VIDEO: Take out your kilt for local Scottish festival
If you enjoy all things Scottish this is for you.
If ye be a Scot … it’s time to haul out yer kilt, air it and get ready for the first Highland Games gathering in Gauteng.
In partnership with Scottish Leader, Glenburn Lodge will stage the Highland Games in the Cradle of Humankind on 21 June.
Highland Games, in its original form, centred mainly around “heavy athletics” with events such as tossing-the-caber, carrying the weight and tug-of-war. The Olympic events shot put and hammer throw have their roots in highland heavy athletics.
The heavy athletic statistics are daunting – tossing-the-caber weighing 75kgs, carrying the weight at 74kgs, shot put at 26kgs with tug-of-war and the kilted mile (a race up a steep hill over rough ground) included in the games.
Today, the athletics events of ancient Scotland are central to modern-day gatherings along with the kilt, whisky, haggis, pipe bands and Scottish dancing.
The Scottish Leader games will feature 10 teams competing on the main field – six civilian teams including a team from the Lions Rugby franchise and four military teams. The Muldersdrift Police is also in training and will be sending a team to participate.
The pipe bands of African Skye, Glen Allen, Kempton Park, the National Youth Pipe Band and Pretoria Highlanders will provide the day’s music and there will be craft vendors, a sheep dog display and a military equipment display from the South African National Defence Force.
The official opening of the games will see over 200 competitors and pipers on parade, and the Muldersdrift School choir will sing the national anthem.
Other entertainment include Scottish dance displays, a tea garden hosted by local Rotarians, fascinating displays of herding prowess demonstrated by man’s (and sheep’s) best friend – the Border Collie –, a parade of Triumph vintage cars, and the ever-popular beer tent with Scottish Leader whisky tasting during the day.
Children will be well catered for with a jungle gym, a jumping castle, a slush puppy stand and an ice cream stall.
Ticket prizes are R85 for adults from Computicket, R100 at the gate and R30 for scholars and pensioners.
Visit www.highlandgamessouthafrica.co.za for more details. Gates open at 8am.
For more information contact Brendan Grealy 083 227 2376.
