Scotland County Highland Games
Encyclopedia
Highland games
Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
, or SCHG, are a Scottish event held in Laurinburg, NC. Each year, the games are held the first weekend of October at the John Blue House and Grounds
John Blue House (Laurinburg, North Carolina)
John Blue House in Laurinburg, North Carolina was built in 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.A unique example of Steamboat Gothic architecture, the John Blue House provides a glimpse into the past of the rural Carolinas.
The home features 12 exterior doors,...
in Laurinburg. The event was started in 2009 after the Flora MacDonald Games in Red Springs, NC were discontinued.
The event fits the area, as Scotland county was settled by Highlander Scots and continues to have one of the largest concentrations of Highland Scots in North America. The games serve as a premier celebration of Scottish and Celtic cultures in the Upper Cape Fear and Pee Dee regions.
The Parade of Tartans
The day begins with an opening ceremony and then the Parade of Tartans. The Parade of Tartans is both a ceremony and honor and includes every clan attending the Games. Each clan sends representatives to parade around the field to “announce” their presence and support. Several piping bandsPipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
also take part. The games typically attract more than 40 different clans each year.
Athletic Games
The games include a wide range of athletic events, a number of which are traditional and uniquely Scottish. Events include the tossing of the caberCaber toss
The caber toss is a traditional Irish athletic event practised at the Irish Highland Games involving the tossing of a large wooden pole called a caber. It is said to have developed from the need to toss logs across narrow chasms to cross them. In Irishtown the caber is usually made from a Larch tree...
, Scottish hammer throw (the hammer is actually a heavy metal “stone” attached to a shaft), and the sheaf toss
Sheaf toss
The sheaf toss is a traditional Scottish agricultural sport event originally contested at country fairs. A pitchfork is used to hurl a burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar above the competitor's head. Typical weight for the bag is 16 pounds . Three chances are given to each...
(Throwing a 20-pound bag of straw straight up using a pitchfork)
Children’s Games and Other Events
The SCHG also provide competition for kids in attendance. Scaled down versions of events are set-up by age groups.Sheep Dog Exhibition
In addition to the athletic competition, a fan favorite is the exhibition of sheep herding with border collies on the playing field. The crowds is captivated by the skill of the collies as they respond to their master and herd the sheep across the field into a defined area.Piping & Drumming
The Scotland County Highland Games hold a full spectrum of EUSPBA sanctioned pipe band and individual piping and drumming competitions. Band competition includes grade III, IV and V bands.Music
On stage music is also part of the festivities. Music ranges from traditional Gaelic and Celtic bands to more progressive bands that merge rock and Celtic sound.Vendors
Numerous vendors selling everything from kilts and other clothing, to swords and daggers. Vendors from throughout the Southeast are on hand to sell their Scottish-themed merchandise.Ceilidh
The annual CeilidhCéilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
is held the Saturday evening of the games at the local vineyard: Cypress Bend Vineyards, which is located in Wagram, NC.