The Scottish Highland Games - Then and Now
The games and events held in the Highlands of Scotland were considered a way for males to prove their manhood, but what has changed throughout the years about this famous event?
One of the most famous Scottish traditions, The Highland Games, went through changes in the new era.
In 2020, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Highland Games moved online. The organisers used digital platforms to broadcast the events, so the tradition could go on. The outcome of those changes shows how loved the Games really are.
Discover the story of an old tradition, a story about strength, hard work and entertainment.
The Highland Games are events held in spring and summer in Scotland, as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Image from the Ceres Highland Games.
The Highland Games are events held in spring and summer in Scotland, as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Image from the Ceres Highland Games.
About the history of the Games, Alasdair MacDonald, member of the Scottish Highland Games Association General Council, says: "Since time immemorial, various games, or events, were held in the Highlands of Scotland. Males had to prove their manhood, by lifting and throwing heavyweights.
Clan Chiefs held social ‘Gatherings’ on special occasions like deaths, births, marriages, religious events and other celebrations. These events demonstrated their skills and people were also entertained with traditional music, singing, poetry and dancing.
Over centuries, the military used some of those events for exercise and the traditional social entertainment helped to maintain the morale of those involved.
There is no definitive time when the Highland Games started, as traditions were passed down through word of mouth and were not necessarily written down.
The first known ‘modern’ Highland Games, in the package that we now know them, occurred at the start of the 19th century, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of King George III. Those Games were organised by ‘Glengarry’, the Chief of the Clan MacDonnel and were held on his land, in Glengarry."
About the original Highland Games and how they became more popular, Alasdair MacDonald says: "They were originally local Games and only males competed at them. Today’s Glengarry Games have both male and female competitors, but the events now being held, pretty much mirror the events held at their inaugural Games.
Back in the day, prominent people in high society and land owners, were regular attenders of Highland Games, especially after they were popularised by Queen Victoria. Her interest in Scotland helped to spread the Games nationally and indeed, across the world. "
Horse Racing at the Ceres Highland Games.
Horse Racing at the Ceres Highland Games.
Cycling event at the Highland Games in the past.
Cycling event at the Highland Games in the past.
Probably the most challenging year for the Highland Games and the year that brought in the most changes was 2020.
The Games have been postponed many times last year due to the Coronavirus lockdown, but thanks to the very committed organisers, they managed to deliver the Highland Games virtually, so the people could enjoy them from the comfort of their homes.
Charles Murray explains how the 2020 virtual Games happened: " Last year's game season was probably the most dramatic in the history of the Games, it was cancellations after cancellations, to the extent to which it was an unsent cancellation."
The 2020 events have been at first postponed until 2021. Charles Murray says: "People don't understand the Games, the Games stick on a tradition of hosting events, organising events, this was an outside party coming in with some wonderful ideas, to say the least."
Here is the full interview with Charles Murray:
As the pandemic continues, the upcoming Games of 2021 are uncertain as well.
Ian Grieve, SHGA Secretary, says: " We have over 60 HG members, some did simple flag-raising or solo piping clips on the day of their Games, a number of others did rather more with full-day events of some live clips and some video from previous years, these were primarily on Facebook and YouTube."
If you want to see how the virtual Highland Games took place, here is a video of the Opening Parade:
Video from Braemar Media
About the 2021 Games, Ian Grieve said: " The 2021 season is still very uncertain due to Covid, we hope that some events may be able to go ahead but if not I am sure many of our members will keep our events alive by doing some virtual events again. "
Highland Dancing
Another very well known part of the Highland Games is the Highland Dance, which has also changed with time.
In the past:
Jean Swanson, The Vice President of The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, says: " Often there were 2 or 3 judges. Yes, this panel probably included a former competitive dancer but it could have included a piper who had danced or a person local to that HG who had learned dancing at some point. After a group had danced and sometimes during a dance the judges discussed and often argued the point before coming to a collective decision. This still happens at some Open Games where RSOBHD regulations and guidelines are not followed.
We received coloured flags to go onto the platform to take our bows. Red for 1st, white for 2nd, blue for 3rd. As a juvenile in the late 50’s I witnessed an adult dancer banging a flag down on the judges table and telling him “I’m not taking that”. She obviously thought she deserved the red flag. Well, I think she deserved the red flag too, but not for the same reason as she did. But I digress. To begin with only men and young local girls competed.
Women had to trick their way into competing. A couple of pioneers were: Jenny Douglas at the end of the 19th century who dressed as a male to enter Games and Betty Jessiman, after WW2, entered as B Jessiman at Nairn Games and got to compete because the Games had forgotten to print “Males Only” on their poster. Many more female dancers followed suit. "
Males VS Females:
Jean Swanson continued: " The sex discrimination act in 1975 brought about changes to Highland Games. Prior to this Aberdeen and Aboyne had separate events for male and female dancers with the best male and female dancing off for the overall award.
Aboyne even had male & female judging panels. There were 2 rows of 3 seats. When the men danced, 3 men judged, then when the ladies came on to dance, the male judges sat in the back row and the female judges moved to the front row. It was like musical chairs. The 3 judges in each panel still argued over decisions. Braemar, the Argyllshire Gathering, Glenisla and Pitlochry (in the adults' section) were Games where only men could dance.
In 1969, I was one of 12 women invited to compete in the Ladies section at the Argyllshire Gathering. Then in 1970 Pitlochry allowed women to compete in the adults as well as in the Juveniles. When I was a juvenile I would travel by train from Edinburgh to compete, never realising this is where I would come to live in 1975.
The Sex Discrimination Act also meant that males were no longer barred from dancing Flora McDonald’s Fancy and the Village Maid. These dances were not counted in overall trophies until males could be included! The Act also allowed women to dance at all events, and I was amongst the first women to compete in the open in 1976 at Glenisla and Braemar.
The Braemar committee wanted us to wear trews for the S/Triubhas, but we wouldn’t. Some dancers had borrowed men’s trews but I encouraged them to stay in the kilt! If we had agreed to wear trews, then maybe the committee would expect ladies to wear trews even nowadays. "
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