.

The Best Part …of the Bit of Scotland

After the Scottish Games are all completed, Mass Bands pass in review.  Then, with banners blowing in the breeze, comes the Parade of Tartans. 

On the islands, guys in kilts are eyed.  Stalking around with knives in their socks, their controlled energy, exuberance and astute focus, their sense of being on parade transforms kilted men into powerful figures that attracts women like fleas on dog, whom come dressed themselves with delicious femininity. Everyone treats the event with a sense of occasion and come dressed accordingly.

Here in Woodbury, our high point is 1,063 feet. In Scotland, Mt. Ben Nevis goes 4,400 feet. To the Highlands we go in spirit…The ancestors of the Highlands would be proud.