Fun & Sun at the Highland Games!
In a stark contrast to last year’s event, during which one needed to wear scuba gear to be outside during a weekend of torrential rain, Mother Nature blessed the 2014 Gathering with absolutely perfect weather. The fair grounds were bustling all day long with games, events, food, and vendors all contributing to the festive atmosphere. All of the regular events were scheduled, as well as a number of marvellous new demonstrations and workshops.
The Heavy Weight Games are the main attraction at Scots Festivals, and each year these games attract more public interest and athletes, as they compete in these games all around the world.
Heavy Events began with games set up by King Malcolm III of Scotland to select the strongest men in Scotland to serve as his personal bodyguards.
The Heavy Events still use the implements that were used back in days of yore: Blacksmith’s weights, hammers used for driving fence posts, stones from the local rivers and trees.
The weight thrown for distance uses the blacksmith’s weights on chains, and they range in heft from one up to four stone with one stone equal to 14 pounds.
Fred and Anne Hamilton travelled from Truro with three sheep dogs named Georgie, Taffy and Penny, along with a small herd of sheep, to put on a sheep herding display.
The dogs were amazing, and they put on a virtuoso display of their herding talents. Letting one dog work at a time, Fred controlled them with a variety of signals using his voice and hands.
He also carried a cord tied to a stick like a whip….this was not to hit anything but to snap in the air to get a dog’s attention if necessary.
Fred is an 8th generation farmer, and he and his wife Anne have operated Hamilton Sleigh and Wagon Rides in Lowe Onslow for more than 20 years in addition to raising sheep and cattle.
Totally new to the Gathering this year was the archery demonstration and practice organized by the recently formed Twin Rivers Archery Club.
This club is open to both beginners and seasoned archers, and will be a year round club with an indoor location for shoots to be regularly scheduled throughout winter.
The club plans to have regular outdoor events during summer and fall. There is a program for youth, and if you want to join or simply learn more the club has a Facebook page to make contact through, or you may call Kevin Booker.
Dave Green brought a selection of some gorgeous hand crafted re-curve bows he had made from a variety of woods.
A long time bow hunting enthusiast, Dave began his own bows. The yew bow in the phot actually breaks down like a fly rod, with brass fittings on the sections to join together. Even if you don’t want to shoot a bow, the bows are beautiful to look at and handle.
Other gorgeous bows on display were crafted from black ash and osage orange wood.
Many thanks to the organizers and volunteers who brought the games to life this year…No event can succeed without the dedication and effort of the volunteers who all make it happen!
And, as a charming and fun little post script, as I was looking up further information about the heavyweight games I discovered that the Women’s Division Champ, Heidi Lowry, was the former Heidi Parsons. She married fellow thrower Neil Lowry, an example of a romance found during the Highland Games.
As reported in the previous issue of the Blackfly, men and women participating in Highland Games throughout the history of the sport have found it a great way to find a mate for life!
