Kilts Worn at Events: Highland Gatherings


Figure 1.--Although the dance and pipe band competitions are perhaps better known, there are many other competitions at Highland Gatherings. This boy is involved in a drumming competition.

The most well known Highland gatherings are of course held in Scotland. Highland gatherings, however, now held in a large number of countries around the world. These events are perhaps best known for the dancing, pipe bands, and athletic events--that is of course after the sheep dog events. It is not just the dancers and other competitors (athletic and pipe band members) that wear kilts. Scottish men and boys who attend Higland gatherings often wear kilts. Of course the best known are the participants such as the dancers, pipers, and athletic participants that wear them. There are also many other competitions such as those for individual drummers and pipers. Many visitors and not just the competitors wear kilts as well. This is most common in Scotland of course, but also true of the Highland Gatherings in other countries as well, including America and Canada.

History

Traditional games of agility and strength have been practised in the Highlands from early times. Formalisation and annual gatherings began around 1820 as part of the revival of Tartan and Highland Culture encouraged by the Scottish revival. Here Sir Walter Scott played akey role. Even royalty like the Princess Victoria were affected by Scott's poetry and the lore of the Highlands. The Braemar Highland Games in 1848 were attended by Queen Victoria. The competitions by this time had evolved so that they could be familiar to modern visitors to Highland Gatherings. The games included traditional stone and hammer throwing, tossing the caber, piping and dancing along with running and jumping events.

Countries

The most well known Highland gatherings are of course held in Scotland. Highland gatherings, however, now held in a large number of countries around the world. One of the most widely known and popular ethnic event in America is the Higland Gatherings. The Gatherings in Scotland are of course the best known, but Gatherings are held throughout the United States and Canada. More than 100 such events are held in America annually. They are especially common in the South where much of the Scottish immigtation in the late 17th Century was centered. The Gatherimngs are often held in the summer, so the American Highland Gatherings are usually a bit warmer than those held in Scotland. Whether held in Scotland or Anmerica, many of the major events and activities are quite similar. The annual Highland Gathering or Games is as important to the Scotts in communities around America as St. Patrick's Day is to the Irish. Many Gatherings, especially in America, have mock battles between English redcoats and kilt-clad and sword waving Scottish warriors. Of course the Scotts always win these engagements. An annoucement explains, "A Highland charge, and guess who is going to win." A typical Higland Gathering in America might have 60 or more Clans participating. One of the most popular events is the sheep dog trials. Dog owners put their dogs through their paves as an approving audience looks on.

Competitions

These events are perhaps best known for the dancing, pipe bands, and athletic events--that is of course after the sheep dog events. It is not just the dancers and other competitors (athletic and pipe band members) that wear kilts. Scottish men and boys who attend Higland gatherings often wear kilts. Of course the best known are the participants such as the dancers, pipers, and athletic participants that wear them. There are also many other competitions such as those for individual drummers and pipers.

Visitors

Many visitors and not just the competitors wear kilts as well. This is most common in Scotland of course, but also true of the Highland Gatherings in other countries as well, including America and Canada.






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Created: September 18, 2002
Last updated: October 12, 2002