The Highland Games

We just returned from the 49th Annual Dunedin Highland Games which were held a couple of miles from our house in Highland Park.  I wanted to go to the games last year, but the weather was cold and very wet, so I passed.

The weather did not cooperate yesterday when the city was supposed to host a bagpipe parade; in fact, the parade was a complete wash-out.  I heard it rain during the night also, but this morning dawned a little cool (low 60's) and breezy.  Sunshine was predicted, so we took a chance and went to the games.

Admittance was expensive: $18.00 each, but the money is going for a good cause.  The Games are always the chief fundraiser for the Dunedin City, High School, and Middle School bagpipe bands.  The games also support the very large Scottish community that founded and still lives in the city.

A competitor performs at the solo pipe competition.

We arrived at the high school a little before 10:00 and rode the Jolly Trolly to the park.  So yes, Lindsay, we finally rode the trolly! The Highland Games have something for everyone including athletic competitions, solo pipe judging, sheepherding demonstrations, presentations of the tartans and clans, live concert performances (most of whom included bagpipes as a part of the band), lots of Celtic vendors, and some expensive food.

Young dancers try to place their steps in the correct
place around crossed swords.

After walking around the vendors to get a lay of the land, we stopped to watch the Highland Dance demonstration.  The picture shows some young girls performing the sword dance.  Each step of the dance must land in a specific quadrant of crossed swords.

An athlete prepares to pitch a baled bundle
from the end of a pitchfork above a pole
above his head. Ha.  Scottish fun!

We then went to the athletic area and watched men and women pitch stones, spears, logs, and bundles off of pitchforks.  I guess during the Scottish winters, one must find a way to use the materials on hand to have a little competitive fun.  Most of the sports were a display of strength rather than anything else.  Hurling a 28 pound weight at the end of a chain or throwing a large stone from chin height were two sports on which I and my muscles will take a pass.

Two little girls carry a clan sign while an elderly
gentleman sports a formal military kilt and jacket.

The opening ceremonies at noon included the singing of four national anthems: Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and America.  No on joined the first two, but a contingent of Canadians sitting across from us joined in the third, and the whole crowd sang the fourth.  Then we were treated to the parade of bands and of tartans/ clans.  This covered everyone from toddlers (I never knew they made kilts that small!) to the elderly.

The Dunedin City Bagpipe Band enters the field.

The bagpipe bands ranged from middle school children who did a remarkably good job to well-practiced city bands from Dunedin, Tampa, and Atlanta.  Other than getting a little sunburned, we enjoyed watching them march.

We wasted a dollar on a program that was definitely not being followed by whomever was supposed to organize the events, but we still found enough to keep us busy.  Will I go again?  Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the games, so that might be special.  We had an enjoyable day.  Everything was a little pricy, but in the end the funds are used to support musical education in the city, so our funds are going to a good cause.